US Naval Officer. He joined France's Navy in 1748 and saw combat in the Seven Years' War. In 1777 he offered to aid the United States during the Revolution and commanded Alliance, one of the US Navy's first warships. In 1779 he sailed to France to transport Marquis de Lafayette to the United States. Shortly afterwards, Landais put into port claiming he had put down a mutiny. Convinced of his instability, Benjamin Franklin, America's envoy in France, attempted to remove him, writing "if I had 20 ships of war at my disposition, I should not give one of them to Captain Landais," but he remained in command. That October, believing that Alliance was part of his squadron, John Paul Jones led Bonhomme Richard against the British ship Serapis. Jones won, and alleged that Landais kept Alliance out of the fight, intending to sink Serapis himself and claim the glory after Jones' ship was destroyed, and that Landais had fired at Bonhomme Richard on purpose. Landais claimed he was not under Jones' command and not obligated to aid him. Despite renewed calls for his dismissal, Landais retained command, but in 1781 his crew mutinied and he was discharged. He then resumed his career in France, becoming a Rear Admiral in 1793. After leaving the French Navy he returned to the United States, living in retirement in Brooklyn. In 1818 he became ill, chose a grave at St. Patrick's and ordered a tombstone. He was not heard of again, so the marker was engraved to indicate that he had disappeared in June 1818. In fact, he lived for two more years and died at Bellevue Hospital. Landais was buried at St. Patrick's, but his stone's inscription was never changed.
US Naval Officer. He joined France's Navy in 1748 and saw combat in the Seven Years' War. In 1777 he offered to aid the United States during the Revolution and commanded Alliance, one of the US Navy's first warships. In 1779 he sailed to France to transport Marquis de Lafayette to the United States. Shortly afterwards, Landais put into port claiming he had put down a mutiny. Convinced of his instability, Benjamin Franklin, America's envoy in France, attempted to remove him, writing "if I had 20 ships of war at my disposition, I should not give one of them to Captain Landais," but he remained in command. That October, believing that Alliance was part of his squadron, John Paul Jones led Bonhomme Richard against the British ship Serapis. Jones won, and alleged that Landais kept Alliance out of the fight, intending to sink Serapis himself and claim the glory after Jones' ship was destroyed, and that Landais had fired at Bonhomme Richard on purpose. Landais claimed he was not under Jones' command and not obligated to aid him. Despite renewed calls for his dismissal, Landais retained command, but in 1781 his crew mutinied and he was discharged. He then resumed his career in France, becoming a Rear Admiral in 1793. After leaving the French Navy he returned to the United States, living in retirement in Brooklyn. In 1818 he became ill, chose a grave at St. Patrick's and ordered a tombstone. He was not heard of again, so the marker was engraved to indicate that he had disappeared in June 1818. In fact, he lived for two more years and died at Bellevue Hospital. Landais was buried at St. Patrick's, but his stone's inscription was never changed.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Inscription
A La Memoire de Pierre de Landais, Ancien Centre Admiral au service Des Etats Unis. Qui disparut June, 1818, ae 87 ans.
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