Rodney and the Breaking of the Line
On 12 April 1782, the British Fleet under Admiral Lord George Rodney defeated the French at Les Iles des Saintes, in the Caribbean. Rodney employed a novel tactic of breaking through the enemy line. While this was the culmination of a distinguished but turbulent career, controversially Rodney was heavily criticized and relieved of his command for not pursuing the vanquished foe, yet they never again posed a threat to British interests in the West Indies. This book examines the life and career of one of the Royal Navy's most formidable figures, who, while brilliant, made enemies all too easily.
The biography of a major naval figure, whose career was dogged with controversy and ups-and-downs. Examines in detail the fascinating 'Battle of The Saintes' which has intrigued naval historians. Will appeal to the strong Napoleonic/Nelsonian market. |
Common terms and phrases
17 April action Admiralty America appointment arrived attack August Barbados Barham Papers Basseterre Battle of Martinique Bouillé British fleet British ships cables Cap Français Cape Captain captured Carkett centre Chesapeake Chevalier command Commander-in-Chief Commodore convoy Cornwallis division Dominica Douglas Drake enemy enemy's engage February fire flagship Fort Royal French fleet French line French ships frigates George Glorieux Grasse Grasse's Graves Papers Guadeloupe Guichen guns hauled Havre Hood Letters Hood's Hyde Parker Jamaica January July later Le Havre leading ship Leeward Islands line ahead line of battle London Lord Mahan Martinique Middleton miles Moonlight Battle Mundy Navy Nelson officers Paris prize money Rear Admiral Rodney Papers Rodney to Sandwich Rodney's Despatch Royal sailed Saintes Sandwich Papers sent signal for line Spanish Spinney squadron St Domingo St Eustatius St Kitts St Lucia St Vincent station Syrett took troops West Indies wind windward Zélé