Tourville, Anne Hilarion de Cotentin, comte de [key], 1642–1701, French naval commander. He served in the wars of King Louis XIV and was made commander of the French fleet in the War of the Grand Alliance. His great victory over the English and the Dutch at Beachy Head (1690) probably marked the height of French sea power, but in 1692 he was defeated by the English and Dutch at La Hogue. He was later victorious (1693) near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Tourville was one of the greatest naval technicians of his time.
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