Action of 2 May 1707 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Action of 2 May 1707 |
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| Part of the War of the Spanish Succession | |||||||
 Action of 2 May 1707. National Maritime Museum |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
 Great Britain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Claude de Forbin |
 Baron Wylde |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 7 Ships of the line 6 Privateers |
3 Ships of the line 52 Merchantmen |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Light | 2 Ships of the line captured 21 merchantmen captured |
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The Action of 2 May 1707, also known as Beachy Head, was a naval battle. It happened during the War of the Spanish Succession. In this battle, a French fleet led by Claude de Forbin attacked a large British convoy. This convoy was protected by three warships under Commodore Baron Wylde.
The fight started when three French ships attacked HMS Hampton Court. They captured the ship and its captain, George Clements, was killed. Then, Claude Forbin's ship, the Mars, attacked HMS Grafton. With help from other French ships, they also captured this ship. Its captain, Edward Acton, was killed. The British merchant ships scattered. The last British warship, HMS Royal Oak, was badly damaged. It managed to escape by sailing onto the shore near Dungeness. The French captured 21 merchant ships and two large British warships. They took them all to Dunkirk.
The Battle Unfolds
On May 1, 1707, a large group of merchant ships left the Downs. They were heading for the West Indies. Three warships were protecting them. When they were near Beachy Head, they met the French fleet. This French fleet came from Dunkirk and was led by Claude de Forbin. His fleet had 7 warships and 6 Privateers (ships owned by private people but allowed to attack enemy ships).
First Attacks
The battle began when three French ships attacked the British warship HMS Hampton Court. They fought hard and killed Captain Clements. Commodore Wyld, leading the British, bravely used five of his largest merchant ships to help fight. Both sides fired heavily for two and a half hours. HMS Hampton Court fought very hard but had to give up.
More Fighting
Next, the French ship La Dauphine strongly attacked HMS Grafton. Other French ships joined in, and after a tough fight, they captured her. Claude Forbin's ship, the Mars, then attacked Commodore Wyld's own ship, the Royal Oak. The Royal Oak was badly damaged and had a lot of water in its lower part. It managed to escape by sailing onto the shore. From there, it was later taken to a safe place.
Ships in the Battle
This section lists the ships that took part in the battle.
France
- Mars 60 – Led by Chevalier de Forbin.
- La Dauphine 56 – Led by Comte de Roquefeuil.
- Fidèle 56 – Led by Baron d'Arey.
- Blackoal 54 – Led by de Tourouvre.
- Salisbury 50 – Led by Chevalier de Vezins.
- Griffon 50 – Led by Chevalier de Nangis.
- Protée 50 – Led by Comte d'Illiers.
- Plus 6 Privateers.
Britain
- HMS Royal Oak 76 – Led by Commodore Baron Wylde. This ship escaped.
- HMS Hampton Court 70 – Led by Captain George Clements. This ship was captured, and its captain was killed.
- HMS Grafton 70 – Led by Captain Edward Acton. This ship was captured, and its captain was killed.
- Plus 55 Merchant ships.
