Battle of Grenada

The Battle of Grenada took place on 6 July 1779 during the American Revolutionary War in the West Indies between the British Royal Navy and the French Navy, just off the coast of Grenada. The British fleet of Admiral John Byron (the grandfather of Lord Byron) had sailed in an attempt to relieve Grenada, which the French forces of the Comte D'Estaing had just captured.

For the Reconquista battle, see Battle of Granada.
Battle of Grenada
Part of the American Revolutionary War

Battle of Grenada, Jean-François Hue
Date6 July 1779
Location
Off Grenada, Caribbean Sea
12.05°N 61.75°W / 12.05; -61.75
Result French victory
Belligerents
 France  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Charles Henri Hector John Byron
Strength
25 ships of the line 21 ships of the line
Casualties and losses
173 killed
773 wounded		 183 killed,
346 wounded

Incorrectly believing he had numerical superiority, Byron ordered a general chase to attack the French as they left their anchorage at Grenada. Because of the disorganized attack and the French superiority, the British fleet was badly mauled in the encounter, although no ships were lost on either side. Naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan described the British loss as "the most disastrous ... that the British Navy had encountered since Beachy Head, in 1690."

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