316

HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

the part of the foe, and as decided a depression on that of England. Thesupposed superiority which Louis the Fourteenth arrogantly and precipitatelyflattered himself with the hopes of having gained, was even an idea but ofshort duration. Notwithstanding the boasted ascendancy gained by the fleet ofFrance over the combined naval force of Great Britain and Holland, in thebattle of Beachy Head, and the perfect tranquillity, with respect to naval con-test, in which the ensuing year passed on, so favourable to the exertions of accu-mulating force, the French king found in 1692, all the naval force which hehad in his power to bring into action, on the side of the Atlantic, was reducedto 63 ships of the line *, of which not more than 50 were drawn together,

when

Temeraire .

Sage -

Fidel - - -

Neptune - Destroyed at Toulon HOT

Francois -

Cheval-Marin

Faulcon - _ _

Halcyon -

Joli -

Opiniatre - - -

Palmier -

Guns.

54

50

48

48

46

44

36

36

36

36

36

* Among which appear the following Ships, which were not present at the

Beachy Head fight —

Guns.

Tormidable - - 90

Fourdroyant - - 82

Florissant - - 81

Triomphant - Burnt at La Hogue 74

Galliarde - 68

Monarque - - 90

Victorieux - - 92

Fulminante - 96

Syren - 60

Merveilleux - - 94

Juste 64

Entendre - - 60

Perle - - 56

Heureux-Retour - - 52

Those