Such tactics cannot be named beside that of Solebay or the Texel; but as Duquesne was the best French officer of the century, with the possible exception of Tourville, this battle has a value of its own in the history of tactics, and may by no means be omitted.

The standing of the commander-in-chief is the warrant that it marks the highest point to which French naval tactics has as yet attained.

Before quitting this discussion, it may be noted that the remedy Clerk proposed was to attack the rear ships of the enemy's line, and preferably to leeward; the remainder of the fleet must then either abandon them or stand down for a general action, which according to his postulate was all that the English seamen desired.
After the fight De Ruyter sailed to Palermo, one of his ships sinking on the way.

Duquesne was joined outside Messina by the French division that had been lying there.

The remaining incidents of the Sicilian war are unimportant to the general subject.