Siméon Bourgeois
Encyclopedia
Siméon Bourgois was a 19th-century French Navy
vice-admiral who was especially involved in the development of early submarines. He was born in Thionville
, Lorraine
, on March 26, 1815, and died in Paris on December 24, 1887.
He held the rank of captain
when he presented together with Bourdelle his project for the submarine
Plongeur
in 1858, and when he created the plans in 1860, under the code name Q00. Plongeur was the world's first submarine to be propelled by mechanical (by opposition to human) power.
He later became a vice-admiral
and was influential in the development of the French "Jeune Ecole" ("Young school") school of thought which promoted a modern Navy based on small, powerful units using new technologies. He was a pioneer in the development of the ship screw in France, and became the president of the first Commission for Submarine Defense.
From 1870 to 1872, Siméon Bourgois was Commander of the Naval Division of the Western Coasts of Africa, becoming the Colonial head of Gabon
("Colony of Gorée
and Dependencies"), succeeding to Victor Auguste Duperré at this post. Bourgeois launched in 1872 the first program to develop torpedo boats in the French Navy.He posthumously published a book in 1888, "Le Torpilleur" ("The torpedo boat"). Among other things, he also wrote in the magazine "Nature" an article titled "De l'effet de l'huile pour calmer l'agitation de la mer" ("About the effect of oil to calm the agitation of the sea").
A long-range submarine was named in his honour, L' Amiral Bourgois hull number Q 082. This submarine was launched on November 25, 1912. The grandson of Siméon Bourgois, Pierre Bourgois, was a hero of the French Resistance
during the Second World War.
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
vice-admiral who was especially involved in the development of early submarines. He was born in Thionville
Thionville
Thionville , is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. The city is located on the left bank of the river Moselle, opposite its suburb Yutz.-Demographics:...
, Lorraine
Lorraine (province)
The Duchy of Upper Lorraine was an historical duchy roughly corresponding with the present-day northeastern Lorraine region of France, including parts of modern Luxembourg and Germany. The main cities were Metz, Verdun, and the historic capital Nancy....
, on March 26, 1815, and died in Paris on December 24, 1887.
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
when he presented together with Bourdelle his project for the submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
Plongeur
Plongeur
Plongeur was a French submarine launched on 16 April 1863. She was the first submarine in the world to be propelled by mechanical power....
in 1858, and when he created the plans in 1860, under the code name Q00. Plongeur was the world's first submarine to be propelled by mechanical (by opposition to human) power.
He later became a vice-admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
and was influential in the development of the French "Jeune Ecole" ("Young school") school of thought which promoted a modern Navy based on small, powerful units using new technologies. He was a pioneer in the development of the ship screw in France, and became the president of the first Commission for Submarine Defense.
From 1870 to 1872, Siméon Bourgois was Commander of the Naval Division of the Western Coasts of Africa, becoming the Colonial head of Gabon
Colonial heads of Gabon
See below for continuation 1886 to 17 August 1960For continuation after independence, see: Heads of State of Gabon-See also:*Gabon**Heads of State of Gabon*Lists of incumbents...
("Colony of Gorée
Gorée
Île de Gorée Île de Gorée Île de Gorée (i.e. "Gorée Island"; is one of the 19 communes d'arrondissement (i.e. "commune of arrondissement") of the city of Dakar, Senegal. It is a island located at sea from the main harbor of Dakar ....
and Dependencies"), succeeding to Victor Auguste Duperré at this post. Bourgeois launched in 1872 the first program to develop torpedo boats in the French Navy.He posthumously published a book in 1888, "Le Torpilleur" ("The torpedo boat"). Among other things, he also wrote in the magazine "Nature" an article titled "De l'effet de l'huile pour calmer l'agitation de la mer" ("About the effect of oil to calm the agitation of the sea").
A long-range submarine was named in his honour, L' Amiral Bourgois hull number Q 082. This submarine was launched on November 25, 1912. The grandson of Siméon Bourgois, Pierre Bourgois, was a hero of the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
during the Second World War.