SOLEIL
ROYAL - FRENCH - 1970
The exact launched date of the French Fleet, Soleil Royal
with its 104 cannons, is a matter of dispute. Many historians
say 1690 while of the opinion that she was engaged in combat
in the Mediterranean Sea as early as the 1670's. In May 1692,
Anne Hilarion de Cotentin, count of Tourville and Marshal
of France, who was captain of Soleil Royal at that time, achieved
his hour of glory. On the 12 of May she sailed from Brest
with 45 ships and on May 29 approximately 21 nautical miles
north east of the Headland of Barfleur, he was confronted
by the English and Dutch fleets with combine strength of 97
vessels.
After a bloody battle lasting twelve hours it was the British
and Dutch who took were hauled after suffering heavy losses.
There they provided a defenceless target for the Dutch and
British when the latter attacked on the 2nd and 3rd of June
1692 and set fire to the ship. The loss of 18 war ships, especially
Soleil Royal was a serious set back.
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