A first hand account of life in the French Revolutionary navy. A French view of the English at sea. Son of a painter-engraver, Garneray was one of the rare French seamen who wrote openly about the disappointing naval strategy of the French Revolutionary government and sometimes frightening conditions in the life of a seamen privateer.

At sea or on the prison hulks, he sketched and painted what he saw. In 1814, on returning home, his artistic talents were quickly recognised and he became painter to the Grand Admiral of France in 1817 - a precursor of today's official Peintres de la Marine.

Roland Wilson has translated the first part of Garneray's years at sea and in the introduction gives an impression of Garneray the man, as well as a general picture of the French Republican navy. Using sources in France and Britain, some useful chapter notes are provided to help assess the importance of the memoirs.

The book is an invaluable source of influences on Garneray the artist.

"This spirited translation captures exactly the 'rattling good yarn' tone of the original."
David Hopkin, Journal Maritime Research

"Compared to the vast literature on Nelson's navy, the story from the French side is sparse. This book is a welcome addition to this literature."
Faye Kert, The Northern Mariner 

Further notes

Alongside the vast literature on Nelson's navy, the French side of the story is somewhat thin. At the risk of exposing the French navy's inglorious approach, Garneray helps to redress the balance. He illustrates all the main aspects of the French presence in the Indian Ocean, covering conditions in the navy, the rise of privateering, the ambiguous status of neutrals especially the Danes, and the dubious assistance of French allies such as Spain.

In his writing as well as in his paintings, Garneray had an eye for detail and gave his readers a graphic, sometimes humorous picture of the strange customs he encountered in his travels.

From the Inside Flap

Louis Garneray joined the Republican navy in 1796 at the age of thirteen. Three years later he was a member of the crew of the famous French privateer Robert Surcouf, operating in the Indian Ocean. He was captured in 1806 and spent the next eight years on the prison hulks in Portsmouth harbour.

Garneray was one of the rare French seamen who wrote openly about the disappointing naval strategy of the French Revolutionary government and the brutal conditions governing the life of a seaman privateer.

From the Back Cover

"There is no record of these naval feats of arms in the ministry of the Navy and after my death, they will be lost to history." from a letter by Louis Garneray accompanying his request to the Ministere de l'Instruction Publique for publication of his memoirs in 1848

About the Author

Roland Wilson has a lifetime interest in maritime history. He has lived in Paris for twenty years and works as a freelance translator.  

Excerpted from Seaman Garneray: Voyages, Aventures Et Combats by Louis Garneray, Roland Wilson. Copyright (c) 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

I was born in Paris on the 9th February 1783. My father was a painter whose name is honourably mentioned amongst the lives of contemporary artists and it was intended that I should follow his career. However, I felt an irresistible urge towards voyages and adventures as well as a lust for glory - feelings, I must add, which were shared by the younger generation of those days. This enthusiasm, which stirred me by day and night with thoughts and dreams of sea-battles, was clean contrary to my father's wishes.

I was barely thirteen and a half years old when I declared my resolution to embark on a seaman's career. So forcefully did I urge this that I finally gained my father's approval, or rather dragged it out of him.

ISBN:1902831632