Battle of Lagos (1693)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Lagos
partof=the Nine Years' War
date=1693-06-27 (1693-06-17 Old Style)
place=near Lagos , Portugal
casus=
territory=
result=French victory
combatant1= Kingdom of France
combatant2=
commander1=Anne Hilarion de Tourville
commander2=George Rooke
strength1=appox 100 sail, of which70 ships of the line
strength2= 16 sail, of which
8 English,
5 Dutch ships of the line
upwards of 200 merchantmen
casualties1=no ships lost
casualties2=90 merchantmen,
of which 40 captured|

The Battle of Lagos was a sea battle during the Nine Years' War on 1693-06-27 (1693-06-17 Old Style ("O.S")), when a French fleet under Tourville defeated an Anglo-Dutch fleet under George Rooke. Rookes squadron was protecting the Smyrna convoy, and it is by this name the action is sometimes known.

The Prelude

In the spring of 1693 a large convoy was organized to transport English and Dutch merchant ships bound for Spain and the Mediterranean, which had been held back by the threat of attack by the French fleet, or by commerce raiders.

The convoy, consisting of upwards of 200 sail, was to be escorted by a strong squadron of 8 English, and 5 Dutch ships of the line, with fireships, scouts and other auxiliaries, under the command of Admiral George Rooke. This squadron was bound for the Mediterranean, to take up station there. The convoy was to be covered by the combined allied fleet for its passage across the Channel, until it was past the port of Brest, to guard against attack by the French stationed there. The fleet, which was also charged with protecting England from the threat of invasion, would then double back to cover the Channel. The French, however, whilst they had made good their losses of the previous year, had abandoned the intent to invade, in favour of a "guerre de course", a war against the allies' trade and commercial interests. [*A.T. Mahan : The Influence of Sea-Power upon History 1660-1805. ISBN 0 60034162 3 .]

To this end, Louis XIV had dispatched the French fleet under Tourville, his most able commander,to set an ambush for the convoy before it entered the Straits of Gibraltar.By the end of May Tourville had assembled a fleet of 70 ships of the line, plus fireships, store ships and other auxiliaries, about 100 sail altogether, and taken up station near Lagos Bay in Portugal.

The convoy sailed at the end of May, with the allied fleet of 24 Dutch warships under Almonde, and 45 English under a leadership committee of Killigrew, Delaval and Shovell. By 7th June ("O.S") the convoy was about 150 miles southwest of Ushant, and the main allied fleet turned back, leaving Rooke and the convoy to proceed south.The allies had made no move to check where the French fleet was, and received no news of its whereabouts until 17th June ("O.S").By this time Rooke and the convoy were in action off Lagos, having been sighted by the French in the morning of the 17th June("O.S").

The Battle

Rooke couldn't avoid battle, but held the advantage of being to windward.Ordering the merchant ships to disperse, his squadron took battle positions.The battle started around 8 pm. when the rear of his squadron was overtaken by the French van (Gabaret).
Two Dutch ships , "Zeeland" (64, Philip Schrijver) and "Wapen van Medemblik" (64, Jan van der Poel) , engaged the French thus sacrificing themselves.They fought valiantly, giving the rest of the allied ships time enough to escape. When the two Dutch ships finally surrendered, Tourville was very impressed and congratulated the two captains asking them if they "were men or devils".
Rooke declared it "one of the best judged things I ever saw in action". [*N. A. M. Rodger: "The Command of The Ocean". (2004) ISBN 0-7139-9411-8 .] ]

The next day Rooke, with 54 merchant ships in company was standing west. In pursuit were just 4 French warships, but as they closed "Royal Oak" (100 guns), Rookes flagship, turned on them, and after a short exchange they abandoned the chase and drew off. Rooke and his group were able to reach Madeira without further incident, where he found "Monk" (60) with one of the Dutch warships, and 40 or 50 merchant ships in company. With this party, and stragglers collected en route, Rooke was able to reach Ireland on 30th July.

The Aftermath

About three-quarters of the convoy was saved, but at least 90 ships were lost, the majority Dutch, 40 being captured by the French. The aim of the convoy, to deliver the traders to their destinations in the Mediterranean, and to establish a naval presence there, both failed, while for the French there was a huge gain, with prizes valued at 30 million livres; the City of London judged it the worst financial disaster since the Great Fire, 27 years previously. [*Aubrey P: The Defeat of James Stuart's Armada 1692(1979). ISBN 0-7185-1168-9 .]

For Tourville a worthy revenge for his defeat in the Battle of La Hogue one year earlier.

External links

* [http://www.marine.nl/historie/marinemuseum/Webspecials/Heldendaden/Negenjarigeoorlog/Lagos/ Zeegevecht bij Lagos (Dutch)]

References