Series 17: Letters from Charles Baudin to Joseph Ransonnet

SAFE/MLMSS 10275/Box 3/Folder 7

series

1840-[1846?]

9650193

1 folder of textual material

Charles Baudin (1784-1854) served as a midshipman on the Géographe in the Baudin expedition (unrelated to the expedition’s commander). On his return to France, he was one of the naval officers to gain seniority during the Napoleonic Wars. He lost an arm during a battle in 1808 while serving in the Indian Ocean. He rose to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1838, notably seeing action at the Battle of Veracruz in the “Pastry War” against Mexico. His later career saw him briefly deployed to South America, before he returned to run the important French naval base at Toulon. In 1848, he took over the French Mediterranean Fleet, and was promoted to Admiral not long before his death.

Jacques Joseph Ransonnet (1778-1862) joined the Naturaliste on the Baudin voyage as a midshipman 2nd class, later promoted to acting sub-lieutenant. Ransonnet transferred to the Casuarina at Timor in May 1803 coming under the direct command of Louis de Freycinet. He later sailed with Henri de Freycinet on the Phaéton, was wounded in battle, taken prisoner and released in a prisoner exchange. Both Freycinets remained firm friends with Ransonnet thereafter. He lived to be the last surviving member of the Baudin voyage.

Reference:
Compiled from the Library's acquisition file

ITEM 1
Autograph letter signed, from Charles Baudin to Joseph Ransonnet, 9 May 1840

ITEM 2
Autograph letter signed, from Charles Baudin to Joseph Ransonnet in Paris, 19 May 1840

ITEM 3
Autograph letter signed, from Charles Baudin to Joseph Ransonnet, sent from Toulon, 12 May 1842

ITEM 4
Autograph letter signed, from Charles Baudin to Joseph Ransonnet, sent from Toulon, 4 November 1842

ITEM 5
Autograph letter signed, from Charles Baudin to Joseph Ransonnet, sent from Toulon, 20 February [1846?]

Chronological

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales