Pannetier, in order to escape the pursuing allied fleet, sought to make the hazardous passage through the Alderney Race; in this he was helped by finding in his crew a local man, Hervé Riel, to act as pilot when his navigators demurred.
Browning’s poem makes some errors of fact (for example,it gives the French admiral as d’Amfreville, who was with Tourville at la Hogue, and the French flagship as the Formidable, which was not present at this battle); otherwise it presents a clear and fast-moving narrative.
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Hervé Riel was a French fisherman of the 17th century, from Le Croisic in Brittany.
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Following the battle of Barfleur, on 29 May(NS) 1692, the French fleet under Tourville was retreating westward, in order to regain a safe harbour, pursued by the Dutch and English fleets under Russell.
Alex Riel | Louis Riel | Hervé Vilard | Hervé Le Tellier | Hervé Di Rosa | Herve | Herve Leger | Hervé Guibert | Hervé Morin | Hervé-Edgar Brunelle | Hervé | Hervé de Portzmoguer | Hervé Bohbot | Saint Hervé | Hervé Riel | Hervé Renard | Hervé Léger | Hervé Laborne | Hervé IV of Donzy | Hervé Brouhon | Alain Riel |