Dear members,

You will find attached the presentation given at our General Meeting.

If you would like to receive the full meeting (including, for example, some interventions made live during the session, particularly from the City of Albi), please let me know at this address: laperouse-france.org. The duration is approximately three hours.

Please note that for certain topics discussed (such as “Odyssée des Lumières”), specific files are available for your reference.

The President and the members of the Board of Directors thank all those who took part in this General Meeting, whether by attending in Albi, joining via video conference, or voting (by proxy or by post).

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

The post Minutes of the General Assembly Meeting of May 22, 2026 appeared first on ALAF.

On Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, on the occasion of Escale à Sète 2026, the Association Lapérouse Albi France (ALAF) was honored to be invited aboard the Sudarshini, the majestic Indian Navy training vessel present at the event.

For the first time, India officially took part in the in order to share the richness of its maritime culture with the public, notably through the presence of the prestigious training ship INS Sudarshini, as well as a stand hosted by the crew and dedicated to the promotion of Indian maritime heritage.

Our president Jean-Marie Pestel and Natacha Abriat had the opportunity to discover this iconic vessel and to exchange with several members of the crew in a particularly warm and friendly atmosphere.

The INS Sudarshini, “सुदर्शिनी”, whose name means “beautiful woman” in Sanskrit, is a three-masted sailing ship built to promote traditional navigation and to represent India’s maritime heritage around the world. Its presence at attracted great interest from visitors.

This encounter particularly moved the members of the Association Lapérouse Albi France through its cultural and human openness. It echoes the very spirit of the great maritime expeditions led by Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse: the discovery of the world, dialogue between peoples, scientific curiosity, as well as the transmission of maritime knowledge and traditions.

Through this visit, we were able to discover another perspective on naval heritage and realize how maritime traditions form a universal language that connects cultures and generations.

The Association Lapérouse Albi France warmly thanks the crew of the INS Sudarshini for their hospitality and kindness, as well as the organizers of for this invitation and these enriching exchanges.

A memorable experience that will remain one of the highlights of our participation in Escale à Sète 2026.

If our participation in events of this kind inspires you and you would like to help promote the legacy of the famous explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, feel free to join the Association Lapérouse Albi France.

By joining Association Lapérouse Albi France (ALAF), you will become part of a team of enthusiasts dedicated to promoting maritime history, exploration, and the heritage linked to Lapérouse.

Your support helps keep alive the memory of this great navigator and to pass on to future generations the story of this remarkable man.

Join the association : https://www.laperouse-france.org/en/join-renew/

You can also connect with and chat with the community on the association’s Discord, a new space for discussion and sharing for enthusiasts of history and exploration.

Join the Discord : https://discord.gg/6sqHxpAM

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

The post ALAF invited aboard the Indian ship Sudarshini appeared first on ALAF.

A major maritime gathering

An attractive and interactive stand

On this occasion, we welcomed 5,000 visitors over five days.

With many activities appreciated by the public:

• Multiple-choice quizzes with three levels of difficulty and rewards for all participants.

• An introduction to the use of a sextant by our members,

• Participation of the members of the Castries association, who made the period costumes.

• The presentation of Olivier Gavignaud’s AI film project “L’Odyssée des Lumières”.

• Lecture by our president: Lapérouse in Hudson Bay — article to follow.

The activities we offered generated strong interest and led to many enriching exchanges with visitors.

Our participation in Escale à Sète took place in collaboration with the Association of Friends of the Château de Castries, which welcomed us and made part of its stand available to us. From the preparation of the event onwards, our proposals (conferences, educational workshops, exhibition panels, and activities) were selected and integrated into the joint program.

During a working meeting, we agreed that the central part of the stand would be dedicated to the sailors of Languedoc as part of the 400th anniversary of the Navy.

Communication and new encounters

Our presence at Escale à Sète also helped improve the visibility of the association. We distributed presentation cards for our association, directing people to our website as well as to the association’s Discord channel.

The press reported on our participation, notably Tarn Libre: https://www.letarnlibre.com/actualite-12524-albi-laperouse-fait-escale-a-sete, as well as the official Escale à Sète 2026 Twitter account.

Our association was also featured on Facebook during Escale à Sète 2026: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C2UYLxd1o

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the Occitanie Region and the City of Albi for their help and support, as well as to Natacha Abriat, who enabled us to obtain this stand and to fully enjoy the various attractions of this event.We would also like to especially thank the Association of Friends of the Château de Castries, which kindly made part of its stand available to us free of charge and allowed us to sell our various products.We also salute the dedication of our many members, who contributed to the smooth running of our activities.

If our participation in events like this inspires you and you would like to help promote the legacy of the famous navigator Jean-François de Lapérouse, feel free to join the Association Lapérouse Albi France.

By joining (ALAF), you will become part of a team of enthusiasts committed to promoting maritime history, exploration, and the heritage linked to Lapérouse.

Your support helps keep the memory of this great navigator alive and to pass on the history of this great man to future generations.

Join the association: https://www.laperouse-france.org/en/join-renew/

You can also find and interact with the community on the association’s Discord, a new space for discussion and sharing for enthusiasts of history and exploration.

Join the le Discord : https://discord.gg/qqnB7syyBQ

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

Article written by Nicolas Gosset

The post Our Escale à Sète 2026 appeared first on ALAF.

The Lapérouse Albi France Association (ALAF) is currently supporting an original work: The Odyssey of Lights, a visual and musical evocation of Lapérouse’s 1785 expedition.

Conceived by the composer Olivier Gavignaud, this work offers a visual reconstruction created with the help of artificial intelligence and an immersive staging that recreates the geographical and historical settings of this universal voyage, supported by an original symphonic musical composition.

The project is under the patronage of Laurent Petitgirard, Permanent Secretary of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

The Astrolabe and the Boussole sailing on the waves.

A testament to the global interest in this great historical figure, the project has reached a major milestone across the Atlantic. Through the initiative of philanthropist Marc Onetto, The Odyssey of Lights has been approved by the Friends of Fondation de France à New York.

This recognition now makes it possible to bring together American donors around the humanist dimension of the expedition. It also forms part of several commemorations along the route of the expedition, notably the restoration of the Lapérouse Memorial in Maui (Hawaii), where a sequence from the work will be presented next May under the auspices of the French Embassy.

Lapérouse and Paul-Antoine Fleuriot de Langle.

By joining this initiative, you place your support within an exceptional French dynamic.

400 Years of the French Navy’ Label: the work takes part in official commemorations, with planned screenings at the major maritime gatherings in Sète and Brest.

Albi’s influence: the project aligns directly with the long-term vision of Escale Lapérouse, enhancing the city’s cultural and tourist appeal.

The Meeting at Maouna (Tutuila)

By becoming a patron of ALAF for this project, you will contribute to:

The promotion of Albi’s heritage through an innovative artistic form, combining technology and creativity.

The promotion of contemporary creation and the cultural influence of France.

The passing on of history to younger generations.

The crossing of Cape Horn.

ALAF is authorized to issue tax receipts allowing for a tax deduction:

Individuals: 66% of the donation deductible from income tax.

Companies: 60% of the donation deductible from corporate tax.

The scientists of Lapérouse’s expedition conducting scientific measurements on Mount Teide in Tenerife.

If this project inspires you and you wish to help keep the memory of the famous navigator alive, do not hesitate to join the Lapérouse Albi France association.

By joining ALAF, you will become part of a team of passionate individuals committed to promoting maritime history, exploration, and the heritage associated with Lapérouse.

Your support helps keep the memory of this great navigator alive and pass on his story to future generations.

Join the association: https://www.laperouse-france.org/en/join-renew/

You can also connect and interact with the community on the association’s Discord, recently launched as a new space for discussion and sharing for enthusiasts of history and exploration.

See you soon, sailor!

Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/qqnB7syyBQ

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

Article written by Nicolas Gosset

The post Become a patron of «The Odyssey of Lights». appeared first on ALAF.

Discord logo wearing an 18th-century naval hat, created by an AI.

Good news for all enthusiasts of exploration, history, and adventure: the official Discord server of the Lapérouse Albi France Association (ALAF) is now online!

This space was created as a place to meet and exchange ideas for members, the curious, and anyone who wishes to follow or take part in the association’s activities. Whether you are a young explorer in the making or a passionate historian, you will find a place here to discuss, learn, and share.

A server organized to explore together

Le Discord a été organisé en plusieurs espaces pour faciliter la navigation et permettre à chacun de trouver rapidement ce qui l’intéresse :

Home

A welcome channel to greet new members
A space to introduce yourself, get to know the community, and take your first steps on the server.

Server Rules
The principles of respect and good conduct that allow everyone to interact in a pleasant and constructive atmosphere.

An announcements channel to stay updated
Server news, association announcements, and important information you don’t want to miss.

Voice Channels

General Voice Channel

An open voice space for all members to chat freely in real time. It’s the perfect place to have spontaneous conversations, meet other history and exploration enthusiasts, or simply enjoy a friendly moment together.

ALAF Meeting Voice Channel

A channel dedicated to association meetings. It allows members to gather to organize projects, plan activities, and hold more structured discussions around ALAF initiatives.

General Chat

A general chat channel
The heart of the server: a place to chat freely, exchange ideas, and share your interests.

Conversations about history and exploration
A space to talk about great expeditions, explorers, maritime history, and scientific discoveries.

A space to discuss ongoing projects
A channel to follow the progress of the association’s projects and talk about initiatives in development.

Projects and Research

A channel to share project ideas.
A place to propose new ideas, imagine initiatives, and collaboratively build the projects of tomorrow.

A space dedicated to research and discoveries.
To share information, documents, research leads, and deepen our knowledge.

A channel for the work team.
A coordination space for members involved in organizing and carrying out projects.

Creation and Media

Photo Sharing
A channel for sharing images related to the association’s exploration, history, or activities.

Artistic Creations
A space to showcase drawings, illustrations, or creations inspired by adventure and discovery.

Videos and Documentaries
To share inspiring videos, historical documentaries, or educational content.

Association Life

Access to the Official Website
A direct link to the resources and information available on the association’s website.

Articles and Lectures
A space to share articles, lectures, and content related to history and explorations.

Expedition Information
Learn how to participate in projects and get involved in the association’s initiatives.

Events and Activities

An Events Calendar
Keep track of meetings, gatherings, and events organized by the community.

Activities and Challenges
Fun challenges, games, and activities to learn while having a great time.

Meeting and Conference Rooms
Voice channels to host discussions, meetings, or conferences.

Participation and Collaboration

A Space for Volunteers
A channel dedicated to those who want to help and get involved in the association’s projects.

Partnerships
A space to discuss collaborations with other associations, institutions, or enthusiasts.

Suggestions, Feedback, and Polls
A space to suggest improvements, share your opinion, and participate in community decisions.

Relaxation

Quiz Zone
Quizzes and games to test your knowledge of history, exploration, and many other topics.

A Space for Creations and Sharing
A friendly place to freely share your passions, inspirations, and discoveries.

Puzzles and Riddles
Riddles and challenges to spark curiosity and the spirit of exploration.

A place to share and keep the spirit of exploration alive.

This Discord is dedicated to fostering the spirit of discovery and sharing that inspires ALAF.
Here, you can discuss maritime history, travel, research, or just connect with fellow enthusiasts.

We hope this new space will become a true meeting point for the community, in the spirit of great scientific expeditions: curiosity, cooperation, and discovery.

Join us and embark on the adventure!

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

https://discord.gg/qqnB7syyBQ

Article written by Nicolas Gosset

The post The Discord of the Lapérouse Albi France association is now available online! appeared first on ALAF.

We are pleased to announce that ALAF has officially received the 400th anniversary of the French Navy label. This recognition marks our association’s commitment to this major national celebration.

Thanks to this certification, we now have access to official resources such as the 400th anniversary of the French Navy charter, official logos, and an explanatory flyer about the certification process. These tools will allow us to promote our actions in full compliance with the event’s guidelines.

The 400th anniversary of the French Navy represents a major milestone for French maritime heritage. By participating in this commemoration, ALAF is joining a national movement that highlights history, commitment, and maritime traditions. It is also a unique opportunity to showcase our association and our region on a national level.

Official logo of the 400th anniversary of the French Navy

This certification is a real opportunity for Albi and for ALAF. We are proud to actively contribute to this anniversary.

Stay tuned to discover the next chapter of the adventure!

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

Nicolas Gosset

The post ALAF certified for the 400th anniversary of the French Navy appeared first on ALAF.

ALAF will take part in the next edition of Escale à Sète, the major Mediterranean festival of maritime traditions, which will be held from March 31 to April 6, 2026.

An International Gathering

This major event brings together sailors, maritime history enthusiasts, and associations from all over France and abroad. To learn more about the festival, please visit the official website: Escale à Sète.

ALAF will be present alongside the Association des Amis du Château de Castries(AACC) at a stand located on Quai d’Alger, where L’Hermione was moored in 2018.

An Immersive Stand

The stand, measuring 9 meters wide and 3 meters deep, will consist of three sections and will host several mediation and exhibition areas.

Throughout the event, visitors will be able to discover:

• A reconstruction of the Minister of the Navy’s office,
• An exhibition dedicated to the 400 years of the Navy and to the sailors of Languedoc, created in collaboration with our association.
• A photographic and documentary exhibition by the AACC, possibly accompanied by one or two ship models.

Members of ALAF and partner associations will portray officers of Lapérouse’s staff, dressed in period uniforms, immersing the public in the heart of the 18th century.

Exhibition panels will also explore two major themes:

• France’s participation in the American War of Independence,

• The sailors of the Tarn region.

Bringing History to Life

ALAF will offer an educational workshop for young visitors focused on the use of the sextant, using equipment owned by the association.

To make history come alive, several members will perform short historical reenactments covering:

• The meeting with Louis XVI,

• The Battles of Chesapeake and Yorktown.

Finally, one of our members, Nicolas Gosset, will host historical quizzes of varying levels of difficulty, with prizes to be won, allowing visitors to test their knowledge of maritime history, France’s participation in American independence, and the Lapérouse expedition.

Through its participation in Escale à Sète 2026, ALAF reaffirms its commitment to transmitting maritime history, making it accessible to the widest possible audience, and bringing it to life through reenactment, education, and shared passion.

We look forward to welcoming you to our stand!

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

Article written by the editorial committee

The post ALAF will be present in Sète appeared first on ALAF.

It was in this context that on March 3, 2025, our president J-M Pestel gave a lecture at Météo France in Toulouse.

This was made possible thanks to the mediation of Ms. Monique Percheron, a member of our association and also a member of ANAFACEM.

The audience consisted of members of ANAFACEM (National Association of Former Civil Aviation and Meteorology Officials) gathered for their general meeting, at the end of which our president spoke.

Approximately 60 particularly knowledgeable individuals attended this presentation, whose theme was “How did the Hudson Bay expedition prompt Louis XVI to choose Lapérouse for the expedition around the world?” The presentation lasted approximately 50 minutes.

The large number of questions asked at the end of the presentation was a sign of the audience’s interest. In addition, the sale of books published by our association (asso@laperouse-france.org/boutique) was another gratifying indication of this interest.

Our association would like to thank Ms. Chamayou and her association once again for their initiative.

Thank you to Anne-Marie and Jean-Michel for their contribution to this article.

The post Lecture by our president at Météo France appeared first on ALAF.

We asked its president, Raymond Duranton, for permission to publish one of his articles, which recounts Lapérouse’s visit to the famous Easter Island.

If you are interested in Easter Island, please consider joining this association. You will find the link at the bottom of this article.

Here is Raymond Duranton’s article.

Source

The original edition of the book “Lapérouse, voyage autour du monde” (Lapérouse, voyage around the world), published in April 1791 by Louis Marie Milet-Mureau, is unavailable. Numerous books were based on it, with few changes to the text. The edition published by Éditions Maspéro has been used here. In fact, given the relatively slim subject matter, I have only summarized the parts where Lapérouse talks about Easter Island: chapters IV and V (pp. 64 to 91), a little at the end of chapter III, and a little at the beginning of chapter VI. These thirty or so pages should be read carefully, as the text was written by a sailor on a mission.

Location

Lapérouse’s long journey will not be recounted here. The attached map shows the small section that interests us, with a stopover in Chile. Lapérouse had two frigates at his disposal, the Astrolabe and the Boussole, and on board were the best French scientists of the time.

Ratings

Lapérouse uses units of measurement that vary greatly in size: miles (nautical), leagues, toises, feet, etc. Readers may be misled by the glossary at the end of the book, which gives current measurements. We believe that a league for sailors at that time was worth about 5 km and a toise 1.9 meters.

He uses the term “Indians” when referring to the inhabitants of the islands.

He gives names of islands that have since changed, such as Owhyhee for Hawai’i. Islands that are now known to be non-existent are also mentioned, such as those discovered by ancient navigators.

Approach

During the night of April 8 to 9, 1786, Lapérouse sailed within three leagues of the coast of Easter Island. A footnote (p. 59) indicates that Davis and Cook must have been mistaken in saying that there were two islands at Rapa Nui.

In the morning, the weather being fine, the frigates anchored in the same bay where Cook had stopped, Hanga Roa, sheltered from the winds except those from the west (p. 59).

Reception

In the bay, initially at a distance of one league, the Indians followed the ships, sometimes in canoes, sometimes swimming. Then they came aboard laughing, unarmed. They looked different from those known to Cook and the painter Hodges, who was part of his expedition.

Lapérouse offered the inhabitants gifts of animals (goats, sheep, pigs) and seeds to sow and grow. But the islanders stole items from the crew (hats, handkerchiefs) which they carried on their heads, then dispersed. Lapérouse estimated the islanders’ population at 800, including 150 rather attractive women who stole by offering their favors. But overall, the French felt they had received a welcome without treachery.

The image above depicts Lapérouse’s crew on Easter Island. At the bottom left, we see people attempting to establish dialogue with the islanders (among them, perhaps Simon Lavo or Lavaux, a Navy surgeon with a gift for languages), artists, others taking notes, and, amusingly, on the right, an islander attempting to grab the hat of a crew member.

At around 8 p.m., Lapérouse “took leave of his new hosts” (p. 60) and signaled to them that he would return the next day. The Indians left in their canoes, dancing as they went.

Preparation

Lapérouse had a tent set up on the island under the command of Morel d’Escures. They were ordered not to use violence, not even rifle butts, to drive the Indians away.

The seventy men chosen to explore the island were divided into two groups. One was led by Lapérouse himself and did not stray far from the frigates. The other (chapter V), consisting of men who enjoyed walking and scientists, was led by Fleuriot de Langle and was to venture deep into the island. All of the observations reported are already well known to CEIPP members, particularly through the book “Les mystères…” and subsequent research. I will only discuss two or three original observations here.

Vegetation

As he was familiar with Île de France, Lapérouse thought he would find similarities with Easter Island. On Easter Island, trees used to exist in groups or sheltered from the wind; otherwise, they would perish. But the inhabitants had been imprudent (p.65) enough to cut them down. That is why only mulberry and mimosa shrubs remained, and not large food-bearing trees as in the rest of Polynesia.

Turned stones kept the night cool and sheltered young plants. But there was no stream; fresh water was very rare. De Langle saw the Rano Kao volcano to the southeast. The inhabitants lived on sweet potatoes and igames (Lapérouse does not mention taro), and little of the surface appeared to be cultivated.

Lapérouse and Cook, sometimes differing attitudes

Unlike Cook, Lapérouse had a favorable opinion of the Indians.

The Astrolabe and the Compass, with a healthy crew, had stocked up on provisions for several months at La Conception and asked nothing of the island’s Indians, even bringing them animals and seeds.

On the contrary, Cook’s ships, after a long and arduous journey from Tahiti, with men suffering from scurvy, were lacking everything, especially fresh water and food. They began to plunder a poor island, much to the misfortune of its inhabitants.

Conclusion

In this passage, which is both old and valuable for its details, we see that Lapérouse has a lot of respect for James Cook but criticizes him on specific points. I feel that this fact has often been overlooked by subsequent researchers, who did not compare the two accounts sufficiently.

Lapérouse was a French gentleman from the pre-revolutionary era when philosophers published their writings. But he was on a mission for the king and had to obey orders. He was careful not to call the Indians “savages” and did not judge them harshly. The Indians did not welcome the newcomers as enemies, but with dancing and singing, which did not prevent them from taking whatever they wanted. Lapérouse thought that this was how they lived, sharing everything. The women stayed behind, looking after the children, while the young and desirable women offered themselves shamelessly when the gift seemed tempting. Their sense of ownership was different from that of the West.

Image representing James Cook

Departure

On the evening of the 10th, around 8 o’clock, all the men and equipment were reloaded onto the ships. Lapérouse said that he left via the north coast (actually northeast at the beginning). On his way to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), he saw Easter Island for the last time.

It should be noted that the Lapérouse expedition spent very little time on this island.

Address of the CEIPP association website: https://centredetudesiledepaques.wordpress.com/

Thank you to Anne-Marie and Jean-Michel for their contribution.

The post Lapérouse in Rapa Nui (native name for Easter Island) appeared first on ALAF.

An expedition inspired by that of Lapérouse (1789-1794)

We have seen how Ambrosio Malaspina who had received Laperouse in Concepcion, then proposed a shipping to Carlos III.

The two ships leave Cadix in July 1789.

A team of scientists is part of the expedition in charge of cartography, study of animals, plants, minerals and astronomical observations, accompanied by the essential draughtsmen. Among them were celebrities such as the painting professor José del Pozo, the painters José Guío and Fernando Brambila assisted by the draughtsman Juan Ravenet (who joined them in Acapulco in 1791), the Franco-Spanish botanist Luis Née, the naturalists Antonio Pineda and Thaddäus Haenke.

For the first time, Spain, a trading nation, mainly concerned with bringing back treasures from its colonies, invested in a mission of pure knowledge.

The aim is also to visit foreign settlements linked to the collection of furs in cold areas. Malaspina also made stops in Spanish cities in America, probably for political purposes, to report on their condition to the Spanish administration. There are some similarities in the respective routes of Lapérouse and Malaspina, but one of the latter’s objectives (to visit Spanish cities) took him on different paths in the South Pacific.

Malaspina made a series of stopovers: Canary Islands, Montevideo, Falklands, Cape Horn. After stops in Spanish ports (Concepcion, Valparaiso, Callao, Lima, Acapulco), Malaspina sailed up to the Gulf of Alaska having been ordered to try to discover the mythical Northwest Passage. He contented himself with exploring the southern coast of Alaska, unwilling to take risks, naming some sites with a few Spanish names and convinced that this passage did not exist. A large glacier bears the name Malaspina.  He stopped at Yukatat Bay, recognized by Lapérouse, and then measured the height of Mount Elie in present-day Quebec.

He recognizes Puget Sound, a very important entrance pass to Vancouver Bay not spotted by Lapérouse who had passed too far offshore.

Malaspina can thus complete the mapping outside the Spanish areas. Then heading for Manila, a Spanish possession rich in spices. Then sail south, New Zealand with the mapping of Doubtful Sound. Then Port Jackson (Sydney) and stop at the Vava’u archipelago in Tonga.

These islands had been discovered by another Spaniard, Francisco Mourelle, and La Pérouse had also passed through them. Finally heading for Tacahano in Chile and returning to Cadiz on September 21, 1794.

A return without ovations

Malaspina is back in Cadix after 4 years and 10 mounths. This expedition, of exceptional length (in time and distance) was a success but his ideas were too humanistic. This man, steeped in the theories of the Age of Enlightenment, returns to a frozen monarchical Spain. He professed liberal ideas for the Spanish colonies recommending a greater autonomy.

In September 1795, Malaspina sent his writings to the Spanish government, trying to exert influence on it, but he is accused by Manuel Godoy, the Spanish secretary of state, of spreading revolutionary ideas. He makes the collections brought back by Malaspina disappear to prove that he had done nothing more than a propaganda tour.
However, an Atlas is kept at the Directorate of Hydrography of the Ministry of the Navy, in Madrid, which is published with 34 navigational charts. But some astronomical observations and natural history are lost forever. Part of the botanical collections had a better fate: Luis Née’s herbarium was given to the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid and many species were described thanks to these materials by Antonio José Cavanilles, who was its director at the time.
At the end of a mock trial, Malaspina was sent to prison in the San Antón Castle in Coruña for ten years. At the end of 1802, thanks to pressure from Napoleon, he was finally released and exiled to Italy in  Pontremoli, in Etruria, his native city.

A career in Italy

In 1804, he moved to Milan, capital of the Italian Republic. In December of that year, the government of the Republic commissioned him to organize the quarantine between the Republic and the Kingdom of Etruria on the occasion of an epidemic of yellow fever in Livorno. In 1805, he was appointed a member of the Council of State of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. In December 1806, he moved to Florence, to the court of the Kingdom of Etruria. Alessandro Malaspina died in Pontremoli in 1810.

His work is recognized after a century of oblivion

Most of Malaspina’s work remained unpublished in 1885, when the ship’s captain Pedro de Novo y Colson published Viaje político-científico alrededor del mundo de las corbetas Descubierta y Atrevida al mando de los capitanes de navío D. Alejandro Malaspina y D. José Bustamante y Guerra desde 1789 a 1794.

Anne Marie Guillot

The post Malaspina, the forgotten navigator (second part) appeared first on ALAF.