Jean-Baptiste Henri Barré de Saint-Leu (; 28 January 1763, in Paris – 11 April 1830, in ParisLes capitaines de vaisseau) was a French naval officer.
Career In 1792, Barré de Saint-Leu, then a Lieutenant, served in Terre-Neuve station under Pierre César Charles de Sercey, commanding the aviso Impatient which ferried Pouget, an official of Saint Domingue, from Le Havre, and cruised off Saint-Pierre et Miquelon before returning to Rochefort and Nantes.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 33 The next year, he commanded the corvette Perdrix.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 45
In September 1796, promoted to Commander, he captained the brig Pélagie.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 184 In June 1797, he was appointed to the frigate Précieuse, in Brest.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 187
Barré commanded the frigate Alceste during the Expédition d'Égypte.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 209 After the Battle of the Nile, he was sent to negotiate exchanges of prisoners with the British. He served with distinction in Egypt, and was awarded a sabre of honour for his conduct.L'Héritier, op. cit., p. 53
He was promoted to Captain on 5 February 1799, and appointed to Alceste in August. He transported military furniture from Alexandria to Jaffa, and ferried General Jean Reynier. Later, he was appointed to a squadron under Admiral Jean-Baptiste Perrée, which also comprised Junon, Courageuse, Salamine, and Alerte. In the action of 18 June 1799, Perrée's squadron met with a 30-ship fleet under Lord Keith and was captured. Alceste struck to HMS Bellona.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 229 In December, Barré received command of Égyptienne in December, ferrying troops and ammunitions to EgyptFond Marine, vol. 1, p. 225 and conducting reconnaissance off Hyères.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 246
On 10 July 1801, Barré took over command of the French forces in San Domingo, replacing Latouche-Tréville who had returned to France, sick, and presided until their surrender, in consequence of the Blockade of Saint-Domingue.Troude, op.cit., vol. 3, p. 300 In October 1802, he commanded the Surveillante.Fond Marine, vol. 1, p. 272
In 1812, he commanded the French forces of the Adriatic,Fond Marine, vol. 2, p. 439 which fought at the Battle of Pirano, where his 74-gun Rivoli was captured after a fierce fight. Barré, who had sustained several wounds, was taken captive.
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Fonds Marine. Campagnes (opérations; divisions et stations navales; missions diverses). Inventaire de la sous-série Marine BB4. Tome premier : BB4 1 à 482 (1790-1826) Fonds Marine. Campagnes (opérations; divisions et stations navales; missions diverses). Inventaire de la sous-série Marine BB4. Tome deuxième : BB4 1 à 482 (1790-1826)