Battle of Texel (1694) facts for kids

The Battle of Texel was an important sea battle that happened on June 29, 1694, during a big conflict called the Nine Years' War. It took place near the Dutch island of Texel in the North Sea. In this battle, a French fleet led by Jean Bart fought against a Dutch fleet led by Hidde Sjoerds de Vries. The main goal for the French was to get back a large group of merchant ships (a convoy) that were carrying much-needed grain for France.

Quick facts for kids Battle of Texel
Part of the Nine Years' War
Combat du Texel, Eugène Isabey
Date 29 June 1694 Location Off Texel, North Sea Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Dutch Republic
Commanders and leaders
Jean Bart	Hidde de Vries  †
Strength
6 frigates 1 corvette 1 merchantman	8 frigates 120 merchantmen
Casualties and losses
66 killed or wounded	229 killed or wounded 455 captured 3 frigates captured

Why the Battle Happened

France was going through a very tough time in the early 1690s. There wasn't enough food because crops failed for two years in a row. This led to a serious shortage of food, and many people became sick or died.

To help its people, France desperately needed to buy large amounts of grain from other countries. They bought grain from neutral countries like Poland, Sweden, and Denmark.

The Grain Convoy

In May 1694, a French naval officer named Jean Bart was ordered to sail to Norway. His mission was to protect a huge group of about 120 ships loaded with grain. These ships were supposed to bring the food safely back to France.

However, the grain convoy didn't wait for Jean Bart's ships to arrive. It set sail with protection from only three neutral warships. Two of these were Danish, and one was Swedish.

The Battle Unfolds

The large grain convoy was quickly captured by the Dutch navy without any fighting. Jean Bart, who was still looking for the convoy, found it on June 29, 1694. It was early in the morning, around 3:00 a.m., near the Dutch island of Texel.

Even though Jean Bart's French ships had fewer cannons than the Dutch ships, he decided to attack. At 5:00 a.m., he launched his attack. He focused on the Dutch flagship, the Prins Friso, which was commanded by Hidde Sjoerds de Vries.

A Quick and Fierce Fight

The battle was very intense but short, lasting only about half an hour. Jean Bart's ship managed to capture the Prins Friso. The Dutch commander, Hidde Sjoerds de Vries, was badly wounded during the fight and taken prisoner.

The French also captured two other Dutch ships. The remaining five Dutch ships quickly sailed away to their nearest harbor. The Dutch suffered many losses in this battle. About 100 of their sailors were killed, 129 were wounded, and 455 were taken prisoner. The French also captured three of their warships.

Victory and Celebration

After the battle, Jean Bart's crew quickly repaired any damage to their ships. Then, they successfully guided the valuable grain convoy to Dunkirk, a port in France. They arrived on July 3, and a huge crowd of people gathered to celebrate their hero, Jean Bart.

Just two days later, on July 5, Jean Bart, his son François Cornil, and his brother-in-law were invited to the grand Palace of Versailles. There, King Louis XIV himself congratulated Jean Bart for his bravery and success. As a reward, Jean Bart was made a nobleman on August 4, 1694.

Sadly, the Dutch commander, Hidde Sjoerds de Vries, died from his wounds on July 1, 1694, just two days after the battle.

Images for kids

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  Abordage d’un vaisseau hollandais par Jean Bart le 29 juin 1694, an oil painting by François-Auguste Biard, 1843, displayed at the Louvre museum.