Surrender of the 'Ville de Paris' at the Battle of The Saints, 12 April 1782,...

Creator: Thomas Whitcombe The Saints are a group of small islets in the West Indies between Guadeloupe and Dominica. They gave their name to the final sea battle of the War of American Independence, 1775-1783, which was fought under their lee between the British West Indies fleet commanded by Admiral Sir George Rodney, with 36 ships of the line, and his French counterpart, Vice-Admiral the Comte de Grasse with 30 ships of the line. The painting shows the 'Barfleur' in action in the centre, pouring a broadside from her starboard guns into the stricken French flagship, 'Ville de Paris'. The latter is to the right, striking her colours, with both ships in starboard-quarter view. 'Barfleur' flies the red distinguishing flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood at the mizzen, a red ensign at the stern, and a red signal flag at the fore.