Franco-Dutch Invasion of Jersey
Encyclopedia
The Franco-Dutch invasion of Jersey
was an attempt to take over the island from the Kingdom of Great Britain
during the American Revolutionary War
. However, the French failed to land.
, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, and Admiral Arbuthnot, it appeared that that five large vessels, and a great number of boats, appeared on the coasts of that island in order by a coup de main
to effect a landing; but that, by the spirited march of the 78th regiment, and the militia of the island, with some few of the artillery which they were able to drag through the heavy sands, the enemy were beat off, and obliged to pive up their hostile intentions without any other loss on the British side than a few men wounded by the bursting of a cannon. Upon this intelligence, however, orders were instantly dispatched to the commanding officers of his Majesty's ships at Portsmouth and Plymouth to send a number of frigates and sloops for the protection of the islands of Jersey and Guernsey; and in the mean time Admiral Arbuthnot had quitted his convoy, and advanced to their relief; but on finding a force sufficient there, under the command of Captain Ford of the HMS Unicorn
, for their security, he was proceeding, at the time his letter was dated, to rejoin the trade, in order to pursue his voyage. A private letter took notice that the first and only vessel that attempted to land, either was struck with a shot, or dashed upon a rock, and 15 or 18 were drowned; 20 got ashore and surrendered, and the rest got off safe.
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
was an attempt to take over the island from the Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. However, the French failed to land.
Battle
By letters to the admiralty in the same Gazette, from Moses CorbetMoses Corbet
Major Moses Corbet was a British Army officer who served as Lieutenant Governor of Jersey from 4 April 1771 to 6 January 1781.-Early career:...
, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, and Admiral Arbuthnot, it appeared that that five large vessels, and a great number of boats, appeared on the coasts of that island in order by a coup de main
Coup de main
A coup de main is a swift attack that relies on speed and surprise to accomplish its objectives in a single blow. The United States Department of Defense defines it as:The literal translation from French means a stroke or blow of the hand...
to effect a landing; but that, by the spirited march of the 78th regiment, and the militia of the island, with some few of the artillery which they were able to drag through the heavy sands, the enemy were beat off, and obliged to pive up their hostile intentions without any other loss on the British side than a few men wounded by the bursting of a cannon. Upon this intelligence, however, orders were instantly dispatched to the commanding officers of his Majesty's ships at Portsmouth and Plymouth to send a number of frigates and sloops for the protection of the islands of Jersey and Guernsey; and in the mean time Admiral Arbuthnot had quitted his convoy, and advanced to their relief; but on finding a force sufficient there, under the command of Captain Ford of the HMS Unicorn
HMS Unicorn
Eleven ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Unicorn, after the mythological creature, the unicorn: was a 36-gun ship captured from Scotland in 1544 and sold in 1555 was a 56-gun ship launched in 1634 and sold in 1687 or Little Unicorn was an 18-gun fire ship originally in Dutch service...
, for their security, he was proceeding, at the time his letter was dated, to rejoin the trade, in order to pursue his voyage. A private letter took notice that the first and only vessel that attempted to land, either was struck with a shot, or dashed upon a rock, and 15 or 18 were drowned; 20 got ashore and surrendered, and the rest got off safe.