History
De Herder was a fireship equipped in the combined Anglo-Dutch fleet that bombarded Saint Malo on July 14 and 15, 1695.
This was an action within the framework of the Nine Years' War against France. King-Stadtholder William III of Orange played a leading role in this.
The fleet arrived at the port city in Brittany on July 14. On a small rocky islet in front of the harbor lay Fort Conchee, which was under construction.
Lieutenant-Admiral Van Almonde sent Captain Speelman with De Herder to the fort to create a smoke screen. This would allow bombardment ships to slip past the fort. Once past the fort, the harbor and city of Saint Malo came within range of the fleet. The plan succeeded. Captain Speelman ran De Herder aground on the cliffs close to the fort, causing it to partially catch fire as well. Not a single shot was fired from the fort. St Malo was subsequently heavily bombed
Description
References
- De Jonge, J.C,
Geschiedenis van Het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, III, 446
pp 446