Battle of Grenada

The Battle of Grenada took place on July 6 1779 during the American War of Independence in the West Indies between the British Royal Navy and the French Navy.

Origins

During the early part of 1779 the naval forces in the West Indies were mainly employed in watching one another. But in June, when the British Admiral Byron went to Antigua to guard the trade convoy on its way home, his opponent, the Comte d'Estaing first captured St Vincent, and then on the 4th of July Grenada. Byron sailed in hopes of saving the island, but arrived too late. A short action was fought off Grenada on the 6th of July.

The battle

The French fleet, under Admiral Comte d'Estaing, consisted of 25 ships of the line and several frigates. The British fleet, under Vice-Admiral John Byron, had 21 ships of the line and 1 frigate. The French were anchored off St. George's Town on the south-west of the island, and the English approached during the night. D’Estaing weighed at 4 A.M. and Byron chased. The British ships attacked in utter disorder and confusion. "Fame", "Lion" and two other ships got separated from the main body, and were very badly mauled. "Lion" was forced to run downwind to Jamaica to avoid capture. The French lost no ships and eventually hauled off. The British lost 183 killed and 346 wounded. "Fame" lost 4 killed and 9 wounded. The French lost 190 killed and 759 wounded.

The aftermath

The war now died down in the West Indies. Byron returned home in August. D'Estaing, after co-operating unsuccessfully with the Americans in an attack on Savannah in September also returned to Europe.

Order of battle

French Royal Navy

Vanguard

; Ships of the line
*"Zélé" (74)
*"Fantasque" (64)
*"Magnifique" (74)
*"Tonnant" (80)
*"Protecteur" (74)
*"Fier" (50)
*"Dauphin-Royal" (70)
*"Provence" (64)
*"Prudente"

; Frigates
*"Diligente" (28)
*"Fortunée" (32)
*"Ellis" (20)
*"Concorde"
*"Étourdie"
*"Blanche"

Main corps

; Ships of the line
*"Fendant" (74)
*"Artésien" (64)
*"Fier-Rodrigue" (50)
*"Hector" (74)
*"Languedoc" (80)
*"Robuste" (74)
*"Vaillant" (64)
*"Sagittaire" (54)
*"Guerrier" (74)

; Frigates
*"L'Alcmène" (28)
*"La Chimère" (32)
*"Iphigénie" (32)
*"Lively" (24)
*"Cérès" (18)

Rear guard

; Ships of the line
*"Sphinx" (64)
*"Diadème" (74)
*"L'Amphion" (50)
*"Marseillais" (74)
*"César" (74)
*"Vengeur" (64)
*"Réfléchi" (64)
*"Annibal" (74)

; Frigates
*"L'Amazone" (32)
*"La Boudeuse" (32)

; Cutter
*"L'Alerte" (14)

; Fluyt
*"Ménagère" (30)

; Schooner
*"Barington

References

ee also

* Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War

External links

* [http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/04histoire/dossierdushd/yorktown/flotte.htm Etat des forces navales françaises engagées dans la guerre d’indépendance des Etats-Unis]