ABSTRACT

M. d'Estr6es, having settled every thing at Cayenne, sailed for Martinico, and from thence proceeded to attack the Heer Binkes, at Tobago. Upon their approach, Binkes landed some of his sailors, and the soldiers under the command of Captains Vander Graaf, Van Dongen, and Ciavone, to man the batteries and fortress of Sterrshans. Two days after, the French anchored in Palmit Bay, and landed their troops. February the 23d, D'Estrees sent a flag of truce to demand the surrender of the fort, which was refused. After this, nothing was done till the 3d of March, when the French fleet stood in to engage the Dutch fleet: at the same time, the troops attempted to storm the castle. After repeated attacks, they were forced to retire, with the loss of 150 killed and 200 wounded, who were with difficulty carried off. The battle lasted with the ships from day-break till evening. D'Estrees' ship, the Glorieux, of seventy guns, was blown up, and two others were stranded under sail-leaving the Dutch victorious, though with the loss of several ships, which were burnt.