“Who was La Pérouse?” I ask you standing here at Square La Pérouse. This square bears the name of Jean-François de Galaup. He was the Comte de La Pérouse. La Pérouse was born near Albi in France. He disappeared around 1788 near Vanikoro.
La Pérouse was a French naval officer and explorer. He came from a noble family. He joined the Royal Navy during the Seven Years’ War. He saw action in North America and the West Indies. Chevalier de Ternay mentored him. La Pérouse was at the siege of Louisbourg in 1758. He fought in the Battle of the Cardinals. Wounded, he was captured by the British. Later, he was exchanged.
After the Treaty of Paris, La Pérouse escorted ships. He spent five years on Île-de-France now Mauritius. There, he met his future wife. Back in France, he became a lieutenant and received the Saint-Louis Cross. During renewed hostilities, he fought the British in the West Indies. He captured two British forts in Hudson Bay. His maritime and military skills shone.
King Louis XVI chose La Pérouse to lead an expedition around the world. He was to complete James Cook’s Pacific discoveries. La Pérouse commanded this voyage. It disappeared at Vanikoro in 1788 three years after leaving Brest. A rescue mission led by Vice-Admiral d’Entrecasteaux failed.
Peter Dillon found wreckage from L’Astrolabe in 1826. Jules-Sébastien-César Dumont d’Urville confirmed it in 1828. Reece Discombe identified La Boussole’s wreckage in 1964.
Born in Albigeois, La Pérouse came from a noble family. The Galaup family prospered. They became nobles during the pastel trade boom. They held legal and administrative roles in Albi. La Pérouse studied at a Jesuit college.
At fifteen, La Pérouse joined the Naval Guard in Brest. He added La Pérouse to his name after a family land. His relative, Marquis Clément de Taffanel de La Jonquière, encouraged him. During his studies, he fought in the Seven Years’ War. He served under Chevalier de Ternay.
In 1783, La Pérouse married Louise Éléonore Broudou. She was the sister of Fréderic Broudou. He perished with La Pérouse. The couple had no children. La Pérouse’s skills made him the perfect choice. He would lead an expedition to complete Cook’s discoveries. Before leaving, he gathered maps and travel logs.
His ships, La Boussole and L’Astrolabe, left Brest. They sailed to Concepcion Chile. La Pérouse visited Easter Island. He discovered Maui in the Sandwich Islands Hawaii. He sailed along the American west coast. He reached Monterey California. Crossing the Pacific, he entered Macau. He sailed to Manila Bay. He discovered the strait between Yeso and Sakhalin. It now bears his name. He stopped at Kamchatka. There, he received a promotion.
La Pérouse sailed to Tutuila Samoa. He continued to the Friendly Islands Tonga. He arrived at Botany Bay Australia. The frigates wrecked near the Santa Cruz Islands.
Many places honor La Pérouse. There is the La Pérouse Strait. There is also La Pérouse Bay on Easter Island. A lunar crater bears his name. Three French Navy ships were named after him.
Even Louis XVI thought of him. The king’s last words before his execution were about La Pérouse.
So, as you wander this square remember the explorer. Remember the Comte de La Pérouse.