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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of letter from St. Eustatia detailing French capture of Grenada on July 12, naval engagement off Grenada on July 13 involving British Admiral Byron's 21 ships against French Count d'Estaing's fleet, British losses of nearly 1000 men and severe damage, French fleet appearing undamaged; later French taunt off St. Kitts on July 21-22.
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Extract of a letter from a Gentleman at St. Eustatia, who was in St. Kitts, when the English fleet arrived.
I cannot here give you so full an account of the engagement off Grenada as I could wish, for want of time. The island of Grenada was, I think, taken on Monday the 12th; their loss was trivial, as was that of the French. The next day (the 13th) Mr. Byron appeared with 21 sail of the line, expecting to find only 13 of the Count's. Admiral Barrington began the action and behaved with uncommon bravery, receiving the fire of six or even sail of the line for some minutes; the others were following as they could, till a signal for a line a head was thrown out; this kept some of the fleet from engaging at all; those that did were very roughly handled. The appearance of the fleet coming to anchor was shocking; their hulls and rigging tore to pieces. The Prince of Wales had 74 shot in the larboard side; the others not much better. The loss of killed and wounded is little short of 1000 men. A few days after the fleet came into St. Kitts, and the 21st the Count appeared off the harbour, and the 22d came so close that I watched for some minutes expecting the ships to fire on him. After insulting them in this manner he hove in stays and stood to the S. E. Since which we have seen nothing of him: It is supposed he is gone to Antigua; if so, he will settle the affairs of their islands. There are at that place ships stores to the amount of 200000l. sterling, and the fleet cannot, short of Jamaica, find a mast except there: They are in the most shattered condition can suppose. I saw every ship of the Count's, and could not observe any that were damaged to speak of. Things look very well in this quarter, and I doubt not but they do so with you.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Grenada
Event Date
Monday The 12th To The 22d
Key Persons
Outcome
grenada taken by french with trivial losses on both sides; british loss of nearly 1000 killed and wounded, ships severely damaged including prince of wales with 74 shot; french ships undamaged; french fleet taunts british off st. kitts then departs southeast, possibly to antigua.
Event Details
French captured Grenada on Monday the 12th with minimal losses. On the 13th, British Admiral Byron arrived with 21 sail expecting 13 French ships but faced more; Admiral Barrington initiated action bravely but signal delayed full engagement, resulting in rough handling for participating ships. Fleet anchored in shattered condition. Later, on the 21st and 22d, the Count's fleet appeared off St. Kitts harbor, taunted the British, then sailed southeast. British fleet in dire need of stores available in Antigua.