Pierre Morpain facts for kids

Pierre Morpain (born around 1686 – died 1749) was a brave French sea captain. He was also a privateer, which means he was a private ship owner allowed by his government to attack enemy ships during wartime. He sailed mostly in the West Indies and along the coast of Acadia (now Nova Scotia). Morpain became famous for his successful privateering during wars like Queen Anne's War and King George's War. He once arrived at Port Royal, the capital of Acadia, with captured supply ships right when the town desperately needed help. Later in his life, he helped defend Fortress Louisbourg during a big battle in 1745.

Early Adventures at Sea

Pierre Morpain was born in Blaye, a town in southwestern France, around 1686. His parents died when he was young. By 1703, he was already working on ships. In 1706, he became the captain of a ship called the Intrépide. He was based in the West Indies and had orders to stop British ships.

In 1707, Morpain sailed north to New England. There, he captured two ships filled with valuable supplies. At that time, France and England were fighting in Queen Anne's War. Morpain headed for the closest safe port, which was Port Royal, the main town in Acadia.

What Morpain didn't know was that an English force had just tried to capture Port Royal and then left. The town badly needed supplies. Morpain generously gave his captured goods to the town. The governor of Acadia, Daniel d'Auger de Subercase, was very grateful. The governor asked Morpain to stay because he feared another attack. The English did return in late August. Morpain and his crew helped the Acadians fight them off.

After returning to the West Indies, Morpain was given command of a naval ship. In 1709, he sailed north again to continue privateering near New England and Acadia. While there, he married Marie-Joseph de Chauffours, whose father was an Acadian settler. Morpain was very successful as a privateer. He became well-known to both French leaders and New England sailors.

Morpain later settled in Plaisance, Newfoundland, with his wife. He continued his privateering work. In 1711, a French and Indigenous force tried to capture Annapolis Royal (formerly Port Royal). They needed weapons and supplies to attack the fort. Morpain loaded his ship with what they needed and sailed to meet them. However, his ship met a large British naval group and was captured after a three-hour battle. Morpain was held in St. John's but was released in 1712. He then returned to France for a year.

Leading Defenses at Louisbourg

In 1715, Morpain was given an important job. He became the port captain for what would become Fortress Louisbourg on Île-Royale (now Cape Breton Island). He arrived the next year and oversaw the building of the port facilities. He also managed all the ship traffic in the area, learning the local waters very well. By the 1740s, he was even teaching navigation to sailors in the colony.

When King George's War started in 1744, Morpain again sailed against British ships. His reputation was so strong that just hearing about "Morepang" was enough to keep enemy merchant ships in port.

However, conditions at Louisbourg were difficult. The soldiers there were very unhappy, and the governor, Louis Du Pont Duchambon, faced a mutiny (a rebellion by soldiers) in December 1744. In May 1745, a British force arrived to attack Louisbourg. Governor Duchambon had to rely on Morpain to lead the defenses because he couldn't trust many of his own officers.

Morpain wanted to aggressively stop the British from landing at Gabarus Bay, south of the fort. He led a small force to try and prevent their landing. However, he arrived after the British had already set up a small base. In the fight that followed, Morpain was wounded, but he managed to get back to the fortress.

Morpain then bravely directed the defense of the fortress during the entire siege. Both the French and British admired his strong defense. After the British won, Morpain was sent back to France. When Île-Royale was returned to the French after the war, Morpain was offered his naval job at Louisbourg again. However, he died in Rochefort, France, in August 1749, before he could return to North America.