On this day 16 March

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On the 16th of March 1781, British and French ships fought the Battle of Cape Henry off the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. The British squadron primarily consisted of eight ships under the command of Vice Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot: London (90), Royal Oak (74), Bedford (74), Robust (64), Europe (64), Prudent (64), America (64), and the Adamant (50). The French fleet primarily consisted of eight ships under the command of Admiral Charles René Dominique Sochet, Chevalier Destouches: Duc de Bourgogne (80-84), Conquérant (74), Neptune (74), Provence (64), Ardent (64), Jason (64), Eveille (64), and the Romulus (44).

At 6:00 a.m., both forces came into sight of each other. Over the next several hours, they battled the wind in an attempt to secure the advantage, and in the early afternoon the engagement began. The British line was approaching the French from the rear when Destouches ordered his ships to turn in front of the Arbuthnot’s squadron. Though relinquishing the initiative to the British, the French ships were now able to utilize their lower gun-decks. Arbuthnot answered by ordering his line to turn as well. As the lead British ships responded, Destouches opened fire, practically crippling the Robust, Europe, and Prudent. He maneuvered into a raking position, fired, and disengaged. In the end, the French suffered 72 killed to 30 British, and 112 wounded to the British’s 73. Strategically, the French withdrawal enabled the British to reinforce their land forces in Virginia.

Mariot Arbuthnot:


Battle Map:



For more information on today's event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Henry
http://books.google.com/books?id=hpI...page&q&f=false