Commander of The French Fleet At The Battle of Chesapeake

François Joseph Paul de Grasse (1722 – 1788). French Admiral who commanded the French Fleet at the Battle of Chesapeake, leading to the British surrender at Yorktown. DS. 1 page. 8” x 12 ½”. Signed while “Aboard the Orient, March 8, 1778” Article of the Gunner aboard the ship L’Orient. Not fully translated though the document details the cordage necessary for mooring cannons following the new method of procedure. The quantities of rope and other details of the procedure are provided. The Orient was an 80 gun ship in the French navy. In 1778 it was reduced to 74 guns and was wrecked in Trincomalee in the East Indies in February 1782. (Wikipedia). Folds. A scarce war date document signed by the French naval commander who secured American victory at Yorktown through his naval blockade.