Battle of Beachy Head
English Channel off Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, England
What happened
A French fleet under the Comte de Tourville fought an English and Dutch fleet led by Arthur Herbert, Earl of Torrington. The English and Dutch fleet, ordered to fight, attacked a larger French fleet off the south coast of England. The battle lasted about eight hours, and the Dutch ships at the front took heavy damage. Torrington ended the fight and the allies slipped away on the turning tide.
Why it matters
Why it matters: For a short time France controlled the English Channel, which caused panic in England. But the French did not chase the beaten fleet, so the win was far from decisive.
What came next
Torrington was court-martialled and acquitted but never served again. By the end of August the allies were back in control of the Channel.
Did you know?
Torrington is credited with first using the phrase 'fleet in being', meaning a fleet kept safe can still worry an enemy.
Timeline
- 10 July 1690Battle of Beachy Head.
- 11 July 1690William III wins the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland.
- August 1690Allied ships regain control of the Channel.
- 13 April 1716Torrington dies.