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Battle of Barfleur–La Hougue
Part of the Nine Years' War
Paton, Battle of Barfleur
The Battle of Barfleur, 29 May 1692 by Richard Paton, painted 18th century.
Date29 May – 4 June(NS)(19–24 May OS), 1692
Locationnear Cherbourg Peninsula, France
Result Barfleur: tactically indecisive,
Anglo-Dutch strategic victory
Cherbourg: La Hogue, allied victory
Belligerents
Royal Standard of the King of France Kingdom of France[1] Flag of England Kingdom of England
Prinsenvlag Dutch Republic
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of France Anne Hilarion de Tourville Kingdom of England Edward Russell
Dutch Republic Philips van Almonde
Strength
70 to 80 sail
44 ships of the line
plus auxiliaries
over 120 sail
82 ships of the line
plus auxiliaries
Casualties and losses

Barfleur: no ships lost
many damaged
1,700 dead or wounded[2]

Cherbourg: 3 ships burned
La Hogue: 12 ships burned

Barfleur: no ships lost
many damaged
2,000 dead,
3,000 wounded[2]


Cherbourg: minor casualties
La Hogue: minor casualties


The related naval battles of Barfleur and La Hogue took place between 29 May and 4 June New Style (NS), 1692 (19–24 May in the Old Style (OS) Julian calendar then in use in England). The first action took place near Barfleur; later actions were at Cherbourg and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue in the Cotentin peninsula, Normandy, France. It was the decisive naval battle of the Nine Years' War, known to the British as the War of the English Succession.

In May 1692 the French fleet of 44 ships of the line under the command of Admiral Anne Hilarion de Costentin, Comte de Tourville (by virtue of his title, widely known in English sources as "Tourville"), was preparing to transport an invading army of Franco-Irish troops to restore James II to the English throne. Despite being in command of the fleet, strategic decisions were to be taken by James II, François d'Usson de Bonrepaus and Bernardin Gigault de Bellefonds. The French victory at the Battle of Beachy Head two years earlier, in June 1690, had opened up the possibility of destroying the allied fleet and landing an invading army. Tourville boldly engaged the 82 strong Anglo-Dutch fleet at Barfleur. After a fierce but indecisive clash, which left many ships on both sides damaged, Tourville was able to disengage. He slipped off into light fog and for several days tried to escape the superior forces. The French fleet was scattered, and 15 were lost, 3 at Cherbourg and a further 12 at La Hougue. The threat of invasion of England was lifted.

Prelude[]

King Louis XIV and his naval minister, Count Pontchartrain, planned to land an army in England and restore James II to the throne. They first planned to launch the invasion in April 1692 before the English and Dutch fleets put to sea and joined up. Troops were collected at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, and the cavalry and guns were to be loaded into transports at Le Havre. Tourville was to bring the French fleet up from Brest and collect the transports and the troops, then fight off the English fleet and land the army in England.

However, the French fleet was unable to concentrate in time; D’Estrees and the Toulon fleet were beaten back at the Straits of Gibraltar, losing two ships in a storm, and Villette Mursay with the Rochefort squadron was delayed. Tourville's Brest fleet was undermanned, and when he sailed, on 29 April,[3] he was forced to leave 20 ships under Chateau-Renault behind. His fleet was further delayed by adverse winds and did not clear Berteaume Roads until 2 May.[3]

Tourville entered the Channel with 37 ships of the line, accompanied by 7 fireships, plus frigates, scouts, and transports. He was joined on 15 May[3] by Villette and the Rochefort squadron, 7 ships of the line and attendant vessels, giving Tourville a combined fleet of 44 ships, plus attendant vessels 70 or 80 sail altogether.

Meanwhile the allied fleet was assembling at St Helens on the Isle of Wight; Vice Admiral of the Red Sir Ralph Delaval arrived off St Helens on 8 May;[3] next day he was joined by Carter, who had been in the western channel guarding a convoy, and delivering troops to Guernsey. The Dutch had despatched a fleet, under Almonde, from Texel in April, which was making its way south. Admiral of the Blue Sir John Ashby sailed from the Nore on 27 April.[3] Admiral of the Fleet Edward Russell was delayed until 29 April, but gained time by making a risky passage through the Gull channel. He met Almonde at the Downs and a further Dutch squadron at Dungeness, arriving at St Helens in the second week of May. More detachments joined over the next few days, until 14 May,[3] when Russell had a force of over 80 ships of the line, plus auxiliaries. Thus by 14 May, when the allied fleet was fully assembled, the French strategic aim of acting with a concentrated force while the allies were scattered was already lost.

However, Louis XIV had furnished Tourville with strict orders to seek battle, strong or weak (fort au faible), and this he proceeded to do.

Battle of Barfleur[]

Barfleur

Locations of the battles in northern France.

The fleets sighted each other at first light on 29 May[4] 1692, off Cap Barfleur. On sighting the allied fleet Tourville held a conference with his officers. Their advice, and his own opinion, was against action; however Tourville felt bound by strict orders from the king to engage. He may also have expected some defections by English captains with Jacobite sympathies, though in this he was to be disappointed. In the light southwesterly breeze the fleets slowly closed, Russell from the northeast, and Tourville, who had the weathergage, from the south, on a starboard tack to bring his line of battle into contact with Russell's. Both fleets were in three squadrons, each split into three divisions and commanded by a flag officer.

Because of the calm conditions it was not until after 11 am, five hours after first sighting each other, that the two fleets engaged. Tourville had reinforced his centre, the White squadron under his own command, in order to engage Russell's Red squadron with close to equal numbers. Elsewhere, he sought to minimize damage by extending and refusing the van, to avoid them being turned and overwhelmed, while the rear was held back to keep the weathergage. Russell countered by holding fire as long as possible, to allow the French to come closer; Almonde, in the van extended to try to overlap the French line, while Admiral Ashby, with the rear and some way off, sought to close and bring his Blue squadron into action. From around 11 am, and for the next few hours, both fleets bombarded each other, causing considerable damage.

The battle continued for the rest of the day and into the night and was full of incident. At 1 pm a change in the wind allowed Rear Admiral of the Red Sir Cloudesley Shovell to break the French line and the Dutch to start enveloping the French van. At 4 pm a flat calm descended, leaving both fleets in a fog. A 6 pm Tourville was able to use the tide to gain a respite, and at 8 pm Shovell used the same tide for a fireship attack.

By 10 pm the battle was almost over. Surprisingly, though most ships on both sides were damaged, and some severely, no ships from either battle line were lost. At the turn of the tide, Tourville again took advantage of this to cut cables and be carried down channel on the ebb, away from the scene of battle. Russell also cut when he realized what had happened, to give chase into the night.

Aftermath[]

On the 30 May[5] the French withdrawal was hampered by wind and tide and by the fact that, due to cost concerns by the French Naval Ministry, many of the ships had anchors inadequate to withstand the strong tidal races in the region. There was also the lack of a fortified haven at Cherbourg. Tourville probably tried for too long to save his magnificent flagship, the Soleil Royal, but eventually he realised it was hopeless and switched his command to the Ambitieux, the flagship of Villette Mursay.

Pursuit[]

First light on the 30 May[5] saw the French fleet scattered into groups across a wide area. To the north of the battle scene, and heading northward, were Gabaret and Langeron, with four ships between them. Later that day they skirted the English coast and headed out into the Atlantic. Eventually, they would arrive safely at Brest. To the South, Nesmond, with six ships, was heading south-east towards the Normandy coast. Two of these would be beached at St Vaast la Hougue, while another two would later put into Le Havre, where L’Entendu was wrecked at the harbour entrance. Nesmond, with the remaining two ships Monarque and Aimable, passed through the Straits of Dover, went north around Britain and finally arrived safely at Brest. Heading West was the main body in three groups: Villette leading with 15, followed by d’Amfreville with 12, and Tourville bringing up the rear with seven. During the day the French were able to close up, but Tourville was hampered by his efforts to save his flagship, Soleil Royal, which was in a pitiable condition. Later that day Tourville recognized this and transferred his flag to L’Ambiteux.

In pursuit was Philips van Almonde and the Dutch fleet, with the various English divisions scattered behind. Many of these, particularly those of the English Red, were hampered by damage and lagged behind, leaving Almonde and Ashby closed up to the French by the end of the day. Russell was forced to detach three ships to return to port for repairs. Later these sighted Gabaret's group, but neither engaged. Shovell had to move his flag to Kent due to the damage to his flagship Royal William, while the damage to Britannia, Russell's flagship, caused his division serious delay.

On 31 May[6] the French fleet was anchored against the tide off Cap de la Hague. The leading contingent, 21 ships under Pannetier, had rounded the cape and was in the Alderney Race, while the remainder, 13 with Tourville and the other flag officers, were to the east. As the weather deteriorated, these ships began to drag their anchors and were forced to cut and run before the wind and tide. Three of the most badly damaged were forced to beach at Cherbourg; the rest, 10 ships, reached St Vaast la Hougue where they too were beached, joining the two of Nesmond’s division that were already there. Russell’s and the ships with him, together with some of Ashby’s Blue squadron, also cut to pursue him, while Ashby and Almonde continued to shadow Pannetier's group.

Pannetier, in order to escape the pursuing allied fleet, sought to make the hazardous passage through the Alderney Race; in this he was helped by finding in his crew a local man, Hervé Riel, to act as pilot when his navigators demurred. Almonde and Ashby did not try to follow him and were criticized later by Russell for not doing so, although the only flag officer who knew the waters, Carter, had died of his wounds.

Almonde attempted pursuit by taking his squadron west of Alderney, but the delay allowed Pannetier to pull too far ahead, and Almonde abandoned the chase. Pannetier later reached Saint-Malo in safety, while Almonde and Ashby turned east to rejoin Russell at la Hogue.

While Almonde and Ashby pursued Pannetier, Russell was chasing Tourville eastward along the Cotentin coast. Without anchors Tourville was unable to do more than beach his ships, which he was able to do, leaving three at Cherbourg and taking the remaining twelve to St Vaast la Hougue.

Actions at Cherbourg[]

The Soleil Royal, Admirable, and Triomphant were in such bad shape they had to be beached at Cherbourg. There they were destroyed on 3 June[7] by Vice-Admiral Delaval, attacking from long boats and with fire ships.

Actions at La Hogue[]

Meanwhile, Russell had turned on the remaining ships. These had sought refuge at La Hougue where they would be under the protection of the assembled land forces and a battery. On 3 June and 4 June,[8] the Dutch and English attacked with long boats. By this time the French crews were exhausted and disheartened. The allies successfully deployed shore parties and fire ships which burnt all twelve French ships of the line which had sought shelter there. This last action became celebrated in England as the Battle of La Hogue.

Conclusion[]

The dispersal of the French fleet put an end to the invasion plans, and the Allied victory was commemorated in England by a Fleet Review. Following the battle the French abandoned the idea of seeking naval superiority for its own sake, adopting instead a continental strategy on land and pursuing a war against trade (guerre de course) at sea.

The battle is seen differently on either side of the Channel. The English have seen the action as a single action over six days; it has often been referred to as the battle of La Hogue, or simply Hogue. The French on the other hand have seen the various actions as separate battles, of Barfleur, Cherbourg and La Hougue. However, more neutral observers, such as Mahan,[9] have also seen the action as a whole, as does Pemsel,[10] and naval actions over a period of days were not unusual for the time.[11] The term "Battle of Barfleur and La Hogue" is a compromise description for the whole event.

Both sides also regard the outcome differently. The English claim this as an outright victory. The French, while acknowledging La Hougue and Cherbourg as defeats, prefer to claim Barfleur as a victory.

The English view of this as an out and out victory, while plausible, is flawed. In earlier times it was widely celebrated, though by Mahan's time it was seen as less important.[9] The French invasion plan was foiled, but La Hogue was not the devastating blow to the French Navy it was once thought. French losses were quickly made good, and by the following year Tourville was able to inflict a defeat on the Allies at Lagos.[12] Although the French dropped their invasion plans for the rest of the conflict and switched to a guerre de course, this was a matter of policy rather than necessity.

However, the French view of the action at Barfleur as a victory is similarly flawed. The actions at Cherbourg and La Hogue can only be seen as defeats, but the view of the action at Barfleur as a victory is not tenable. The strategic aim, to concentrate the fleet and seize control of the channel before the Allied fleet had assembled, had already failed by 14 May (OS), and the chance for invasion was lost even if the battle had never taken place. Tactically Tourville made the best he could of a difficult situation. He made skilled use of the tides, first to disengage his fleet and, later, to escape, but with no ships lost on either side and the action ending with Russell in hot pursuit it can be seen at best as inconclusive.

Nevertheless, historians have generally acknowledged the skill, bravery, courage and ferocious fighting ability of the French in this action.[10][13] Barfleur remains a battle of which the French are most proud.[14]

Ships involved[]

  • England: 56 ships
  • Netherlands: 26 ships
  • Total allied: 82 ships, plus auxiliaries
  • France: 44 ships, plus auxiliaries
White Sqdn (Almonde)
(Dutch)
Guns Fate Blue&White Sqdn (d'Amfreville)
(French)
Guns Fate
Noordholland 68 Bourbon 68 Burnt at La Hougue
Zeelandia 90 Monarque 90
Ter Goes 54 Aimable 70
Gelderland 64 Saint-Louis 64 Burnt at La Hougue
Veere 62 Diamant 60
Conink William 92 ...
Eerste Edele 74 ...
Medenblick 50
Brandenburg 92
Westvriesland 88 Gaillard 68 Burnt atLa Hougue
Zeeland 64 Terrible 80 Burnt at La Hougue
Ripperda 50 Merveilleux 90 Burnt at La Hougue
Slot Muyden 72 Tonnant 80 Burnt at La Hougue
Prins 92 Saint-Michel 60
Elswoud 72 Sans Pareil (Vermandois?) 62
Schaterschoeff 50
Leyden 64
Princes 92
Amsterdam 64 Sérieux 64
Stad es Land 50 Foudroyant 84 Burnt at La Hougue
Veluw 64 Brillant 62
Castel Medenblick 86
Ridderschap 72
Maegt van Doort 64
Captaen Generael 84
Zeven Provincien 76
Red Sqdn (Russell)
(English)
Guns Fate White Sqdn (Tourville)
(French)
Guns Fate
St Michael 90 Fort 60 Burned at La Hougue
Lenox 70 Henri 64
Bonaventure 50 Ambitieux 96 Burned at La Hougue
Royal Katherine 82 Couronne 76
Royal Sovereign 100 Maure 52
Captain 70 Courageux 58
Centurion 50 . . . .
Burford 70 ...
Elizabeth 70 Perle 52
Rupert 66 Glorieux 64
Eagle 70 Conquerant 84
Chester 50 Soleil Royal 104 Burned at Cherbourg
St Andrew 96 Sainte Philippe 84 Burned at La Hougue
Britannia 100 Admirable 90 Burned at Cherbourg
London 96 . . . .
Greenwich 54 . . . .
Restoration 70 . . . .
Grafton 70 . . . .
Hampton Court 70 Content 68
Swiftsure 70 Souverain 80
St Albans 50 Illustre 70
Kent 70 Moderé 52
Royal William 100 . . . .
Sandwich 90 . . . .
Oxford 54 . . . .
Cambridge 70 . . . .
Ruby 50 . . . .
Blue Sqdn (Ashby)
(English)
Guns Fate Blue Sqdn (Gabaret)
(French)
Guns Fate
Hope 70 Excellent 60
Deptford 50 Prince 56
Essex 70 Magnifique 86 Burnt at La Hougue
Duke 90 Laurier 64
Ossory 90 ...
Woolwich 54 ...
Suffolk 70 ...
Crown 50 ...
Dreadnought 64 ...
Stirling Castle 70 ...
Edgar 72 Brave 58
Monmouth 66 Entendu 60
Duchess 90 Triomphant 76 Burnt Cherbourg
Victory 100 Orgueilleux 94
Vanguard 90 Fier 80 Burnt at La Hougue
Adventure 50 Fleuron 56
Warspite 70 ...
Montague 62 ...
Defiance 60 ...
Berwick 70 ...
Lion 60 Courtesan 64
Northumberland 70 Grand 84
Advice 50 Saint-Esprit 74
Neptune 96 Sirène 64
Windsor Castle 90 ...
Expedition 70 ...
Monck 60 ...
Resolution 70 ...
Albemarle 90 ...

References[]

  1. 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition, New York 1910, Vol.X, p.460: "The oriflamme and the Chape de St Martin were succeeded at the end of the 16th century, when Henry III., the last of the house of Valois, came to the throne, by the white standard powdered with fleurs-de-lis. This in turn gave place to the famous tricolour."George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana, The American Cyclopaedia, New York, 1874, p. 250, "...the standard of France was white, sprinkled with golden fleur de lis..." [1] The original Banner of France was strewn with fleurs-de-lis. [2]: on the reverse of this plate it says: "Le pavillon royal était véritablement le drapeau national au dix-huitième siecle... Vue du chateau d'arrière d'un vaisseau de guerre de haut rang portant le pavillon royal (blanc, avec les armes de France)."
  2. 2.0 2.1 Castex, pp. 43
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Old Style
  4. 19 May, Old Style
  5. 5.0 5.1 20 May, Old Style
  6. 21 May, Old Style
  7. 23 May, Old Style
  8. 23 and 24 May, Old Style
  9. 9.0 9.1 Mahan
  10. 10.0 10.1 Pemsel p59
  11. cf Four Days Battle
  12. Aubrey p156-160
  13. Aubrey p 104
  14. Castex p43

Sources[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Battles of Barfleur and La Hogue and the edit history here.