Battle of the Chesapeake
معركة الرؤوس الثانية
Diagram of the Battle of the Chesapeake, Sep. 5, 1781
Highly inaccurate depiction of the Naval Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781
A plaque on the south island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel commemorating the Battle of the Chesapeake.
Combat naval devant la Chesapeake, 3 septembre 1781
Auguste at the Battle of the Chesapeake
NH 73927-KN (color). Battle of the Virginia Capes, 5 September 1781. Oil on canvas by v. Zveg, 1962, depicting the French fleet (at left), commanded by Vice Admiral the Comte de Grasse, engaging the British fleet (at right) under Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Graves off the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. In this tactically inconclusive but strategically decisive battle line action, the French successfully prevented the British fleet from entering Chesapeake Bay and relieving Major General Lord Cornwallis' army at Yorktown, Virginia. After a siege by American and French forces, Cornwallis was forced to surrender on 19 October 1781, an event that led the British to abandon their effort to prevent American independence. Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
A Representation of the Sea Fight on the 5th of Sept 1781 between Rear Admiral Graves and the Count De Grasse; engraving; the Political Magazine VI, London, 1784
Old map of the Chesapeake Bay
Historical Overview
The Battle of the Chesapeake, also known as the Battle of the Virginia Capes or simply the Battle of the Capes, was a fleet action which took place near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on 5 September 1781 during the American Revolutionary War. It was fought between a British fleet led by Rear-Admiral of the Red Sir Thomas Graves and a French fleet under Lieutenant général des armées navales François Joseph Paul de Grasse. The strategically decisive battle prevented the Royal Navy from reinforcing or evacuating the besieged British army of Lieutenant-general Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. With its victory, the French navy was able to gain control over local sea lanes and provided the Franco-American besiegers with siege artillery and troops reinforcements. These proved decisive in securing Cornwallis' surrender, which led to British acknowledgement of American independence.
Quick Facts
French Navy
- Commander: Comte de Grasse
- Strength: 24 Linienschiffe
- Casualties: ca. 200
Royal Navy
- Commander: Thomas Graves
- Strength: 19 Linienschiffe
- Casualties: ca. 300
Strategic Context
Blockade of the British army in Yorktown.
Conflict / War
Am. Revolutionary War
Historical Locations
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