Battle of St Kitts

Battle of St. Kitts
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Battle of Frigate Bay, 1782, Hood's anchored fleet (left) repels the French fleet under de Grasse. From a painting by Nicholas Pocock
Date 24–25 January 1782 Location Off Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies Result British tactical victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Sir Samuel Hood	Comte de Grasse
Strength
22 ships of the line	26 ships of the line
Casualties and losses
72 killed and 244 wounded	107 killed and 204 wounded 1 ship captured

The Battle of Saint Kitts, also known as the Battle of Frigate Bay, was a naval battle that took place on 25 and 26 January 1782 during the American Revolutionary War between a British fleet under Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood and a larger French fleet under the Comte de Grasse.

When Hood returned to the West Indies in late 1781 after the Battle of the Chesapeake, he was for a time in independent command owing to Rodney's absence in England. The French Admiral, the Comte de Grasse, attacked the British islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis landing 6,000 men on St. Kitts and laying siege to the fortress on Brimstone Hill. Hood hoping to salvage the situation made for St Kitts with reinforcements; however he soon learned that he was facing a much superior force.

The British fleet on 24 January consisted of twenty-two sail of the line, and was close off the south-east end of Nevis. They ran into and captured the French 16-gun cutter Espion which carried a large amount of ammunition for the besieging French forces at Brimstone Hill.

At daybreak on 25 January, the French fleet was discovered having stood to the southward of Basseterre, comprising one 110 gun ship, twenty-eight two-decked ships, and two frigates. Hood stood towards the French fleet with the apparent intention of bringing on action, and effectively drew the French fleet off the land. No sooner had Hood effected this maneuver he was aided by a favourable change in wind and was able to guide his fleet within the anchorage of Basseterre, which the French admiral had just quit. Hood ordered his fleet in an L formation and then ordered his fleet to lay anchor. Comte de Grasse, in frustration made three distinct and vigorous attacks upon the British fleet on 26 January but was repulsed with great damage to his ships.

Losses on both sides were light but the French fleet had suffered considerable damage. Hood managed to stay in the position for another two weeks without further incident. Despite outmaneuvering de Grasse, Hood was unable to stop the island from surrendering to the French. The main factor was the successful French siege of Brimstone Hill fortress. The surrender occurred on 12 February and Hood left on the 14th. Hood then joined forces with the recently arrived Admiral George Rodney.

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