Charles Pénaud (24 December 1800 – 25 March 1864) was a French naval officer who rose to the rank of vice-admiral.As a young officer he was a member of the voyage of exploration and circumnavigation of Hyacinthe de Bougainville in 1824–26.In 1831 he participated in the Battle of the Tagus. He commanded a corvette during the French blockade of the Río de la Plata in 1838–40.During the Crimean War he was second in command of the Baltic Squadron and engaged in the Battle of Bomarsund in 1854.The next year, as commander of the Baltic Squadron, he bombarded Sweaborg.After the return of peace he was a member of the Admiralty Council and then president of the Naval Council of Works.In this role he was responsible for successful trials of the new steam-powered armoured warships.