Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves was born to the Estienne Family, a noble house of Provence.
During the Anglo-French War, on 27 July 1778, Estienne d'Orves took part in the Battle of Ushant as captain of the 74-gun Actif.
In late 1778, Estienne d'Orves was in command of the 80-gun Orient. On 28 December he departed Brest to reinforce the French colony of Isle de France.[Note 3][6] When François-Jean-Baptiste l'Ollivier de Tronjoli, commander of the French forces in the Indian Ocean, was recalled to France, he transferred command to Estienne d'Orves.[7]
Estienne d'Orves led his squadron off the Coromandel Coast, with little effect.[8][9] In April 1781, his health deteriorating, Estienne d'Orves gave command of the division to Tromelin, and that of Orient to First Officer Bolle.[10] Suffren arrived at Isle de France with reinforcements on 25 October 1781, and Estienne d'Orves decided to mount a raid against British interests in India.[9]
On 7 December 1781, Estienne d'Orves departed Isle de France with 11 ships, 3 frigates and 3 corvettes, intending to attack Trincomalee. However, he changed his mind and decided to attack Madras instead.[11] However, in the following days, his failing health deteriorated to the point where he was not fit for duty, and he delegated command to Suffren.[12] He died on 9 February 1782, a few days before the Battle of Sadras.[2]
Kingdom of France
French Navy