Battle of La Hogue

Posted by regis on Friday 22nd of January 2016 21:23

voir "Mes campagnes de mer sous Louis XIV"
de Philippe de Villette-Mursay

Ordre de Bataille français complet ainsi que pour de nombreuses autres batailles

Collection In-Texte Tallandier Introduction et notes de Michel Vergé-Franceschi

Posted by Brian on Friday 22nd of January 2016 00:11

London Gazette 26 May 1692, Whitehall, May 28 - By letters from the fleet, we have an account that on the 23rd in the afternoon Admiral Russell sent in Vice Admiral Rooke with several light Frigate and Fireships, together with all the boats of the fleet, well armed, to burn the French ships which he had forced ashore near La Hogue. The attempt was very difficult and dangerous, but it was made with such conduct and resolution, and our men in the boats behaved themselves so bravely, taking possession of several of the enemies ships and beating the French with their own guns from their platforms on the shoar, that six of the said ships were burnt that night, and six more the next morning, in sight of the French and Irish camp, who fired upon us. Of these six were of three decks and the other six from sixty to seventy guns, and one ship of 56 guns was overset, and utterly lost. Many of the French sea-men perished with their ships, and a great number were taken prisoner. From the latter we hear, that the lost four or five great ships in the fight, one of which was Monsieur Gabaret's, Admiral of the Blue Squadron of 90 odd guns, so that we have destroyed about 21 of their biggest ships, besides the two frigates and other small craft; and had it not been for the foggy weather, few of the rest would have escaped. On the other side we have not lost one ship, except Fireships, which were spent upon action, and besides Rear Admiral Carter, and Colonel Hastings, we have not lost on Commission Officer. As to the number of sea-men that were killed or wounded in the engagement, we can yet give no certain account thereof. On the 25th Admiral Russell set sail from La Hogue and anchored the 26th off of St Helena having burnt twenty of the enemies transport ships (they having been about fifty in all) and sent Sir John Albby, with a squadron of English and Dutch men of war, and several Fireships, to make the like attempt, if he found it practicable, upon their shipping at Havre de Grace. The Admiral had given orders that public prayers and thanksgivings should be made to Almighty God on the 27th inst. throughout their Majesties fleet, for this great and final victory.