alj Volume 5, Issue 1 November-December 1998

I A Newsletter for the Supporters of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum Hey, Whatever Happened to That De Grasse Fellow Anyway? The Fate of America's Favorite French Admiral After the Battle of the Virginia Capes by Hunt Lewis

ur Admiral is six feet tall on finally recognized American and to the King (King Louis XVI that ordinary days, and six feet six independence. is), everyone got to matters of on battle days," said one of his During the five days following the De Grasse continued on page 6 sailors. This six foot-two admiral, Battle of the Capes on Sept. 5, Franyois-Joseph Paul, Comte de 178 I, the British and French Grasse, Marquis de Grasse-Tilly, was fleets continued to jockey for increasingly known as the leader of the the weather gauge off the French fleet that repulsed the British Virginia Capes, but the British in the Battle of the Capes. This victory avoid action. De Grasse's fleet blocked reinforcements being sent to reentered Lynnhaven Bay on Gen. Cornwallis' s army at Yorktown; the II"'· The British under Adm. thus setting the stage for the Franco­ Graves, withdrew towards New American victory there a month later. York the following day, having In most U.S. histories and U.S. realized "the impracticability of Naval histories, the Comte de Grasse giving any effectual succor to disappears after the Battle of the Capes. Gen. Earl Cornwallis." After all, in our often myopic view he On Sept. 17, Gens. is French, therefore, after he ceased to Washington, Rochambeau, be of help to us, what happened to him Henry Knox, the Marquis de La is not our concern. But it should be. Fayette, Lt. Col. Alexander His later misfortune during another sea Hamilton, and Governor battle gave him a chance to be Benjamin Harrison arrived instrumental in bringin.g about the aboard the flower-bedecked Treaty of Paris on Sept. 3, 1783, which and freshly painted Ville de ended the almost world-wide war Paris to confer with de Grasse . .--..""'-•"· between France and Britain and their On hearing de Grasse's greeting • allies. It was in this treaty, that Britain of "My dear little General" to Gen. Washington, some said Inside The Day Book that Henry Knox could not The Director's Column ...... 2 maintain the gravity ofthat first meeting, and laughed so hard Adm. Franr;ois-Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse as he With the Great De Grasse ...... 4 that his rather rotund sides appearedinal782Englishnewspap~r. Thoughhewasth_eir Volunteer News and Notes ...... 9 enemy, de Grasse became a celebnty among the English The Museum Sage...... lO shoke. royalty and was very well treated. (HRNM photo ofa 1782 After toasts to Independence London Magazine engraving.) The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 Dive into History The Director's Column ....,.,. _ _,_._ by Becky Poulliot

y the time you receive this issue of The Daybook, HRNM Bcivilian, military, and docent staff will be undertaking their first go round at a new educational program for 3,000 sixth graders. Each one of the students are being taught on-site in the museum within a 30 day period. Yes, an average of 100 students arrive each morning in three groups. Museum staff are embarking on this program in conjunction with Nauticus, filling one thirty minute segment of the Center's three-part educational program that is loosely based on the Henrietta Marie travelling exhibit. Students from Azalea Gardens Middle School atlempl /o determine if the artifact is from the sloop­ of-war USSCumberland (Photo by Gordon Calhoun) Our museum provides a direct Navy tie in with the late 17'h century slave later was sunk in Hampton Roads "hot" right now with the release of the ship exhibit. As our current show "The during the Civil War. movie Titanic. With the help of Africa Squadron" demonstrates, it was The Cumberland's connection to education consultant Mike Taylor, we the U.S. Navy's job to prevent slave Hampton Roads and the museum' s have created a program where the ships from reaching this country. One deep interest in preserving its artifacts children join an underwater of the Africa Squadron's flagships was provide the focus for this educational archaeology firm to find the the sloop-of-war Cumberland, which program. Underwater archeology is Cumberland. Props and interaction are the key. Six graders are extremely intelligent and yet bore easily, requiring 4lit:NAVAi*MuSEUM a fast paced format. Stop by the museum to see this program before it Local History. World Events. ends on Nov. 24. About The Day Book HRNM Staff Programs like this sixth grade

The Day Book is an authorized publication of the endeavor would not be possible Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Its contents do Director without the assistance of our not necessarily reflect the official view of the U.S. Becky Poulliol volunteers. A big show of appreciation Curator Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy or for their efforts comes on Jan. 28, 1999 the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof. Joe Judge The HRNM is a museum dedicated to the study of 220 years Education Specialist when the Hampton Roads Naval of naval history in the Hampton Roads region. The museum Bob Malleson Historical Foundation hosts a volunteer is open daily from I 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Exhibits Specialist recognition dinner. Mark your Marla Nelson The Day Book's purpose is to educate and inform readers calendars! A planning committee is on historical topics and museum related events. It is written Museum Technician by the staff and volunteers of the museum. Ofelia Elbo working on an evening of elegant • Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton HRNMOIC dining and entertainment. Bring your Roads Naval Museum editor. The Day Book can be reached Ensign Rod Hartsell dancing shoes if you like swing music. HRNM LPO/TPU Admin. at (757) 322-2993, by fax at (757) 445-1867, e-mail at See page 9 for more information. Look [email protected], or write The Day Book, Hampton FC I (SW) Mike Rosa Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive, Suite 248, Editor ojThe Day Book for your invitations right after New Norfolk, VA 23510-1607. The museum can be found on the Gordon Calhoun Years'. Till then, Happy Holidays! World Wide Web at http://naval-station.norfolk.va.us/ Director, HRNHF navy.html. The Day Book is published bi-monthly with a Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, ;d:c:.l!u circulation of I ,200. Contact the editor for a free subscription. USMC (Ret)

2 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998

TN A'fY PUT' EM ACROS$

'-.::::: The Service for Trave and Training And Now You Have the Opportunity to Tell the World About It!

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is currently looking for new docents. If you are interested in U.S. Naval history, the HRNM is the place for you. Classes start on February 16.

r::tfj=' Call Bob Matteson at 757-322-2986 for more information .

•

Local History. World Events.

3 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 An American Among the Great de Grasse by Preston Turpin ost among the discussions of the Virginia Capes' campaign and L its larger than life personalities is a Virginia merchant captain by the name of John Sinclair. This Hampton Roads-native led a life that is usually only portrayed in novels. He was a merchant captain, a messenger, a pirate, and possibly a pilot in the American Revolution's most important \ naval battle. John Sinclair was a native of what is now Hampton, VA, which at that time was part of one of the original counties of Virginia named Elizabeth City. His father was a sea captain and merchant. Like many colonists, \ \ Sinclair's father held a great dislike for \ \ the British and was an ardent patriot. \ \ It would follow that his son would also

fall into that category. In 1776, the \\ \ younger Sinclair was 22 years old and Based on conversations with Sinclair 's decedents and other research material, historian Claude full of himself as a rather headstrong Lancia no produced this drawing ofCapt . John Sinclair. (19 74 drawing used with permission from person. He was, however, to all Claude 0. Lancia no, Jr. ) accounts an extremely intelligent and sell at a profit. Sinclair spent most of and crew to deliver the urgent message. quick-witted person. his time, however, sneaking cargo out Virginia officials turned to Sinclair to At this time there was no money to (specifically indigo) of the Caribbean accomplish this mission. Sinclair's establish either a Navy or persons to on his ship Molly. He later left Molly blockade-running activities had earned train a group to mount a defense against and took over the schooner Nicholson. him a very good reputation throughout the mighty Royal Navy. Accordingly, Sinclair continued his privateer the colony as a natural choice. Sinclair individual states formed their own career up to 1780. At this time, the reported to Lafayette. They navies to act against the British. young French general Marquis de immediately took to one another. Virginia was one of the leading states Lafayette and American leader Gen. Lafayette shared all the messages with in forming its own navy and one of the Nathaniel Greene were falling back Sinclair and cautioned him to jettison leading shipbuilding states as well. through North Carolina before the them should he be approached by the (See Vol. 2 Issue 3 of The Daybook for forces of Lord Cornwallis. When British. Lafayette had little to worry more information on the Virginia State Cornwallis turned away from the allied about as Sinclair traveled from Navy.) forces and headed towards Yorktown, Hampton Roads to New York in a very The Governor of Virginia appointed Lafayette sensed a golden opportunity. speedy three days, a truly remarkable Sinclair a captain in the state navy. The He needed to get a message to Gen. time . • state also issued him a letter of marquee George Washington, who was With his mission successfully and reprisal, which permitted him to act watching the British army in New York completed, Sinclair returned to as a privateer against British City, and to the French naval Virginia with de Barras' reply. The commerce, a common practice commander Adm. De Barras in Rhode exact content of the messages are sti II throughout the thirteen colonies. The Island. unknown. One can assume it had marquee allowed Sinclair to capture Since ground communications were something to do with the movement of British ships and their cargo and then notoriously slow, Lafayette asked the the French fleets from Rhode Island bring them back to a friendly port to Virginia government to provide a ship Sinclair continued on page 5

4 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998

Call 322-2993 or 664-1000 for more information ilbNA.vAi*Mus£uM L o c • I Hi 1 tory. Wo r I,/ E ., e,. t s.

This is a picture of I he gift sword presented to Sinclair by the French. Lafayelle had personally recommended to de Grasse thai Sinclair receive the gift in recognition of Sinclair's contribution lo the vic lory a/ York/own and I he Bailie off I he Capes. The sword disappeared from a museum in Hampton, VA and is sli/1 missing. (/llustralion provided by Claude Lanciano, Jr.) Sinclair continued from page 4 and the Caribbean to Virginia. The Pleased with Sinclair's contribution As for Sinclair's ships, Molly does not overall French naval cor;nmander, to the French victory, Lafayette appear on the list of ships in 1781 and Adm. de Grasse, soon after arrived with petitioned de Grasse to present the more than likely was lost. Nicholson thirty four battleships. While in the Virginia captain with some kind of did survive the war and earned a proud Virginia area, the French hired 25 pilots reward for his service. Lafayette, record. to assist them in navigating the local specifically had an official sword in Sinclair continued to have an waters. We do know for sure that two mind. De Grasse agreed with the adventurous life after Yorktown. His of the pilots were from the Hampton young general and personally made the adventurers included service as a Roads area. One was named Capt. John presentation. The sword itself privateer for the French during the Pasteur and the other was a slave from remained in the family's possession for Napoleonic Wars. To read more about the Norther Neck named Caeser five generations until they turned it him fmd a copy of Capt. John Sinclair Tarrant. Sinclair more than likely was over to the Syrus-Eaton Museum in of Virginia by Claude 0 . Lanciano, jr. ~· one of the 25, but definitive proof has Hampton. It disappeared in 1974 and The editor would like lo thank Claude 0. not been found. has been missing ever since. Lanciano for his assistance with this article.

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~~~*:~. i~ ~"'"'~' On April I 2, 1782, de Grasse elected to turn his .fleet around to recover the ill-fated and struggling ship-of-the-lineleie. His .fleet soon encountered a large British fleet under the command ofAdm. Sir George Rodney near The Saints island group north ofMartinique. Largely because ofinsubordination from his two subordinate admirals, de Grasse was decisively defeated by Rodney. The British captured both de Grasse and hisjlagshi/Jiille de Paris. (Engraving taken from 25 Centuries of Sea Warfare by Jacques Morda/, copyright Souvenir Press Ltd. Used with permission.) De Grasse continued from page 1 importance. Although under previous the French Flag, leads both nations to convoy of almost 150 ships filled with instruction to depart for the Caribbean look to you as the Arbiter of War," and the richness of the French possessions. by the 15th of October, de Grasse agreed that "Public an Private motives make The intended course would take the fleet to Washington's request that the fleet me most ardently wish that the next and convoy though the passage between remain through the end of that month. campaign may be calculated to crown all Dominica and Guadaloupe, where the Another "Battle of the Capes" almost your former victories." convoy part of this French armada would developed at the end of the month but De Grasse wrote to his naval minister break off for France. violent winds prevent it from happening. (e.g., Secretary of the Navy) requesting Almost immediately, problems began The British returned to the area with 25 a replacement due to illness. "My to afflict the French fleet. The 80-gun ships-of-the-line, two 50-gunners, and illness," he wrote "grows worse each day Saint-Esprit dropped out because of an eight frigates, even though en-route they and I have no idea when it will end. The incompletely repaired leak. As the task learned of Cornwallis's surrender. De longer I live the more I am convinced a force worked its way northward, it was Grasse wrote Washington, "If the British man of sixty has no business being in beset with light airs and calms. The 74 continue to remain before the Bay, I owe command of a fleet such as this." gun-Zete collided with a 64-gun, forcing it to the Flag to chase them off. I would Unfortunately, there was no one to her to drop out for repair. The Zele, have sailed out yesterday had not the replace him. herself damaged, becomes the fleet's winds been from the east." The British Beginning January 1782, British albatross, that struggled to keep up with possibly suffered from those same winds possessions began to fall to de Grasse's the other ships. De Grasse's effective as they departed for New York the fleet. Soon the only islands still under fighting force dropped to 30 ships-of­ afternoon of the 30th. British control in the West Indies were the-line. On Nov. 4, the French fleet sailed for Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, and St. As de Grasse readied his forces at the Caribbean. The Caribbean during the Lucia. Fort Royal, Adm. Sir George Rodney • American Revolution was a valuable On AprilS, de Grasse sailed from Fort arrived in Barbados from England with economic prize that the French hoped to Royal, Martinique with his entire fleet 12 ships-of-the-line. Six days later, he gain total control over during the war. of33 ships-of-the-line headed for Saint­ took overall command of the forces of Before his departure, de Grasse received Domingue (present day Haiti). Adm. Sir Samuel Hood and Adm. a letter from Gen. Washington saying, According to plan, the French would join Drake (two of the three British admirals "The triumphant manner in which Yr. with 12 Spanish ships-of-line and 15,000 at the Battle of the Virginia Capes). Excellency has maintained the mastery troops for an attack on the British colony Rodney's force now had an aggregate of the American Seas, and the glory of Jamaica. Ahead ofhim was an immense De Grasse continued on page 7

6 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 De Grasse continued from page 8 strength of 36 ships-of-the-line. four heavily damaged French ships Jamaica, de Grasse had hoped to be Rodney anticipated the movements hauled down their flags. Finally, Ville taken directly to France, but Rodney of the French and positioned his de Paris herself struck her colors. The designates the HMS Sandwich to take scouting frigates to watch their French flagship had no cartridges for him to England because it was movements. On learning of the French her cannon. As a result, French "elegantly and commodiously fitted for fleet's departure, Rodney set off in gunners had to load gunpowder into the the passage." The French admiral pursuit. Over a period of days, the fleets cannon muzzles literally by the arrived in England on Aug. 2 where the closed for battle. spoonful. De Grasse was said to have British invited him to lodge in the On the night of April II , the Zele ordered his personal silverware cast Palace of St. James. He declined, collided for the 14'h time during her into cannon balls. indicating that he did not wish to be thirteen month cruise by running into The next morning, amidst the separated from his officers. On Aug. the Ville de Paris and, in so doing, she carnage of dead and wounded on the 9, he was presented to King George III lost her bowsprit and mizzenmast. Zele quarterdeck of Ville de Paris, de who returned his sword to him and a had to be taken in tow by a frigate. De Grasse surrendered his sword to Capt. struck up a conversation on naval Grasse's remarks to the skipper of the Lord Cranston who had been directed matters. The British king carefully Zele were not translated in one French to take possession of the flagship. avoided talking about the current war account of the battle because of their Although he was on the exposed deck out of courtesy. content. throughout the battle, de Grasse had During the ten days, he was in On April 12, after he ordered the suffered only a bruise to his loins from England, de Grasse became quite the convoy to anchor at Basse-Terre, de a splinter. Of the Ville de Paris's crew rage. His portrait was painted and all Grasse attempted to rescue Zele and her escort, which were being chased by four British ships. The two fleets engaged at close range on opposite courses near a group of small islands north of Martinique known as The Saints. Adm. Bougainville had the van, de Grasse the center, and Adm. Vaudreuil the rear. As the French van approached the British rear, de Grasse signaled his fleet to reverse course so that the action could continue on parallel courses, but the signal was disobeyed by hi s squadron commanders. The botched course reversal together with a wind shift opened gaps in the French line-of-battle. Rodney split the French line into four parts. Bougainville's squadron sailed away out of the battle and Vaudreuil's sailed out of firing range. Vaudreuil attempted to return, but was too late to be of much use. The British concentrate on the abandoned French Shown here is a 1782 Brilish car/oon of de Grasse surrendering lo Rodney shorlly after !he Bailie center. Vaudreuil and Bougainville of/he Sainls. De Grasse look his crilicism ofhis subordina/e admirals public and blamed !hem for !he defeal. His public crilicism crealed a major falling ou/ wilh !he French royal courl. The king • later claimed the signal was impossible ofFrench even/ually forgave de Grasse, bul only a year before !he admiral died. (Drawing copyrighl to execute. Had it been executed, the The Brilish Museum, London. Used wilh permission) British would not have able to make of I ,300, approximately 400 were the high-born ladies competed for the decisive maneuver of the battle. killed and 800 wounded. miniatures while their husbands waited The battle rose and fell in intensity Cranston took de Grasse aboard in line to meet him. as the wind changed. De Grasse Rodney's flagship, HMS Formidable, The cascading events that started unsuccessfully tried to reform his line­ and was treated more as an honored with the Battle of the Capes, followed of-battle. As the afternoon dragged on, guest than a prisoner. After arrival in De Grasse continued on page 8

7 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998

the Saints, he fell back out of favor. n ris tJvfajesty wou{a That report contained severe accusations against many of his subordinates for not following orders, fl. we{{ suppose tliat you and for not supporting the flagship. Worse, de Grasse went public with the a ia a{{ in your power to accusations. Though the Navy was being rebuilt to a greater strength than prevent tfie misfortunes of tliat before the battle, the accusations were bad publicity. Ultimately, a four and a half month "Counseil de Guerre" or aay, 6ut fie is not a6{e to liave court martial convicted many officers. The courts reprimanded tfie same inau{ gence regaraing Bougainville. Other officers' sentences varied from prison to reprimand. Since de Grasse himself was never tried, he acts wfiicfi you liave im putea remained the scapegoat for the loss in the eyes of many, neither convicted nor unjust{ y to tfiose officers of exonerated. De Grasse asked the King to pass judgment on his actions. In tfie navy wfio fiave 6een reply, the MinisterofMarine, Castries, wrote, " His Majesty would well suppose that you did all in your power acquittea of tfie accusations . to prevent the misfortunes of that day, but he is not able to have the same :J{is tJvfajesty,aisp{easea at indulgence regarding acts which you have imputed unjustly to those officers of the navy who have been acquitted your cona uct in tliat respect, of the accusations. His Majesty, displeased at your conduct in that for6itf s you to present yourself respect, forbids you to present yourself before him ." 6e fore fiim." The admiral left naval life to become a gentleman farmer at his Chateau de -'Tiie :frencli %inister of %arine to J4.am. de (jrasse, 1782 Tilly about forty miles northeast of Paris. There he improved agriculture, De Grasse continued f rom page 7 landscaped a park, and added a tower to the local church. While his own by Cornwallis' defeat at Yorktown had prolonged basis, toward peace. Britain people shunned de Grasse, in the caused the downfa ll of the British and America had arrived at a separate United States he was still a hero. A Prime Minister Lord North. The peace, but it was not to take effect until group of American veterans elected the En glish people had had enough of the the overall peace treaty took effect. After admiral to be one of the founding costly American war. The Prime the two countries signed the treaty, Lord members of the Society of the Minister Lord Shelburne held several Shelburne wrote de Grasse "This is the Cincinnati in 1783, an organization conversations with de Grasse as to the least tribute which is due you for having honoring those who helped the United terms on which the great powers could been so good as to open the door by your States to gain its independence. The fmd agreement. De Grasse became so mediation for negotiations which have so following year, the King permitted de convinced of British sincerity that on his happily ended the war." Grasse to receive four cannons from the return to France as a paroled prisoner of De Grasse's return to France was not Battle of Yorktown, sent to him by the war he had his nephew orally pass the so happy. The Parisian ladies were American Congress. Sometime in secret terms on to the French Minister of jealous of the attention he received in 1786, the Court restored its favor to State, the Count de Vergennes. England and jokes at his expense made him, and he was again able to enjoy Vergennes was favorably impressed, and the rounds. His diplomatic efforts won Parisian society. But his restoration was from then on Britain and France the favor of the Court, but because of short, for he passed into his tory in negotiated, although on a somewhat his after-action report on the Battle of January, 1788 at the age of s i x t y - s i x. ~

8 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 Volunteer News & Notes Docent Recognition Party e are please to announce that a recognize those docents who have put more help. The third grade "Life at WDocent Recognition Party will in long hours of volunteering. Look Sea" program starts up in January. be held on Jan. 28, 1999 at 6:30p.m. for more information in the mail Next Docent Training Class This year's party will be held on the sometime after New Year's. .., Snug Harbor Club (also known as the The museum will convene a new ' Officers' Club) at the Little Creek Third and Sixth Grade Program .l docent training class on Feb. 16. Amphibious Base. This festival will A s a reminder the joint HRNM/ The class will last to April 6. If you include a sit down feast of steak and .L-\N au tic us sixth grade program know somebody who you think would th e club' s specality fresh butterfly continues throughout November. be interested in becoming a docent, shrimp. It will feature background Check the schedule for dates and times. have them call Bob at 322-2986. music as entertainment. The party will Many thanks to those who are Many thanks to those who have also include an awards program to participating, but we still could use agreed to help Bob teach. If you have forgotten when your session is, contact Bob. The End of This Section

his will be the last Daybook with a Tregular volunteer news and notes section. The newsletter will change to a quarterly format starting with the next issue. Timely information to the volunteers will be become impossible under the new format. This makes it more important than ever to watch for the calender mailings which will include needed information. The new format will continue to recognize the volunteers and all the good things they do for the museum. ~

Museum director Becky Poul/iot shows six graders from Azalea Gardens Middle School an artifact from the sloop-of-war USSCumberland (Photo by Gordon Calhoun) Coming in February ... A New & hnproved Daybook r:::tr Larg~r Format in Living, Breathing Color Expanded Coverage of the U.S. Navy's r:::ir Legendary History in Hampton Roads • r:::tr Reviews of the Latest Books in U.S. Naval History

r:::tr Plus Continued Insightful Commentaries on D. S. Naval History from the Museum Sage

9 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998

Putting the Victory Of the Virginia Capes in the Grand Scheme of the Cosmos May 28-June 2, 1692-Battle of La Hague (The War of the now, you are no doubt familiar with the 1781 Battle League of Augsburg) Setting: The French assemble an fthe Virginia Capes. In case you are not, The Sage invasion force to restore a pro-French king to the English ighly recommends Block the Chesapeake by the throne. The British and the Dutch assemble a fleet almost museum's very own Jack Robertson. If we take one step twice the size of the French to prevent an invasion. back from the actual battle and look at its consequences, we Result: English victory Despite being outnumbered, the see how Washington and Rochambeau were able to win at French ships attack and fight well at first. Eventually, Yorktown because the big, bad British were cut off from however, the battle turns against them and they retreat back the outside world by the French fleet. As a result, Cornwallis to French ports. surrenders and we win our independence two years later. It was a glorious victory. August 24, 1704-Battle of Malaga (War of the Spanish Or was it? Succession) Setting: The French dispatch a large fleet (51 If we take another step back and look at the overall history ships-of-the-line) to recapture Gibraltar from a joint British­ of the conflict between the French and English navies, we Dutch fleet. find some disturbing facts. Between 1340 and 1815, the Result: English victory The battle itself is bloody but French won two major naval (two and 1/3 if you wish to get indecisive. The French fail to force the allied fleet from the technical) battles over the British. One of them is the Battle area. This allows the British to hold on to Gibraltar which of the Virginia Capes. Here is a review: they still hold to this day.

June 24, 1340-Battle ofSiuys (The Hundred Years' War) February 22, 1744-Battle of Toulon (War of the Austrian Setting: Attempting to intercept an English invasion, a Succession) Setting: A British fleet of 28 battleships French fleet sails out and meets an English fleet under the encounters a joint Franco-Spanish fleet of 27 battleships command of King Edward lll in the English channel. neat Toulon, France. Result: English victory. French fleet is destroyed. English Result: Indecisive. Both sides maneuver throughout the day, are able to ship troops over to France without any hindrance but few ships are able to get into firing position and for the rest of the war and go on to conquer half of France. eventually break off from the battle with minor losses.

July 10, 1690-Battle of Beachy Head (The War of the November 20, 1759-Battle of Quiberon Bay (The Seven League of Augsburg. Also known by three other names) Years or French and Indian War) Setting: A British Setting: After an alliance is made between England and blockade fleet of 27 battleships sites a French fleet of 21 Holland, the French send a fleet of70 ships-of-the-line into battleships and 2 frigates heading for Quiberon Bay in the English channel to put a more friendly English king back France and closes to intercept. on the throne. The allies counter with 57 battleships. Result: English Victory. The British catch the rear of the Result: French victory. Thanks in large part to superior French fleet and destroy it. The remaining French ships training and greater numbers, the French drive the Allies either run aground, flee southward towards Rochefort, or from the channel and destroy a large part of their fleet. This flee into the Vilaine Estuary. is the only other major battle which the French Navy defeats the English. The French, however, do not exploit their Aprill7, 1780-Battle of Martinique (The War of American command of the Channel. The Sage rambles some more on page 11

10 The Daybook Nov.-Dec. 1998 The Sage continues from page 10 lost. The French withdraw. However, the Hampton Roads Independence)- Setting: A British fleet under the command convoy arrives in France unscathed. of Adm. Rodney encounters Adm. De Guchien off the French colony of Martinique. August I, 1798-Battle of the Nile (The War of the French Result: English victory. The English win this battle but Revolution) Setting: Upon hearing of a French invasion of only by blind stupid luck. Rodney orders his fleet to attack Egypt, the British send a fleet to sweep the French from the the rear of the French line. Because of a miscommunication Eastern Mediterranean. in flags, (a Ia Battle of the Virginia Capes) the British fleet Result: English victory. The British Fleet under the engages the entire French fleet, not just the rear. Rodney's command of Adm. Nelson destroys most of the French Fleet flagship is badly shot up and unable to maneuver, drifts and cuts off the French invasion force. through the French line. De Guchien sees this as a brilliant English battle maneuver, panics, and orders a retreat. July 22, 1805-Battle of Cape Finisteere (The Napoleonic War)-Setting: A join Franco-Spanish fleet returns from the September 5, 1781-Battle of the Virginia Capes (The War West Indies only to run into a British fleet off the northwest of American Independence)-French victory. For details, coast of Spain. find a copy of Block the Chesapeake. Result: Indecisive. However, the French give up invasion plans of England as a result of the battle. The British capture January 25-26, 1782-Battle of St. Kitts (The War of two Spanish ships, but fail to decisively defeat the allied American Independence)-Scene: A British fleet of 22 fleet. The British admiral in charged is later dismissed. The battleships under Adm. Hood sights and engages a fleet of Allied fleet retreats to Cadiz. 24 battleships under de Grasse near the British colony of St. Kitts. Hood orders his ships to drop anchor and attack. October 21, 1805-Battle of Trafalgar (The Napoleonic Result: English victory, but not by much. De Grasse War) Scene: Ordered to sail into the Mediterranean, the launches two attacks over a course of two days. Seeing that joint Franco-Spanish fleet attempts to break out of Cadiz. he is starting to lose the battle, he orders his ships to call off Warned by his frigates, Adm. Nelson intercepts the enemy the attack and retreat from the area. Hood also leaves the fleet off the coast of Cape Trafalgar. area to join up with Adm. Rodney. Result: English victory, by a wide margin. Nelson's fleet wins the most decisive naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars. April 12, 1782-Battle of the Saints (The War of American Most of the French and Spanish fleet are captured or sunk. lndependence)-English Victory see front-page article. French naval power in Europe is broken once and for all.

April 12, 1782-Battle of Providen (The War of American Now for those of you keeping score, out of 14 major lndependence)-Setting: Off the coast of what is now known battles, the English won nine of them. Three of them ended as Sri Lanka, a British fleet of II battleships under the in a tie. It is somewhat remarkable for that long a stretch, command of Adm. Huges and encounter a French fleet of the French people would build their navy a new fleet every 12 battleships under the command of Commodore Suffern. time the English destroyed or humiliated one. We should Result: Indecisive. After heavy exchanges, both sides count our lucky stars, that the French decided to win a battle withdraw. Over the next five months, Huges and Suffern when it mattered most to us.~ fight several more engagements including three major battles. The fighting stops only because word of peace finally arrives A U.S. Navy Toast For the Holiday Season from Europe. The campaign was one of the bloodiest in the '1 Jhile finding items for the museum's display at the Age of Sail. Historians do credit Suffern for fighting an VV Norfolk Airport, we found a 1912 Thanksgiving extended campaign without the help of proper shore facilities. dinner menu/program from the long since closed St. Helena Naval Training Station. This Norfolk installation was one May 28-June I 1794-Battle of Ushant, also called "The of the Navy's first " boot camps." In the program is ali Glorious First of June" (The War of the French Revolution) poem and toast. It goes something like this: Scene: In an attempt to head off a severe famine, the French revolutionary government places a large order of grain with OUR NATIONAL BIRDS • American merchants and farmers. A 120-ship convoy arrives in Hampton Roads to receive the grain. The British The American Eagle, catch word of the convoy and send a fleet to intercept it. The Thanksgiving Turkey, The French dispatch a fleet from France to meet the convoy May one give us peace. in all our States, half-way. The other, a piece for all our plates. Result: English victory. Both sides are badly bruised, with seven British ships heavily damaged and eight French ships On that note, The Sage wishes you Happy Holidays. ~

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