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Battles of Barfleur and La Hogue
From May 29 to early June 1692, the Comte de Tourville, ordered to engage despite inferior numbers, fought the Anglo-Dutch fleet under Edward Russell…
Timeline
- 1692La Hogue · NormandyLouis XIV assembled an army in Cotentin to escort James II across for restoration. Tourville was ordered to engage even at a disadvantage to open the channel. The Anglo-Dutch fleet under Russell and Almonde, superior in numbers, intercepted from the channel's western entrance.
- 1692Cape Barfleur · NormandyOn May 29 the two sides fought an all-day gunnery action northeast of Barfleur. Tourville fought hard in a single line but failed to break through, and many French ships were heavily damaged. Fog and tides sent the French fleeing west and south by night, some north; the line of battle collapsed and the invasion escort failed.
- 1692La Hogue · NormandyHeavily damaged ships including the Soleil Royal ran aground at Cherbourg and were burned by Delaval's division with fireships and boats. The rest sheltered under La Hogue's shore guns and army, yet over two days Anglo-Dutch boat crews burned more than ten of them. James II watched the fleet's destruction from shore; the restoration plan ended.
Sources
- The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649–1815 — N. A. M. Rodger (2004)
- The Wars of Louis XIV, 1667–1714 — John A. Lynn (1999)
- War of the Grand Alliance https://www.britannica.com/event/War-of-the-Grand-Alliance