A month after Augusta, the French attacked the allied fleet and Spanish galleys at anchor in Palermo. Gunfire destroyed two Dutch warships, while fire ships burned seven Spanish warships, two galleys, and another Dutch vessel inside the confined harbour. Dutch rear commander Jan den Haen was killed in the action. Spain nevertheless retained Sicily and recovered Messina, showing that a devastating fleet attack did not automatically decide territorial control.
Notable Point · 2:00:12-2:00:48
Fire ships devastate the allied fleet at Palermo
A month after Augusta, French gunfire and fire ships destroyed Dutch and Spanish vessels anchored inside Palermo harbour.