British control of Chesapeake Bay was secured, blocking French naval support for American forces opposing Benedict Arnold in Virginia.
Key Facts
- Date
- 16 March 1781
- Location
- Mouth of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Capes
- British commander
- Vice-Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot
- French commander
- Admiral Charles Destouches
- Ships lost
- None on either side
- French departure port
- Newport, Rhode Island (sailed 8 March 1781)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
General George Washington requested French Admiral Destouches to sail from Newport, Rhode Island to the Chesapeake Bay to support the Marquis de Lafayette's operations against the British forces under Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, who was conducting raids in Virginia.
On 16 March 1781, British and French squadrons met near the Virginia Capes after Arbuthnot's fleet, sailing from eastern Long Island two days after Destouches, arrived just ahead of the French. The two fleets maneuvered for hours before engaging; both sides sustained damage and casualties but neither lost any ships.
Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, Arbuthnot secured a position controlling the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay as the fleets disengaged. Destouches was unable to achieve his objective and returned to Newport, while Arbuthnot protected the bay for reinforcements arriving to strengthen Arnold's army in Virginia.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Vice-Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot.
Side B
1 belligerent
Admiral Charles René Dominique Sochet, Chevalier Destouches.