France, early 19th century. - Lot 106

France, early 19th century. Joseph François RAOUL, Capitaine de Frégate and commander of the "La Méduse", Autograph document written in Brest on March 28, 1812. Document attesting to an officer's good and loyal service. Some foxing and creasing. (Fairly good condition). Size of document: 16.5 x 21 cm. Note: La Méduse was a French frigate launched in 1810 and made famous by its sinking on July 2, 1816 off the coast of present-day Mauritania. This sinking resulted in the death of 160 people, 147 of whom were abandoned on a makeshift raft. The shipwreck caused a resounding scandal in France at the start of the Restoration. It is illustrated by Théodore Géricault's famous painting Le Radeau de La Méduse, exhibited in 1819.