THE NAVY OF THE RESTORATION 



from ships and shore the British doggedly stuck to the attack and finally 

 succeeded in burning not only men-of-war but also the transport 

 and store-ships that had been collected for the descent on England. 

 The total French loss was fifteen ships of the line and numerous 

 minor craft. 



The French Privateers. 



During the latter part of the war, and especially after their main 

 fleet had been routed at Barfleur and La Hogue, the French made the 

 greatest use of their privateers. They sailed from all the French ports, 

 but especially those facing the Atlantic and Channel, in scores, and 

 made a huge difference to the course of events. The British could ill 

 spare sufiicient cruisers to counter them and although the losses by 

 privateer action were not as serious as those sustained in later wars, they 

 were quite sufficient, especially considering the sad state of the country, 

 and caused very considerable embarrassment. Similarly the smugglers 

 had their effect on the course of the war, because it was entirely by their 

 help that the Jacobites in France were able to keep in touch with the 

 party in England and also because William, already embarrassed in 

 money matters, found himself in further difficulties owing to their drain- 

 ing the country of gold to pay for their contraband goods. 



The End of the War. 



The twin victories of Barfleur and La Hogue finished the war as 

 far as general actions were concerned, but before it was completed by 

 the Peace of Ryswick in 1697 there was a certain amount of activity 

 in various centres. The most serious reverse to us was in 1693 when, 

 owing to the control of the Anglo-Dutch Fleet being hopelessly divided 

 and nobody having any real idea of what was happening, the French 

 contrived to wipe out a huge convoy of merchantmen that was going 

 to the Levant. Over a hundred merchantmen, valued at a million 

 sterling, were lost, and had it not been for Rooke's ability it would 

 have been worse. The French still carried on a war against our com- 

 merce, which was of some importance at the time, while far more 

 important, although scarcely recognised in those davs, was the fact that 

 Russell took a fleet down to the Mediterranean in 1694 and really 

 established a station there, maintaining his position in spite of all 

 difficulties. Before the Peace of Ryswick ended the war in 1697 to 

 the complete satisfaction of the British, the King and Queen had shown 

 their appreciation of the Navy's work by presenting to the Service the 

 Royal Palace at Greenwich as a hospital for maimed and aged seamen. 

 It was a fitting acknowledgment of all that the Navy had done towards 

 establishing the throne on a firm basis and also a verv w^elcome indica- 

 tion that the country was beginning to realise the debt that thev owed 

 the seaman and to understand that men were of more importance than 

 material. 



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