American War of Independence (Caribbean theater)

On 15 December 1778, Vice Admiral d'Estaing, superior in naval strength, cannonaded Barrington's Royal Navy at anchor off Saint Lucia from a distance without destroying it, then attempted a landing to retake the island recently occupied by the British; the land operation ended in bloody failure and British domination was maintained.

The naval Battle of Grenada is a French victory that allows d'Estaing to maintain control of the Caribbean and support French and American operations against the British.

The Battle of Saint Kitts is a French victory that consolidates French mastery of this strategic island and weakens the British fleet in the Caribbean.

The naval Battle of Dominica is a French victory that inflicts heavy losses on the British fleet, strengthening the French position in the Caribbean.

The Battle of Saint Vincent is a French victory in the Caribbean, where Guichen's fleet repulses the British fleet, consolidating French domination in the region.

From 9 to 12 April 1782 off the Îles des Saintes in the Antilles, Admiral Rodney crushed De Grasse's French fleet. On 12 April Rodney broke the French line by piercing its center ('breakthrough maneuver') and captured or destroyed seven ships. De Grasse was taken prisoner; France lost control of the Antilles.

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.