Britain secured Saint Lucia from France in December 1778, gaining a strategic Caribbean naval base during the American Revolutionary War.
Key Facts
- Campaign duration
- 18–28 December 1778
- Prior French action
- French captured British Dominica in September 1778
- Key naval engagement
- Battle of St. Lucia — British fleet defeated French fleet
- Key land engagement
- Battle of Morne de la Vigie — British repelled French assault
- Outcome for French forces
- Garrison surrendered; evacuated to Martinique
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In September 1778, French forces launched a surprise invasion and captured the British-held island of Dominica. Britain responded by organizing a combined land and naval expedition to seize the French colony of Saint Lucia, aiming to restore strategic balance in the Caribbean during the broader conflict of the American Revolutionary War.
From 18 to 28 December 1778, British land and naval forces conducted a ten-day campaign to capture Saint Lucia. The British fleet defeated a French relieving squadron in the Battle of St. Lucia, and entrenched British troops soundly repulsed a French land assault at the Battle of Morne de la Vigie, forcing the French garrison to surrender.
Following the surrender, the remaining French troops were evacuated to the nearby French colony of Martinique. Saint Lucia remained under British control, giving Britain a valuable deep-water harbor from which to monitor and challenge the main French Caribbean base at Martinique throughout the remainder of the war.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent