Battle of Conception Bay 1696 • Classical Era
Discovering the battle
September 1696 French victory

Battle of Conception Bay

War of the League of Augsburg (King William's War in America) · Conception Bay, Newfoundland (present-day Canada)

Summary

D'Iberville leads a land and naval expedition in winter to strike English settlements in Newfoundland. He besieges and destroys the colonies around Conception Bay, inflicting a major setback on the British presence.

Historical context

The conflict extends to North American colonies. The French, few in number but supported by Mi'kmaq and Abenaki Indigenous allies, launch devastating raids against English settlements.

Tactics

Winter raids by land and sea, supported by Abenaki and Mi'kmaq allies; short sieges, destruction of dwellings and cod stocks to deprive colonists of resources.

Consequences

The campaign destroyed most English settlements on the Avalon Peninsula; d'Iberville subdued about 36 fishing posts, leaving the English only Bonavista and Carbonear by spring 1697.

Location

Place : Conception Bay, Newfoundland (present-day Canada)
Coordinates : 48.9333°N, 53.05°W

Related battles

1696 Classical Era Victory

Capture of St. John's

St. John's, Newfoundland (present-day Canada) · War of the League of Augsburg (King William's War)

After ravaging Conception Bay, d'Iberville marched on St. John's, the main British bastion in Newfoundland. He surprised the garrison, took the town, and destroyed its fortifications. On 30 November 1696, St. John's surrendered after a nine-day march from Plaisance; d'Iberville then destroyed ~36 English fishing settlements.

Pierre Le Moyne d'IbervillevsBritish garrison of St. John's
1697 Classical Era Defeat

Siege of Carbonear

Carbonear, Newfoundland (present-day Canada) · War of the League of Augsburg (King William's War)

The last British stronghold after French victories in Newfoundland, Carbonear resists d'Iberville. The inhabitants take refuge on the neighboring fortified island, out of reach of the assailants. The village is burned, but the fort remains unconquered.

Pierre Le Moyne d'IbervillevsBritish colonists entrenched in Fort Carbonear Island
1693 Classical Era Victory

Battle of Marsaglia

Marsaglia, Piedmont (present-day Italy) · War of the League of Augsburg

On 4 October 1693 at Marsaglia in Piedmont, Marshal Catinat won a brilliant victory over troops of Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy and his Austrian ally Prince of Commercy. French cavalry charges broke Savoyard lines; about 10,000 men were killed or captured on the allied side. The battle consolidated French control of Piedmont during the Nine Years' War.

Nicolas CatinatvsDuchy of Savoy and Imperial troops