Action of March 1677

The action of March 1677 in the West Indies, often called the Battle of Tobago, took place on 3 March 1677 between a Dutch fleet under Jacob Binckes and a French force attempting to recapture the island of Tobago. There was much death and destruction on both sides. One of the Dutch supply ships caught fire and exploded; the fire then quickly spread in the narrow bay causing several ships, among them the French flagship Glorieux, to catch fire and explode in turn which resulted in great loss of life. The French under Vice-Admiral Comte d'Estrées retreated but would make a second attempt at the end of the year with a much stronger fleet.

For the 1781 battle, see Invasion of Tobago.

Action of March 1677
Part of Franco-Dutch War
Date March 1677 Location off Tobago Result Dutch victory, French attack repelled
Belligerents
France	Dutch Republic
Commanders and leaders
Vice-Adm. Jean, Comte d'Estrées Louis Gabaret	Jacob Binckes Roemer Vlacq
Strength
10 ships Some smaller vessels	10 ships Some merchant ships
Casualties and losses
4 ships	7 ships

Order of battle

France (d'Estrées)

• Glorieux (flag, 60 guns) - (Jean, Comte d'Estrées) Burnt; 60 people dead
• Intrépide (56 guns) - (Louis Gabaret) Captured and burnt
• Précieux (54 guns) - Aground and captured
• Marquis (46 guns) - Blew up
• Galant (46 guns) - Damaged
• Fendant (54 guns) - (Charles de Courbon de Blénac) Damaged
• Jeux (40 guns)
• Emérillon (36 guns)
• Soleil d'Afrique (30 guns)
• Laurier (28 guns) - (Charles-François de Machault de Belmont)
• plus some smaller vessels

Netherlands

• Beschermer (flag) - (Jacob Binckes) 50 people dead
• Huis te Kruiningen - (Roemer Vlacq) Captured, blown up by its own crew; 56 people dead
• Zeelandia - 44 people dead
• Leyden - Damaged
• 6 anonymous other ships, and some merchant ships