Battle of Grenada

The naval Battle of Grenada was a naval battle between the British and French naval forces on July 6, 1779 off the island of Grenada.

Background

France had occurred in February 1778 in the American Revolutionary War on the side of the colonies. In August of the same year met a French squadron under Admiral Comte d' Estaing to support the Americans in New England one. In a first meeting with a British squadron under Admiral Richard Howe occurred despite long maneuvering to any battle. After the British had taken the island of St. Lucia in December, proposed a counter-attack failed under d' Estaing. In return, d'Estaing landed in Grenada to take the island.

The Battle

In the first week of July 1779 the French troops began to land in Grenada. On the morning of July 6, the squadron was with 25 ships of the line and 5 frigates and transport ships before the port of Saint George's. The British West Indies squadron under Vice- Admiral John Byron attacked with 21 ships of the line and a frigate. Byron, who saw the ships at anchor, location guessed a wrong and gave the command General hunting. The French succeeded rather quickly, to form up in line ahead, and the foremost attacking British ships were hit hard. Byron also tried once to form a keel line, but was repulsed in the further course of the French. Around noon, the battle ended with no clear result. Although some British ships were badly damaged, failed d' Estaing, to destroy them.