During the French Revolution, Tartu became a minor political figure; he assured the interim direction of the foundry, and at the outbreak of the war with Britain, obtained command of the frigate Uranie.

[1] After enlisting in the French Royal Navy, Tartu was appointed as master gunner on the frigate Fortunée, under Bernard de Marigny.

[2] In December 1779, Fortunée sailed in consort with the 32-gun Blanche, under La Galissonière,[3] and the 20-gun corvette Ellis,[note 1] under Captain Fonteneau,[3] to ferry troops that had fought in the Siege of Savannah back to various French colonies of the Caribbean.

[3] As the British squadron flew the French flag, the frigates continued on their route and approached until the ships hoisted British colours and gave chase;[3] a running battle ensued and in the course of the next hours, the frigates were overhauled by the 74-guns and struck their colours, Fortunée surrendering after a two-hour cannonade, surrounded by two ships.

[5] In June, Tartu returned to Indret to dispose of rusted cannonball from Rochefort in the foundry and to recruit crewmembers.

On 25 August, Tartu observed the Ancien Régime custom of firing salvoes for Saint Louis Day.

[7] Uranie captured two Spanish brigs, which were scuttled, a wheat merchantmen from Genoa and a British merchantman.

[6] On 22 October, the squadron sighted the 16-gun Spanish brig Alcoudia and Allemand detached Uranie to capture her.

[1] In the ensuing Action of 24 October 1793, Uranie engaged in an artillery duel rather than attempting a boarding, as she lacked 60 of her sailors, despatched in prize crews over three captured ships, and was burdened with over 260 prisoners.

[6] In the artillery duel, Thames lost most of her rigging and suffered heavy damage to her port batteries.

[1] His widow was awarded a pension by the National Convention,[6] which passed a resolution that the crew of Uranie had bien mérité de la Patrie.