The directory «Plots»

Bart Jean
(1651—1702)

Jean Bart was a French naval commander and privateer. His birth name was most probably Jan Baert.
Born in Dunkirk as the son of a simple fisherman, Bart served when young in the Dutch navy under De Ruyter.
When war broke out between Louis XIV and the United Provinces in 1672 he entered the French service, as one of the Dunkirk Privateers. He gained great distinction in the Mediterranean, where he held an irregular sort of commission, unable due to his low birth to receive a command in the navy.
He had such success, however, that he became a lieutenant in 1679. He rose rapidly to the rank of captain and then to that of admiral.
He achieved his greatest successes during the War of the Grand Alliance (1688 - 1697).
• In 1689, in the beginning of this war he was captured by the English , together with Forbin , and taken to Plymouth. But 3 days later, they succeeded in escaping to Brittany in a rowing boat, together with 20 other sailors.
• In 1691 he slipped through the blockade of Dunkirk, terrorizing the allied merchant fleet and burning a Scottish castle and four villages.
• In 1694 he achieved his greatest success in the Action of 29 June 1694 , when he captured a huge convoy of Dutch grain ships, saving Paris from starvation.
• In 1696 he struck another blow against the Dutch in the Battle of Dogger Bank (1696).
The Peace of Ryswick (1697) put a close to his active service.

France, 1945, Bart statue in Dunkirk

France, 1958, Jean Bart

France, 1958.06.07, Dunkirk. Jean Bart

France, 2002, Jean Bart

France, 2002, Jean Bart

France, 2002, Jean Bart

France, 2003, Jean Bart statue

France, 2005, Jean Bart statue

France, 2008, Jean Bart statue