Kingstown Saint Vincent Island Saint Vincent and Grenadines
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Columbus lands on nearby Saint Vincent, originally inhabited by the Arawaks, who had in in turn been driven out by the Caribs, who call it Hairouna.
The British fleet at Saint Lucia had been further reinforced in January 1779 by ten ships of the line under Admiral John Byron, who assumes command of the British Leeward Islands station.
Throughout the first half of 1779 both fleets receive further reinforcements, after which the French fleet is superior to that of the British.
Furthermore, Byron departs St. Lucia on June 6 in order to provide escort services to British merchant ships gathering at St. Kitts for a convoy to Europe, leaving d'Estaing free to act.
D'Estaing and Bouillé seize the opportunity to begin a series of operations against nearby British possessions.
Their first target is the isle of Saint Vincent, south of St. Lucia.
It falls on 18 June, and d'Estaing turns his attention to other islands.
He had hoped to capture Barbados, a key British possession, but after making no progress against the prevailing easterly trade winds, he turns his attention instead to Grenada.
Throughout the first half of 1779 both fleets receive further reinforcements, after which the French fleet is superior to that of the British.
Furthermore, Byron departs St. Lucia on June 6 in order to provide escort services to British merchant ships gathering at St. Kitts for a convoy to Europe, leaving d'Estaing free to act.
D'Estaing and Bouillé seize the opportunity to begin a series of operations against nearby British possessions.
Their first target is the isle of Saint Vincent, south of St. Lucia.
It falls on 18 June, and d'Estaing turns his attention to other islands.
He had hoped to capture Barbados, a key British possession, but after making no progress against the prevailing easterly trade winds, he turns his attention instead to Grenada.