The Year 1780 Uneventful in European seas 157

Capture of a great British Convoy 157

The Armed Neutrality of the Baltic Powers 158

The Accession of Holland to this followed by a Declaration of War
by Great Britain 158

The French Government withdraws all its Ships of War from before
Gibraltar 158


CHAPTER IX

NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN WEST INDIES IN 1781. CAPTURE OF ST. EUSTATIUS BY
RODNEY. DE GRASSE ARRIVES IN PLACE OF DE GUICHEN. TOBAGO SURRENDERS TO
DE GRASSE

Effects of the Great Hurricanes of 1780 in West Indies 159

Rodney's Diminished Force. Arrival of Sir Samuel Hood with
reinforcements 160

Rodney receives Orders to seize Dutch Possessions in Caribbean
160

Capture of St. Eustatius, St. Martin, and Saba 161

The large Booty and Defenceless state of St. Eustatius 161