Battle of Saint Kitts
American War of Independence (Caribbean theater) · Saint Kitts, West Indies
Summary
On 25-26 January 1782, off Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts), Admiral Hood repulsed de Grasse's naval attacks off Frigate Bay, but failed to prevent the fall of the island besieged by the French since 11 January.
Historical context
After the Battle of the Chesapeake, de Grasse left Martinique on 11 January 1782 to attack Saint Christopher and Nevis; Hood, alone in the Antilles in Rodney's absence, arrived on 24 January with 22 ships to try to relieve the British garrison.
Tactics
Hood used a harassment tactic that forced de Grasse to leave his Basseterre anchorage to attack off Frigate Bay; exploiting the wind, Hood repulsed French assaults (107 killed, 207 wounded on the French side against 72 killed and 244 wounded on the British side).
Consequences
Despite Hood's brilliant maneuver, anchoring in Basseterre roadstead and disrupting the land siege, the island fell to the French; the West Indies war continued with the battles of the Saintes and Dominica in 1782.