Tourville

Tourville, ANNE DE COFENTTN, COMTE DE (1642-1701), a great French admiral, was born near Coutances. Like Nelson, he was very delicate, but this did not prevent a highly successful naval career. Having served an apprenticeship under Duquesne in the Mediterranean, he became head of the newly-formed French navy in 1690. In the battle of Beachy Head in that year he gained the last great naval victory of France over England. Two years later he lost the battle of La Hogue, but was soon after made Marshal of France, and lived to inflict much damage on English commerce.