Battle of Cap de la Roque
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Cap de la Roque was a naval battle that took place on May 22, 1703 between a Dutch convoy
protected by captain Roemer Vlack and a French squadron
under Alain Emmanuel de Coëtlogon
, during the War of the Spanish Succession
.
During this war the French and Spanish fleet could not face the English and Dutch in an open sea battle and therefore had switched to privateering. The allies were thus forced to protect their merchant convoys.
On May 21, 1703 a large merchant fleet consisting of about 110 English and Dutch ships transporting mainly salt, but also wine and sugar, left Lisbon
for England. There were five escorting Dutch ships: line ships Muiderberg (50), Gaesterland (46) and Schermer (?) and frigats Rotterdam (34) and Rozendaal (36) under command of captain Roemer Vlacq on board the Muiderberg.
The next day near Cabo da Roca
(fr: Cap de la Roque) they encountered the squadron of Coëtlogon composed of five larger warships : Vainqueur (88), Monarque (86 to 94), Éole (64), Orgueilleux (80) and Couronne (82).
Vlack, after signalling the merchantmen to save themselves, lined up his ships to protect the fleet and engaged the French. The Dutch fought valiantly but the French were too strong and ship after ship had to capitulate.
Vlack and the Muiderberg fought on until half of the crew was dead or wounded. Vlack lost an arm and part of his shoulder, but he only surrendered when the main mast came down and the ship was on the point of sinking. The survivors were evacuated and what was left of the Muiderberg was burnt and sank.
Thanks to the sacrifice of Vlacq, the convoy got away intact, meaning this Dutch defeat had little impact on the allied cause.
Vlacq, his men and the four ships were taken to Toulon
, were Vlacq died of his wounds on July 17, 1703.
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
protected by captain Roemer Vlack and a French squadron
Squadron (naval)
A squadron, or naval squadron, is a unit of 3-4 major warships, transport ships, submarines, or sometimes small craft that may be part of a larger task force or a fleet...
under Alain Emmanuel de Coëtlogon
Alain Emmanuel de Coëtlogon
Alain Emmanuel de Coëtlogon , was a Marshal of France during the reign of Louis XIV and Louis XV....
, during the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
.
During this war the French and Spanish fleet could not face the English and Dutch in an open sea battle and therefore had switched to privateering. The allies were thus forced to protect their merchant convoys.
On May 21, 1703 a large merchant fleet consisting of about 110 English and Dutch ships transporting mainly salt, but also wine and sugar, left Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
for England. There were five escorting Dutch ships: line ships Muiderberg (50), Gaesterland (46) and Schermer (?) and frigats Rotterdam (34) and Rozendaal (36) under command of captain Roemer Vlacq on board the Muiderberg.
The next day near Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca is a cape which forms the westernmost extent of mainland Portugal and continental Europe...
(fr: Cap de la Roque) they encountered the squadron of Coëtlogon composed of five larger warships : Vainqueur (88), Monarque (86 to 94), Éole (64), Orgueilleux (80) and Couronne (82).
Vlack, after signalling the merchantmen to save themselves, lined up his ships to protect the fleet and engaged the French. The Dutch fought valiantly but the French were too strong and ship after ship had to capitulate.
Vlack and the Muiderberg fought on until half of the crew was dead or wounded. Vlack lost an arm and part of his shoulder, but he only surrendered when the main mast came down and the ship was on the point of sinking. The survivors were evacuated and what was left of the Muiderberg was burnt and sank.
Thanks to the sacrifice of Vlacq, the convoy got away intact, meaning this Dutch defeat had little impact on the allied cause.
Vlacq, his men and the four ships were taken to Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
, were Vlacq died of his wounds on July 17, 1703.