Battle at The Lizard: Difference between revisions
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The '''Battle at the Lizard''' was a naval battle that took place on [[October 21]] [[1707]] near [[Lizard Point, Cornwall]] between an Engish [[convoy]] protected by Commodore [[Richard Edwards]] and two French [[squadron]]'s under [[René Duguay-Trouin]] and [[Claude de Forbin]] , during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]]. |
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This battle took place on [[21 October]] [[1707]] and was a victory for 2 French squadrons of 6 ships each, one commanded by Forbin and the other by René Duguay-Trouin, over a British force of 5 ships, commanded by Richard Edwards, and the convoy of 130 merchant ships he was escorting. Technically Forbin was the senior French officer, but Duguay-Trouin was the more aggressive, and his ships led the attack and suffered most of the damage, after Forbin's had discovered the British convoy. ''Devonshire'' was burnt, frustrating Duguay-Trouin's attempts to board. ''Amazon'' was sent to deal with the merchant ships but they managed to escape, although according to ''A History of the French Navy'' the French had 13 ships of the line and 1 other, 60 out of 80 merchant ships were captured. |
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== the Battle == |
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During this war the French and Spanish fleet could not face the English and Dutch in an open sea battle and therefore had switched to privateering. |
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Two of the most succesful Frenchs privateers were [[René Duguay-Trouin]] and [[Claude de Forbin]] who had caused much damage to the allied merchant fleet. |
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On [[October 20]] 1707 a large merchant fleet consisting of 80 to 130 English ships left [[Plymouth]] for Portugal with supplies for the war in Spain. There were five escorting English ships under command of Commodore [[Richard Edwards]]. |
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The next day near [[Lizard Point, Cornwall]] they were spotted by 2 French squadrons of 6 ships each. Technically Forbin was the senior French officer, but Duguay-Trouin was the more aggressive, and his ships led the attack and suffered most of the damage, after Forbin's had discovered the British convoy. |
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This battle was a complete victory for the French : ''Cumberland'', ''Chester'' and ''Ruby'' were taken, but ''Royal Oak'' escaped into [[Kingsale]] with a few merchantmen. |
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''Devonshire'' defended herself for several hours against seven French ships until she caught fire and blew up, only two men escaping out of 900. |
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'''Ships involved:''' |
'''Ships involved:''' |
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''Gloire'' 40<br> |
''Gloire'' 40<br> |
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''Amazon'' 36<br> |
''Amazon'' 36<br> |
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'''Forbin's squadron'''<br> |
'''Forbin's squadron'''<br> |
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''Mars'' 60 (flag)<br> |
''Mars'' 60 (flag)<br> |
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===Britain (Richard Edwards)=== |
===Britain (Richard Edwards)=== |
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''Cumberland'' 80 - Captured by ''Lys'' and ''Gloire''<br> |
''Cumberland'' 80 - Captured by ''Lys'' and ''Gloire''<br> |
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''Devonshire'' 80 - |
''Devonshire'' 80 - Exploded<br> |
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''Royal Oak'' 76<br> |
''Royal Oak'' 76 - Escaped<br> |
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''Chester'' 50 - Captured<br> |
''Chester'' 50 - Captured<br> |
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''Ruby'' 50 - Captured<br> |
''Ruby'' 50 - Captured<br> |
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130 merchant ships<br> |
80 to 130 merchant ships<br> |
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== Discussion == |
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Their is no unanimity on the number of merchant ships captured. |
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French sources speak of 60 ships out of 80, some British of none at all. |
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The fact that [[René Duguay-Trouin]] and [[Claude de Forbin]] quarreled for many years about which of the two squadrons had the biggest role in the victory, points to a considerable number of ships captured. |
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Probably the truth is somewhere in between : Polak in « Bibliographie maritime française » speaks of 15 merchant ships captured. |
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== Links == |
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*[http://perso.orange.fr/vieillemarine/biblio/pages/Duguay_Memoires_1730.htm Jean et Michèle Polak: « Bibliographie maritime française »] |
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*[http://www.stratisc.org/pub_hcb_seapower_3.html Commission Française d'Histoire Militaire (English)] |
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*[http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/18c.HTM HMS Chester] |
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*[http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/18d.HTM HMS Devonshire] |
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{{France-battle-stub}} |
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{{UK-battle-stub}} |
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[[Category:1707]] |
[[Category:1707]] |
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Revision as of 21:29, 2 January 2007
The Battle at the Lizard was a naval battle that took place on October 21 1707 near Lizard Point, Cornwall between an Engish convoy protected by Commodore Richard Edwards and two French squadron's under René Duguay-Trouin and Claude de Forbin , during the War of the Spanish Succession.
the Battle
During this war the French and Spanish fleet could not face the English and Dutch in an open sea battle and therefore had switched to privateering. Two of the most succesful Frenchs privateers were René Duguay-Trouin and Claude de Forbin who had caused much damage to the allied merchant fleet.
On October 20 1707 a large merchant fleet consisting of 80 to 130 English ships left Plymouth for Portugal with supplies for the war in Spain. There were five escorting English ships under command of Commodore Richard Edwards.
The next day near Lizard Point, Cornwall they were spotted by 2 French squadrons of 6 ships each. Technically Forbin was the senior French officer, but Duguay-Trouin was the more aggressive, and his ships led the attack and suffered most of the damage, after Forbin's had discovered the British convoy.
This battle was a complete victory for the French : Cumberland, Chester and Ruby were taken, but Royal Oak escaped into Kingsale with a few merchantmen. Devonshire defended herself for several hours against seven French ships until she caught fire and blew up, only two men escaping out of 900.
Ships involved:
France
Duguay-Trouin's squadron
Lys 74 (2nd flag)
Achille 66
Jason 54
Maure 50
Gloire 40
Amazon 36
Forbin's squadron
Mars 60 (flag)
?
?
?
Blackwall 54 (recently captured from the British)
Salisbury 52 (recently captured from the British)
Britain (Richard Edwards)
Cumberland 80 - Captured by Lys and Gloire
Devonshire 80 - Exploded
Royal Oak 76 - Escaped
Chester 50 - Captured
Ruby 50 - Captured
80 to 130 merchant ships
Discussion
Their is no unanimity on the number of merchant ships captured. French sources speak of 60 ships out of 80, some British of none at all.
The fact that René Duguay-Trouin and Claude de Forbin quarreled for many years about which of the two squadrons had the biggest role in the victory, points to a considerable number of ships captured.
Probably the truth is somewhere in between : Polak in « Bibliographie maritime française » speaks of 15 merchant ships captured.