Yorktown Campaign > Battle of Cape Henry

Battle of Cape Henry

Background

The Battle of Cape Henry was a naval engagement that took place on March 16, 1781, off the coast of Virginia near the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. This battle was part of the American Revolutionary War and involved the naval forces of France and Great Britain. The outcome of the battle influenced the subsequent naval and military operations in the region, contributing to the events leading up to the decisive Siege of Yorktown later that year.

Background:

1. Strategic Importance:

   • The Chesapeake Bay was a crucial strategic location for both the British and American forces. Control of the bay would allow for the movement of troops and supplies, and the ability to launch or thwart amphibious operations.
   • Both the French and the British recognized the importance of naval dominance in this area to support their respective military operations on land.

2. French Naval Presence:

   • The French had committed to supporting the American cause by deploying their fleet to North America. Rear Admiral Charles René Dominique Sochet, Chevalier Destouches, was in command of the French fleet stationed in Newport, Rhode Island.

3. British Naval Presence:

   • The British fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot, was based in New York. The British sought to maintain control over the Chesapeake Bay and support General Cornwallis's operations in the southern colonies.

The Battle:

1. Forces Involved:

   • French Fleet: Admiral Destouches commanded a squadron of eight ships of the line.
   • British Fleet: Admiral Arbuthnot commanded a slightly larger force of eight ships of the line and one 50-gun ship.

2. Initial Movements:

   • In early March 1781, Destouches set sail from Newport with the intent of entering the Chesapeake Bay to support American forces and disrupt British operations.
   • Arbuthnot, aware of the French movement, departed from New York to intercept Destouches and prevent the French fleet from gaining control of the bay.

3. Engagement:

   • On March 16, 1781, the two fleets encountered each other near Cape Henry, the southern point of the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay.
   • The battle began in the afternoon, with both fleets maneuvering to gain the advantage. The engagement involved a series of broadsides as the ships exchanged heavy cannon fire.

4. Tactical Maneuvers:

   • The battle was characterized by both fleets attempting to outmaneuver each other, seeking favorable positions to unleash their broadsides.
   • Despite the intensity of the engagement, neither side achieved a decisive tactical advantage. The French managed to avoid being encircled or decisively defeated.

5. Outcome:

   • The battle ended inconclusively as both fleets disengaged. The French fleet, although not decisively beaten, was unable to maintain its position and withdrew from the area.
   • The British fleet succeeded in preventing the French from entering the Chesapeake Bay, maintaining control over the strategic waters.

Aftermath and Impact:

1. Strategic Consequences:

   • While the Battle of Cape Henry did not result in a decisive victory for either side, the British fleet's success in preventing the French from entering the Chesapeake Bay had significant implications.
   • The inability of the French fleet to establish a presence in the bay meant that British control over the region was temporarily maintained, allowing Cornwallis to continue his operations in Virginia.

2. French and American Strategy:

   • The French fleet's failure to secure the Chesapeake Bay in March 1781 highlighted the importance of naval power in the conflict and underscored the need for a coordinated Franco-American strategy.
   • The French would later play a crucial role in the naval blockade that led to the Siege of Yorktown, with the arrival of Admiral de Grasse's fleet in the Chesapeake Bay in late August 1781.

3. Prelude to Yorktown:

   • The Battle of Cape Henry set the stage for the subsequent naval operations that would culminate in the Battle of the Chesapeake in September 1781, where the French fleet decisively defeated the British, ensuring the success of the Yorktown campaign.

Significance:

• The Battle of Cape Henry demonstrated the strategic importance of naval power in the American Revolutionary War and the contested control over critical waterways like the Chesapeake Bay.
• It highlighted the challenges faced by both French and British fleets in projecting power and supporting their respective ground forces.
• The engagement was a prelude to the more decisive naval battles and operations that would shape the outcome of the war, ultimately contributing to the American victory at Yorktown.

The Battle of Cape Henry remains an important example of the naval conflicts that influenced the course of the American Revolutionary War, underscoring the interconnectedness of naval and land campaigns in achieving strategic objectives.

Yorktown Campaign Battles

• Battle of Blandford
• Battle of Cape Henry
• Battle of Green Spring
• Battle of Spencer's Ordinary
• Battle of the Chesapeake
• Francisco's Fight
• Raid on Richmond
• Siege of Yorktown
• Skirmish at Waters Creek

Sources

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources