Battle of Beachy Head | |||||||
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Part of the Nine Years' War | |||||||
![]() An illustration of the battle by Théodore Gudin | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
75 ships[3] 28,000 crewmen[4] |
56 ships[5] 23,000 crewmen[4] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
No ships lost |
2,350 killed and wounded[4] 4,000 total casualties[6] 7-15 ships captured, sunk or destroyed[7] |
The Battle of Beachy Head, also known as the Battle of Bévéziers, was a fleet action fought on 10 July 1690 during the Nine Years' War. The battle was the most significant French naval victory over their English and Dutch opponents during the war.[2] The Dutch lost a number of ships of the line and three fireships; their English allies also lost one ship of the line, whereas the French did not lose a single vessel. Control of the English Channel temporarily fell into French hands but French Vice-Admiral Anne Hilarion de Tourville failed to pursue the Anglo-Dutch fleet with sufficient vigour, allowing it to fall back to the Thames.
Tourville was criticised for not following up his victory and was relieved of his command. Royal Navy Admiral Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington, who had advised against engaging the superior French fleet but had been overruled by Queen Mary II of England and her ministers, was court-martialled for his performance during the battle. Although he was acquitted, King William III of England dismissed him from the service.