To this end, a large flotilla of flat-bottomed boats was built in the Batavian Republic, that had to be transported over sea to Boulogne, where the main invasion jump-off point was located.

The feat earned Ver Huell the membership of the Légion d'honneur as the first non-Frenchman, and caused the Batavian government to make him vice-admiral and minister of the navy.

[4][5] He also was appointed commander of the right wing of the Flottille de Boulogne, which formed an important part of the larger fleet that was intended to invade Britain.

After a fierce engagement, the Franco-Batavian flotilla, again supported by French artillery on shore, repulsed the British attack and around 11:00 they were forced to retreat.

Exactly at this moment, Ver Huell sailed around Blanc-Nez at a point where the depth of the coast made it impossible for the French land batteries to support his ships.

They subsequently initiated a full attack, and several British ships soon pressed close to the Franco-Batavian flotilla but were forced to move out of range.

[9] The small Batavian ships, however, offered little surface area for British gunners while the larger Royal Navy warships provided a much easier target.

After one last British attack on the Batavian gunboats, the French coastal batteries, now in range, managed to force them to head out back to sea.