Battle of Martinique
17 April 1780, Channel between Martinique and Dominica
Indecisive
Rodney's first fleet action in the West Indies. He meant to bring his whole fleet down on the French rear and crush it before Guichen could turn to help, but his captains read his signal to mean each ship should attack the ship opposite her, as the Fighting Instructions said, and the British line spread out along the whole French line instead. Rodney's Sandwich fought her way through to the French centre almost alone. Neither side lost a ship. Rodney was furious and blamed his captains publicly; the lesson was not forgotten when he broke the French line at the Saintes two years later.
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26 ships, none lost
French Navy
22 ships, none lost