1782-April-12: The French navy suffered a major defeat at the Battle of the Saints, which occurred as de Grasse’s fleet attempted to sail from Saint-Domingue…

1782-April-12: The French navy suffered a major defeat at the Battle of the Saints, which occurred as de Grasse’s fleet attempted to sail from Saint-Domingue to capture Jamaica. This engagement, involving over sixty ships of the line, was one of the largest naval battles of the eighteenth century. The British victory under Admiral Rodney ended French naval dominance in the Caribbean and protected British islands from invasion. Following this defeat, the security of the Windward Passage became a primary concern for French administrators in Saint-Domingue. The loss forced France to adopt a defensive posture and shift its focus toward protecting its merchant convoys from the “richest colony” in the world.