From 1672 to 1763, France and England were at war intermittently, for a total of over 45 years, or one year in two.

oth English and French fishermen were caught in the turmoil. They had no choice but to set off for the fishery and confront the enemy at sea. This was particularly true of those from ports along the English Channel, who lived on the border of the two countries that were at war.

During those troubled times, fishing vessels often travelled in convoys, or at least carried more weapons than usual. The fishermen were older and the boys younger because they were replacing the men who had gone to war on Royal Navy ships. Many fishermen who were exempt from military service worked on privateers outfitted by private individuals, hoping to make a fortune from the booty taken from the enemy.