Battle of Beachy Head (1690)

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The Battle of Beachy Head, also known as the Battle of Béveziers, 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 Grand Alliance opponents during the war. The Dutch lost seven ships of the line and three fire ships. 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. English Admiral Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington, who had advised against engaging the superior French fleet but had been overruled by Queen Mary II and her ministers, was court-martialled for his performance during the battle. Although he was acquitted, King William III dismissed...

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