CRESPEL, Emanuel, clergyman, born in Belgium about 1700. He arrived in Quebec in 1724, where he finished his ecclesiastical studies, and was ordained in 1726. He accompanied, as chaplain, the expedition of Lignery against the Foxes, and was then successively stationed at Niagara, Frontenac, and Crown Point. Being recalled to France, he sailed from Quebec in 1736, but his vessel, the " La Renommee," was driven on Anticosti Island and wrecked. Fifty-four of the passengers escaped. The remainder, including Father Crespel, attempted to reach Mingan in two boats, one of which was lost. The survivors were hemmed in by ice and forced to remain till spring. Father Crespel escaped to an Indian camp, and thence found his way to a French post, from which he sent assistance to his companions. Only three of them were found alive. When he recovered from his sufferings he went to Quebec and was appointed pastor of Solanges. He returned to Europe in 1738. He wrote a series of letters describing his adventures, which appeared in French (Frankfort, 1742), and were shortly afterward published in German (English translation, 1797).