7eat51
04-17-2013, 06:08
On the 17th of April 1780, British and French ships engaged in the Battle of Martinique in the West Indies. The French, under the command of Comte de Guichen, setoff from Martinique a few days earlier, hoping the British would follow. After drawing the British to sea, de Guichen planned on fleeing from his pursuers and attack either the base from which the British sailed or one located at Barbados. The British, under the command of Admiral Sir George Rodney, spotted the French ships on the 16th, and pursued them throughout the day and night. During the morning hours of the 17th, the British fleet had closed on the rear of the French, to which de Guichen responded by changing direction and elongating his line. For the next several hours, Rodney maneuvered his fleet into position to attack the center and rear of de Guichen’s line, hoping to inflict significant damage before the front of the French fleet would be able to engage. Rodney signaled to his captains to attack matched ships with the understanding that the rear of the French line was the target. Robert Carkett, commander of the lead British ship HMS Stirling Castle, instead moved toward the front of de Guichen’s line, drawing the British into a ship-to-ship engagement. The French commanders’ swift actions, along with Comte de Grasse’s drawing together of the French line, converted near defeat into a draw. After the battle, charges of blame were levied between Rodney, Carkett, and other officers for the lack of a British victory.
Comte de Guichen:
4011
Comte de Grasse:
4012
Sir George Rodney:
4013
The Battle:
4014
For information on today’s event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Martinique_(1780)
Comte de Guichen:
4011
Comte de Grasse:
4012
Sir George Rodney:
4013
The Battle:
4014
For information on today’s event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Martinique_(1780)