British VS. French
What happened during this battle?
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The French Commander De Grasse ordered his group of men to prepare for action on the morning of April 29, 1781. They sailed for Fort Royal with the armed ships in battle line. Sir Samual Hood's men were spotted around 8 am, slowly bearing
toward them, but de Grasse held the water gage.* At about 9:20, Hood was joined by Prince William, a 64-gun ship that had been at St. Lucia. The two fleets then continued to maneuver for advantage, but Hood's leeward position meant he was unable to prevent de Grasse from bringing the convoy to harbor, and the meeting of de Grasse's fleet and the four blockaded ships. Around 11:00, de Grasse's van began firing at long range, with no effect. By 12:30 the two fleets were aligned, but De Grasse refused to take advantage of the weather gage to close with Hood, in spite of Hood's efforts to bring the French to him. The fleets then exchanged cannonades and broadsides for the next hour, but at long range. The four British ships on the southern end of the line suffered the most damage, since they were targeted by eight French ships. Hood finally drew away toward St. Lucia. |
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