Hervé Riel

Twenty-one ships, under Pannetier, were anchored west of Cap de la Hague, while the remainder, under Tourville, were to the east.

As the tide started to flood and the wind rose, Tourville's squadron was swept east, pursued by Russell.

Pannetier, wishing to escape, thought to sail through the Race, but his navigators demurred, fearing the passage of this turbulent channel, with its dangerous lee shore and rocky bottom offering little purchase if they needed to anchor.

Pannetier agreed, and with Riel's guidance piloted the flagship (Grand, 80 guns) through the Race, followed by the rest of the squadron.

Browning wrote the poem in 1871, and intended the proceeds be used to support the people of France suffering during the Siege of Paris (1870–1871).