French cost-cutting supplied anchors that could not hold in the Channel’s tidal races, while Cherbourg lacked the fortifications needed to shelter damaged ships. The retreating fleet scattered into several groups, some escaping by long routes around Britain or through hazardous local channels. Three ships were destroyed at Cherbourg, and twelve more were beached at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. Exhausted French crews could not stop Allied longboats and fireships from burning the stranded ships, collapsing the invasion fleet after the main battle had ended.
Chapter · 2:09:22-2:21:16
La Hogue turns retreat into destruction
Cheap anchors, damaged ships, unfortified refuges, and relentless Allied pursuit turned the French retreat into the destruction of fifteen ships of the line.