Barfleur and La Hogue (Hougue), Battles of

The related naval battles of Barfleur and La Hogue take place between 29 May and 4 June New Style (NS), 1692 (19–24 May in the Old Style (OS) Julian calendar in use at this time in England).

The first action takes place near Barfleur; later actions are at Cherbourg and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue in the Cotentin peninsula, Normandy, France.

It is 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"), is 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 are 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 engages the 82-ship strong Anglo-Dutch fleet at Barfleur.

After a fierce but indecisive clash, which leaves many verssels on both sides damaged, Tourville is able to disengage.

He slips off into light fog and for several days tries to escape the superior forces.

The French fleet is scattered, and 15 are lost, 3 at Cherbourg and a further 12 at La Hougue.

The threat of invasion of England is lifted.

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