Why does Livry-Gargan hold such a monument to Admiral Louis Jacob? The Monument à l’Amiral Jacob, once standing proudly in Livry-Gargan tells a tale of naval heroism and civic gratitude. Louis Jacob was born in Tonnay-Charente. He died in Livry-Gargan.
Let’s journey back to 1891. The statue of Admiral Jacob was inaugurated on August 16. The chosen scene depicted Jacob’s defense of Rochefort against the English army in 1814. Imagine Jacob at the city council meeting. He declared that he would have anyone shot who spoke of surrendering.
The sculptor Reboul and the founder Thiébaut created the bronze statue. It honored Jacob’s distinguished naval career. Jacob served as Minister of the Navy. He was also a Peer of France and Maritime Prefect of Toulon. He even governed Guadeloupe.
Jacob’s early career was marked by bravery. He was sent to the Antilles and the Indian Ocean. He became a lieutenant at Toulon. He fought valiantly against English ships. Captured and imprisoned, he was later released. He was promoted for his conduct.
In 1798, his ship was seized by the English. He was again taken prisoner. Released before the Peace of Amiens, he joined the Saint-Domingue expedition in 1802. Upon returning to France, Jacob oversaw the construction of a flottilla. He captured enemy ships at the Îles Chausey. He also developed a semaphore signal system adopted by the French Navy.
Appointed commander of the marine in Naples, he aided Joseph Bonaparte. He participated in naval combat. Jacob accompanied Napoleon I on inspections. He commanded the squadron of Île d’Aix. He reorganized coastal defenses.
Promoted to rear admiral, he secured Rochefort in 1814. During the Hundred Days, he became maritime prefect at Lorient. The Second Restoration initially sidelined him. He later commanded squadrons in Naples and Martinique.
As governor of Guadeloupe, Jacob faced devastating hurricanes. The hurricane of 1825 destroyed the governor’s residence. He allowed foreign ships carrying supplies to dock without taxes. This enabled reconstruction efforts.
Upon his return, he became vice-admiral. He organized expeditions to Morée and Algeria. After the July Revolution, he aligned with the new monarchy. He was made a Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. He also became a Peer of France.
Serving briefly as Minister of the Navy, his tenure was unremarkable. Later, he became aide-de-camp to Louis-Philippe I. Retiring from public life, he lived in Livry-Gargan. He died there in 1854.
Jacob bequeathed 100,000 francs to build free schools. The town erected a statue in his honor. Sadly, the Germans removed this statue during World War II. Today, only a plaque and an anchor remain. They mark his contributions.
The Monument à l’Amiral Jacob is gone. Yet his legacy endures. It lives on through historical records and the gratitude of Livry-Gargan. The monument may be lost but the memory of Admiral Jacob remains.