capture saint vincent capture french invasion took place june anglo french war french force commanded landed west_indies isle quickly took british controlled island assisted local held northern island british governor military commander lieutenant colonel disagreed react ended surrendering significant resistance leaders subjected inquiries surrender period french control begun capture resulted solidified control northern parts island area remained hands second war background following entry france american war independence american ally early french admiral arrived west_indies early december command fleet consisting ships line number smaller vessels time british fleet admiral arrived fleet admiral british captured french held despite attempt relief british monitor major french base martinique headquartered british fleet reinforced january ships line admiral assumed command british islands station half fleets received reinforcements french fleet slightly superior british furthermore departed june order provide escort services british merchant ships gathering convoy europe leaving free act governor seized opportunity begin series operations nearby british possessions target isle south political situation somewhat tense island divided roughly half land controlled white principally british controlled local population line dividing territories ran island north west south east agreed treaty signed war happy compromise agreement terms continuing source friction british uniquely caribbean possessions establish chain outposts protect population colonial government defences disarray governor assumed office isle granted separate government reported virtually defences addition difficult relations british population sympathetic cause colonial independence french capture raised constitutional questions surrounding martial law colonial assembly consequently refused appropriate funds improving island defences governor morris spent funds instead improvements contributing financial difficulties run later british military presence island garrison men command lieutenant colonel poorly trained recruits half unfit duty training drilling troops fully island outposts employing significant numbers clear land estate north west island estate territory island grant service seven years war circumstances viewed illegal major source annoyance governor established regular contact supplying arms late august french officials met leader early september governor morris confronted bearing new french muskets tour border areas capture organized force troops including french regulars drawn regiments champagne martinique volunteer militia martinique invasion force placed command recently distinguished taking british controlled march force embarked fleet consisting frigate lively sailed martinique june reached waters 16th driven ashore island losing men ships anchored young bay near anchored ships flew national colours leading local speculation intent local thought merchant vessels expected pick sugar harvest prevented island coastal fortifications firing signal cannon man sent ships taken prisoner french began landing troops small company captain landed eastern shore irregular forces grew number quickly overran british settlements near borders british lands led main body troops alarm eventually raised governor morris thought possible stand french hills hopes royal_navy bring relief lieutenant colonel opposed especially size approaching force apparent truce flag sent french demanded surrender morris rejected negotiations ships spotted flying british flags returned ship quickly determined strangers supply ships captured got away negotiations terms agreed similar granted capture aftermath success sailed entire fleet barbados end june unable significant progress prevailing winds gave attempt sailing instead captured july admiral alerted capture july preparing force retake learnt attack immediately sailed arriving morning june fleets battled prevailing disorganized attack remained french hands end war returned britain terms treaty paris admiral attempt recover december arriving caribbean worst hurricane seasons record acted rumours defences devastated october hurricane wrought havoc west_indies sailed ships line soldiers general suffered significant damage buildings destroyed defences good condition defended french soldiers troops landed found going difficult conditions embarked day lieutenant colonel subjected conduct invasion governor morris long time resident island demanded inquiry behaviour alleging press writings returned island dying england spending seven years king debts incurred spending defences actively harassed british settlers french occupation times requiring intervention french military minimize return british control uneasy peace existed british rose second war radical french efforts export french revolution deported british island coast present day honduras descendants known people gained independence britain
Capture of Saint Vincent