Casabianca

Casabianca, Louis (1755-1798), a French sailor, born in Corsica, who, as a naval officer, was actively employed in the French fleet which aided the cause of American Independence. At the revolution he for a time mixed in politics, but as soon as possible quitted them for his more congenial element, the sea, and was appointed to command the man-of-war L' Orient. At the battle of Aboukir, after the death of his admiral, whose flag was on the Aboukir, he first secured the safety of his crew, and then blew up his ship. His little son would not leave him, and died with him. This incident has been celebrated by the French poets Lebrun and Chenier, and, with a modification of the incidents, by Mrs. Hemans.