SKU: ANTILLESQUADRON

In 1676, Admrial Jean D’estrees commanded the French West Indies Squadron in order to continue the war against the Dutch.  After seeing extensive combat,  he was sent on a mission in 1678 to conquer a series of islands that the Dutch were occupying.  In response the Dutch sent a small fleet to defend the islands and assembled them in the heart of Las Aves’ lagoon.  As night fell the Dutch fleet lit many lantern’s in hope of  simulating the lights of a town and wrecking the fleet on the coral reefs.  D’estrees fell for the trick and sent his fleet straight for the lights and wrecked the entire fleet of 17 ships on the Isle of Aves, 150 miles west of Dominica.