Battles of Tobago facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First battle of Tobago
Part of the Franco-Dutch War
A painting of the battle
Date 3 March 1677 Location Off Tobago, Caribbean Sea 11°15′0.0″N 60°40′1.2″W / 11.250000°N 60.667000°W / 11.250000; -60.667000 Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	France
Commanders and leaders
Jacob Binckes	Jean II d'Estrées
Strength
10 ships Some merchant ships	10 ships Some smaller vessels
Casualties and losses
7 ships	4 ships

Second battle of Tobago
Part of the Franco-Dutch War
Date 11 December 1677 Location Off Tobago, Caribbean Sea Result French victory
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	France
Commanders and leaders
Jacob Binckes	Jean II d'Estrées
Strength
10 ships 3 smaller vessels 650 guns 4,000 crewmen	6 ships 4 smaller vessels 520 guns 3,500 crewmen
Casualties and losses
1,800 killed or wounded 600 prisoners 10 ships of the line lost	1,200 killed or wounded 4 ships of the line lost

The Battles of Tobago were two important naval fights during the Franco-Dutch War in 1677. They took place near the island of Tobago in the Caribbean Sea. These battles involved the Dutch navy, led by Admiral Jacob Binckes, and the French navy, led by Admiral Jean II d'Estrées. The first battle was a Dutch victory, but the second led to a French triumph and a big change for Tobago.

First Battle: A Fiery Start

The First Battle of Tobago happened on March 3, 1677. The French fleet wanted to take control of Tobago from the Dutch. Both sides had about 10 ships each.

The battle was very intense and destructive. A Dutch supply ship caught fire and exploded. This explosion quickly spread to other ships in the narrow bay. Several warships, including the French flagship Glorieux (the main ship of the fleet), also caught fire and blew up. This caused many lives to be lost on both sides.

In the end, the Dutch managed to win this first battle. The French fleet had to retreat, but they were not giving up on Tobago.

Second Battle: French Victory

The French fleet returned later that year for a second attempt to capture Tobago. The Second Battle of Tobago took place on December 11, 1677. This time, the French were successful.

Admiral d'Estrées first sailed to the Cape Verde Islands and took the island of Gorée from the Dutch. Then, he quickly headed to the Caribbean. He stopped at Barbados to gather information about the Dutch forces.

On December 6, 1677, the French fleet reached Tobago. A French land force of 950 men, led by Blénac, began to surround the Dutch fort on the island. They had to drag their heavy cannons and mortars (big guns that fire shells) about four miles up a hill overlooking the fort. This difficult task took three days.

On December 11, the French began their attack. One of the first shells fired by the French hit the fort's powder magazine. This was where all the gunpowder was stored. The explosion was massive and completely destroyed the fort. About 250 men died in the blast, including the Dutch Admiral Jacob Binckes and 16 other officers.

The French immediately attacked the damaged fort. Within an hour, they took control of what was left of it. They also captured four sinking Dutch ships and took 600 prisoners.

After their victory, the French destroyed all the houses and farms on Tobago. They forced the people living there to leave the island and then abandoned it. This French victory greatly weakened the Dutch military power in the Caribbean.

Admiral d'Estrées then sailed to Martinique to plan another attack on Curaçao. He even gathered a large group of buccaneers (sailors who often acted as pirates) to help with his next mission.

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