CHAPTER VI

OPERATIONS IN THE WEST INDIES, 1778-1779. THE BRITISH INVASION OF GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA

Influence of Seasonal Conditions upon Naval Operations in America [98]

Commercial Importance of the West Indies [98]

The French seize Dominica [99]

D'Estaing Sails with his Fleet from Boston for Martinique [100]

A British Squadron under Hotham sails the same day for Barbados, with Five Thousand Troops [100]

Admiral Barrington's Seizure of Santa Lucia [101]

D'Estaing sails to Recapture it [102]

Rapidity and Skill shown in Barrington's Movements and Dispositions [102]

D'Estaing's attacks Foiled, both on Sea and on Shore [103]

He Abandons the attempt and Returns to Martinique [104]

Importance of Santa Lucia in Subsequent Operations [104]

Byron Reaches Barbados, and takes over Command from Barrington [105]

D'Estaing Captures the British Island Grenada [105]

Byron goes to its Relief [106]

The Action between the two Fleets, of Byron and d'Estaing, July 6, 1779 [106]

Criticism of the two Commanders-in-Chief [110]

D'Estaing returns to Grenada, which remains French [112]

Byron returns to England. British North American Station assigned to Admiral Arbuthnot, Leeward Islands to Rodney [113]

British Operations in Georgia and South Carolina. Capture of Savannah [113]

Fatal Strategic Error in these Operations [114]

D'Estaing's attempt to Retake Savannah Foiled [115]

His appearance on the coast, however, causes the British to abandon Narragansett Bay [115]

D'Estaing succeeded by de Guichen in North America. Rodney also arrives [115]