GRASSETILLY, COMITE DE (I 7 2 2—I 788), French sailor, was born at Bar (Alpes Maritimes). In 1734 he took service on the galleys of the order of Malta, and in 1740 entered the French service. He took part in the American War of Independence, and fought at Dominica and Saint Lucia (178o), and Tobago (1781). He was defeated by Admiral Hood at St. Kitts, and in April 1782, defeated and taken prisoner by Admiral Rodney. On his return to France, he published a Memoire justi ficati f, and was acquitted by a court-martial (1784).
See Alexandre de Grasse, Notice bibliographique sur l'amiral Comte de Grasse d'apres les documents inedits (184o) ; G. Lacour-Gayet, La Marine militaire de la France sous le regne de Louis XV. (1902).