Battle of Barfleur and La Hogue

Timeline

1. 1692Saint-Vaast-la-Hogue · NormandyLouis XIV and the exiled James II planned to ferry an army across the Channel from the La Hogue area. Tourville failed to destroy the Anglo-Dutch fleets separately before they could unite, yet still received the strict order to engage "whether stronger or weaker," and led over forty ships of the line north off Cotentin.
2. 1692off Barfleur Point · English ChannelAt dawn the Anglo-Dutch and French fleets sighted each other near Barfleur, but light winds kept them out of cannon range until mid-morning. Tourville slowly closed from to windward, engaging Russell and Ashmore's some eighty ships of the line in an all-day gunnery duel. French ships were heavily damaged but their line held; the battle itself is often recorded as a tactically inconclusive engagement.
3. 1692Saint-Vaast-la-Hogue · NormandyTides and damage forced several French ships aground at Cherbourg and La Hogue. Anglo-Dutch fireships and boats burned the stranded ships of the line within range of shore guns; flagships including the Soleil Royal were destroyed, and the invasion transports lost their cover. James II's restoration crossing plan collapsed, and France found it difficult to mount another large-scale amphibious assault on England.