Battle of Grenada

For the Reconquista battle, see Battle of Granada.
Battle of Grenada
Part of the American Revolutionary War and the Anglo-French War (1778–1783)

Naval battle off the island of Grenada, 6 July 1779
Jean-François Hue, 1789
Date6 July 1779
Location
Off Grenada, Caribbean Sea
12°03′N 61°45′W / 12.05°N 61.75°W / 12.05; -61.75
Result French victory
Belligerents
France Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Count of Estaing John Byron
Strength
25 ships of the line
2 frigates		 21 ships of the line
1 post ship
Casualties and losses
173 killed
773 wounded		 183 killed
346 wounded

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. A British fleet led by Admiral John Byron (the grandfather of Lord Byron) had sailed in an attempt to relieve Grenada, which French forces under Charles Henri Hector, Count of Estaing had just captured.

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 Navy's numerical superiority, Byron's fleet was badly mauled in the encounter, although no ships were lost on either side. Naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan described the battle as "the most disastrous... that the British Navy had encountered since Beachy Head, in 1690."

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