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The Battle of the Saints, 12 April 1782: Surrender of the 'Ville de Paris'

Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

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Notes

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The Saints are a group of small islets in the West Indies which gave their name to the final sea battle of the War of American Independence, 1775–1783, which was fought between the British West Indies fleet commanded by Admiral Sir George Rodney, with 36 ships of the line, and his French counterpart, Vice-Admiral the Comte de Grasse with 30 ships of the line. De Grasse had sailed from Fort Royal, Martinique, with a trade convoy and a large military force. Having dispatched the former for Europe he aimed to move on to attack the British island of Jamaica. Rodney, watching from St Lucia, pursued him and fought a running action off Dominica on 9 April, concluding with a victorious set-piece battle south-west of the Saints three days later. Rodney is chiefly remembered for introducing the tactic of 'breaking the line' which he did against de Grasse as the two fleets passed on opposing courses and the French line was forced into more open order by a change of wind. Rodney led the way through a gap, casting the enemy into disorder by engaging from the opposite side. The tactic was subsequently adopted in the Navy as a desirable addition to fighting instructions.

National Maritime Museum

London

Title

The Battle of the Saints, 12 April 1782: Surrender of the 'Ville de Paris'

Date

1783

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 76.6 x W 123 cm

Accession number

BHC0446

Work type

Painting

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National Maritime Museum

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