Capture of Gorée

The Capture of Gorée occurred in December 1758 when a British naval expedition led by Augustus Keppel against the French island of Gorée off the coast of Senegal during the Seven Years' War.[1]

Capture of Gorée
Part of Seven Years' War
The reduction of Gorée, Dominic Serres
Date December 1758 Location Gorée, French Empire 14.6669°N 17.3983°W / 14.6669; -17.3983 Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Augustus Keppel	Blaise de Saint-Jean
Strength
11 warships	300
Casualties and losses
None	300 captured

Gorée and its fortifications

Keppel bombarded the fortress and then landed his marines to take possession. The French commander, Blaise Estoupan de Saint-Jean surrendered the fortress and the island. The 300-man garrison became prisoners of war, and 110 guns and mortars were captured.[2]

The island was occupied by the British until 1763 when it was returned following the Treaty of Paris.

References

1. McLynn p.99-100
2. "1758 - British expedition against Gorée in Senegal". Kronoskaf. Retrieved 18 May 2014.

Bibliography

• Anderson, Fred (2000). Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the fate of Empire in British North America, 1754–1766. Faber and Faber.
• Brown, Peter Douglas (1978). William Pitt, Earl of Chatham: The Great Commoner. George Allen & Unwin.
• Dull, Jonathan R. (2005). The French Navy and the Seven Years' War. University of Nebraska.
• McLynn, Frank (2005). 1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World. Pimlico.
• Simms, Brendan (2008). Three Victories and a Defeat: The Rise and Fall of the First British Empire. Penguin Books.