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Coordinates: 50°44′20.29″N 0°14′31.58″E / 50.7389694°N 0.2421056°E / 50.7389694; 0.2421056
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{{Short description|1707 naval battle}}
⚫
{{infobox military conflict
{{about|the 1707 battle|other battles off Beachy Head|Battle of Beachy Head (disambiguation){{!}}Battle of Beachy Head}}
⚫
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict =Action of 2 May 1707
|conflict =Action of 2 May 1707
|partof =the [[War of the Spanish Succession]]
|partof =the [[War of the Spanish Succession]]
|image =[[File:Attaque d'une Escadre Angloise dans la Manche.jpg|200px]]
|image =Attaque d'une Escadre Angloise dans la Manche.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption =Action of 2 May 1707. National Maritime Museum
|caption =Action of 2 May 1707. National Maritime Museum
|date =2–3 May, 1707
|date =2–3 May 1707
|place =off [[Beachy Head]]
|place =off [[Beachy Head]]
|coordinates ={{Coord|50|44|20.29|N|0|14|31.58|E|display=title}}
|coordinates ={{Coord|50|44|20.29|N|0|14|31.58|E|display=title}}
Line 17: Line 20:
|result =French victory
|result =French victory
|status =
|status =
|combatant1 ={{flag|Kingdom of France|23px}}
|combatant1 ={{flagcountry|Kingdom of France|23px}}
|combatant2 ={{flag|Kingdom of Great Britain|23px}}<ref>This battle occurred one or two days after the Acts of Union of 1707.</ref>
|combatant2 ={{flagcountry|Kingdom of Great Britain|23px}}<ref>This battle occurred one or two days after the Acts of Union of 1707.</ref>
|commander1 ={{flagicon|Kingdom of France|naval|23px}} [[Claude de Forbin]]
|commander1 ={{flagicon|Kingdom of France|naval}} [[Claude de Forbin]]
|commander2 ={{flagicon|Kingdom of Great Britain|naval}} Commodore Baron Wylde
|commander2 ={{flagicon|Kingdom of Great Britain|naval}} [[Baron Wylde]]
|units1 =
|units1 =
|units2 =
|units2 =
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|campaignbox ={{Campaignbox War of the Spanish Succession}}
|campaignbox ={{Campaignbox War of the Spanish Succession}}
}}
}}
The '''Action of 2 May 1707''', also known as '''Beachy Head''', was a naval battle of the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in which a [[France|French]] squadron under [[Claude de Forbin]] intercepted a large British convoy escorted by three ships of the line, under Commodore Baron Wylde. The action began when three French ships, the ''Grifon'', ''Blackoal'' and ''Dauphine'', grappled the [[HMS Hampton Court (1678)|''HMS Hampton Court'']], killing her captain, George Clements, and taking her. Claude Forbin's 60-gun ''Mars'' next attacked the [[HMS Grafton (1679)|''HMS Grafton'']] and, when joined by the French ships ''Blackoal'' and ''Fidèle'', killed the Captain Edward Acton, and took her too.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref> The convoy was scattered and the last British escort, the [[HMS Royal Oak (1674)|''HMS Royal Oak'']], badly hit and with 12 feet of water in her wells, managed to escape by running ashore near [[Dungeness (headland)|Dungeness]], from where she was carried the next day into the Downs.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref>
The '''action of 2 May 1707''', also known as '''Beachy Head''', was a naval battle of the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in which a [[France|French]] squadron under [[Claude de Forbin]] intercepted a large British convoy escorted by three ships of the line, under Commodore Baron Wylde. The action began when three French ships, the ''Grifon'', ''Blackoal'' and ''Dauphine'', grappled {{HMS|Hampton Court|1678|6}}, killing her captain, George Clements, and taking her. Claude Forbin's 60-gun ''Mars'' next attacked {{HMS|Grafton|1679|6}} and, when joined by the French ships ''Blackoal'' and ''Fidèle'', killed the Captain Edward Acton, and took her too.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref> The convoy was scattered and the last British escort, {{HMS|Royal Oak|1674|6}}, badly hit and with 12 feet of water in her wells, managed to escape by running ashore near [[Dungeness (headland)|Dungeness]], from where she was carried the next day into [[The Downs (ship anchorage)|the Downs]].<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref>


The French took 21 merchant ships, besides the two 70-gun ships of the line, and carried them all into [[Dunkirk]].<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
The French took 21 merchant ships, besides the two 70-gun ships of the line, and carried them all into [[Dunkirk]].<ref>Allen p.101</ref>


== Action ==
== Action ==
On 1 May a large outward-bound convoy for the [[West Indies]], under the protection of three ships of the line, sailed from the Downs and being six leagues to the westward of Beachy, they fell in with the French squadron from Dunkirk, commanded by Claude de Forbin. This squadron consisted of 7 sail of the line and 6 privateers.<ref>Troude 259</ref> The action began when 3 French ships, the ''Griffon'', ''Blackoal'' and ''La Dauphine'', grappled the ''HMS Hampton Court'' and killed Captain Clements. Commodore Wyld took five of his largest merchant ships into his line and boldly met the attack of the French ships.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref> For two and a half hours a heavy fire was kept up on both sides; the ''Hampton Court'' fought desperately and was obliged to surrender.<ref>Allen p.101</ref> ''La Dauphine'' next vigorously attacked the ''HMS Grafton'' and when joined by the French ships ''Blackoal'' and ''Fidele'', captured her after a warm dispute of half an hour.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref> Claude Forbin's 60-gun ''Mars'' attacked Commodore Wyld's ''HMS Royal Oak''. The ship having eleven feet water in her hold, managed to escape with great loss by running ashore, from where she was carried into the Downs.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
On 1 May a large outward-bound convoy for the [[West Indies]], under the protection of three ships of the line, sailed from the Downs and being six leagues to the westward of Beachy, they fell in with the French squadron from Dunkirk, commanded by Claude de Forbin. This squadron consisted of 7 sail of the line and 6 privateers.<ref>Troude 259</ref> The action began when 3 French ships, ''Griffon'', ''Blackoal'' and ''La Dauphine'', grappled HMS ''Hampton Court'' and killed Captain Clements. Commodore Wyld took five of his largest merchant ships into his line and boldly met the attack of the French ships.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref> For two and a half hours a heavy fire was kept up on both sides; HMS ''Hampton Court'' fought desperately and was obliged to surrender.<ref>Allen p.101</ref> ''La Dauphine'' next vigorously attacked HMS ''Grafton'' and when joined by the French ships ''Blackoal'' and ''Fidele'', captured her after a warm dispute of half an hour.<ref>Haws/Hurst p.347</ref> Claude Forbin's 60-gun ''Mars'' attacked Commodore Wyld's ''Royal Oak''. The ship having eleven feet of water in her hold, managed to escape with great loss by running ashore, from where she was carried into the Downs.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>


== Order of battle ==
== Order of battle ==
=== France ===
=== France ===
* ''Mars'' 60 - Chevalier de Forbin, Chef de division.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Mars'' 60 – Chevalier de Forbin, Chef de division.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''La Dauphine'' 56 - Comte de Roquefeuil.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''La Dauphine'' 56 – Comte de Roquefeuil.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Fidèle'' 56 - Baron d'Arey.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Fidèle'' 56 – Baron d'Arey.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Blackoal'' 54 - de Tourouvre.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Blackoal'' 54 – de Tourouvre.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Salisbury'' 50 - Chevalier de Vezins.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Salisbury'' 50 – Chevalier de Vezins.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Griffon'' 50 - Chevalir de Nangis.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Griffon'' 50 – Chevalier de Nangis.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Protée'' 50 - Comte d'Illiers.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
* ''Protée'' 50 – Comte d'Illiers.<ref>Troude 259</ref>


6 Privateers.<ref>Troude 259</ref>
6 Privateers.<ref>Troude 259</ref>


=== Britain ===
=== Britain ===
* [[HMS Royal Oak (1674)|''HMS Royal Oak'']] 76 - Commodore Baron Wylde, Escaped.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
* [[HMS Royal Oak (1674)|''HMS Royal Oak'']] 76 – Commodore Baron Wylde, Escaped.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
* [[HMS Hampton Court (1678)|''HMS Hampton Court'']] 70 - Captain George Clements{{KIA}}, Captured.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
* [[HMS Hampton Court (1678)|''HMS Hampton Court'']] 70 – Captain George Clements{{KIA}}, Captured.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
* [[HMS Grafton (1679)|''HMS Grafton'']] 70 - Captain Edward Acton {{KIA}}, Captured.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>
* [[HMS Grafton (1679)|''HMS Grafton'']] 70 – Captain Edward Acton {{KIA}}, Captured.<ref>Allen p.101</ref>


55 Merchant ships.
55 Merchant ships.


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|4}}
{{reflist|35em}}


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* Haws, Duncan; Hurst, Alexander Anthony (1985). The Maritime History of the World: A Chronological Survey of Maritime Events from 5,000 B.C. Until the Present Day. Vol I. ISBN 978-0-903662-10-9.
* Haws, Duncan; Hurst, Alexander Anthony (1985). The Maritime History of the World: A Chronological Survey of Maritime Events from 5,000 B.C. Until the Present Day. Vol I. {{ISBN|978-0-903662-10-9}}.
* Allen, Joseph. ''Battles of the British Navy: from A.D. 1000 to 1840'' Bell & Daldy publishing, ASIN B00087UD9S
* Allen, Joseph. ''Battles of the British Navy: from A.D. 1000 to 1840'' Bell & Daldy publishing, ASIN B00087UD9S
*{{fr icon}} Troude, O. ''Batailles navales de la France, Vol. I.''
*{{in lang|fr}} Troude, O. ''Batailles navales de la France, Vol. I.''

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Action Of 2 May 1707}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Action Of 2 May 1707}}

[[Category:Conflicts in 1707]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1707]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving Great Britain]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the War of the Spanish Succession involving Great Britain]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving France]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the War of the Spanish Succession involving France]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the War of the Spanish Succession]]
[[Category:1707 in England]]
[[Category:Military history of Cornwall]]
[[Category:1707 in France]]

Latest revision as of 13:34, 1 August 2024

This article is about the 1707 battle. For other battles off Beachy Head, see Battle of Beachy Head.
Action of 2 May 1707
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession

Action of 2 May 1707. National Maritime Museum
Date2–3 May 1707
Location
off Beachy Head
50°44′20.29″N 0°14′31.58″E / 50.7389694°N 0.2421056°E / 50.7389694; 0.2421056
Result French victory
Belligerents
 France  Great Britain[1]
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of France Claude de Forbin Kingdom of Great Britain Baron Wylde
Strength
7 Ships of the line
6 Privateers		 3 Ships of the line
52 Merchantmen
Casualties and losses
Light 2 Ships of the line captured[2]
21 merchantmen captured[3]

The action of 2 May 1707, also known as Beachy Head, was a naval battle of the War of the Spanish Succession in which a French squadron under Claude de Forbin intercepted a large British convoy escorted by three ships of the line, under Commodore Baron Wylde. The action began when three French ships, the Grifon, Blackoal and Dauphine, grappled HMS Hampton Court, killing her captain, George Clements, and taking her. Claude Forbin's 60-gun Mars next attacked HMS Grafton and, when joined by the French ships Blackoal and Fidèle, killed the Captain Edward Acton, and took her too.[4] The convoy was scattered and the last British escort, HMS Royal Oak, badly hit and with 12 feet of water in her wells, managed to escape by running ashore near Dungeness, from where she was carried the next day into the Downs.[5]

The French took 21 merchant ships, besides the two 70-gun ships of the line, and carried them all into Dunkirk.[6]

Action

[edit]

On 1 May a large outward-bound convoy for the West Indies, under the protection of three ships of the line, sailed from the Downs and being six leagues to the westward of Beachy, they fell in with the French squadron from Dunkirk, commanded by Claude de Forbin. This squadron consisted of 7 sail of the line and 6 privateers.[7] The action began when 3 French ships, Griffon, Blackoal and La Dauphine, grappled HMS Hampton Court and killed Captain Clements. Commodore Wyld took five of his largest merchant ships into his line and boldly met the attack of the French ships.[8] For two and a half hours a heavy fire was kept up on both sides; HMS Hampton Court fought desperately and was obliged to surrender.[9] La Dauphine next vigorously attacked HMS Grafton and when joined by the French ships Blackoal and Fidele, captured her after a warm dispute of half an hour.[10] Claude Forbin's 60-gun Mars attacked Commodore Wyld's Royal Oak. The ship having eleven feet of water in her hold, managed to escape with great loss by running ashore, from where she was carried into the Downs.[11]

Order of battle

[edit]

France

[edit]
  • Mars 60 – Chevalier de Forbin, Chef de division.[12]
  • La Dauphine 56 – Comte de Roquefeuil.[13]
  • Fidèle 56 – Baron d'Arey.[14]
  • Blackoal 54 – de Tourouvre.[15]
  • Salisbury 50 – Chevalier de Vezins.[16]
  • Griffon 50 – Chevalier de Nangis.[17]
  • Protée 50 – Comte d'Illiers.[18]

6 Privateers.[19]

Britain

[edit]

55 Merchant ships.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ This battle occurred one or two days after the Acts of Union of 1707.
  2. ^ Allen p.101
  3. ^ Allen p.101
  4. ^ Haws/Hurst p.347
  5. ^ Haws/Hurst p.347
  6. ^ Allen p.101
  7. ^ Troude 259
  8. ^ Haws/Hurst p.347
  9. ^ Allen p.101
  10. ^ Haws/Hurst p.347
  11. ^ Allen p.101
  12. ^ Troude 259
  13. ^ Troude 259
  14. ^ Troude 259
  15. ^ Troude 259
  16. ^ Troude 259
  17. ^ Troude 259
  18. ^ Troude 259
  19. ^ Troude 259
  20. ^ Allen p.101
  21. ^ Allen p.101
  22. ^ Allen p.101

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Haws, Duncan; Hurst, Alexander Anthony (1985). The Maritime History of the World: A Chronological Survey of Maritime Events from 5,000 B.C. Until the Present Day. Vol I. ISBN 978-0-903662-10-9.
  • Allen, Joseph. Battles of the British Navy: from A.D. 1000 to 1840 Bell & Daldy publishing, ASIN B00087UD9S
  • (in French) Troude, O. Batailles navales de la France, Vol. I.

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