Hamelin

Hamelin, Ferdinand Alphonse, French seaman, born in 1796, was the son of a naval officer who distinguished himself during the wars of Napoleon. He for a time commanded the French fleet in the Black Sea in 1854, and in 1855 was made Minister of Marine. He held that appointment, save during two short intervals, till 1860, and, having reached the rank of full admiral, died in 1864.