The next year war again broke out and the Batavian Navy was supposed to take part in the planned invasion of England. To this end a large flotilla of flat-bottomed boats was built in the Republic, that had to be transported over sea to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where the main invasion jump-off point was located. Ver Huell was selected to lead this dangerous mission as a vice-admiral. On 18 July 1805, aboard "Heemskerk", he was able to fend off an attack on this flotilla by admiral Sir William Sidney Smith near Cap Gris Nez. This feat under the eyes of Napoleon himself earned him the membership of the Légion d'honneur.