Leeward Islands Station | |
---|---|
Active | 1743–1821 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Type | Formation |
Part of | Royal Navy |
Garrison/HQ | Nelson's Dockyard |
The Leeward Islands Station [1] originally known as the Commander-in-Chief at Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands [2] was a formation or command of the Kingdom of Great Britain and then the United Kingdom's Royal Navy stationed at English Harbour, [3] Antigua, Leeward Islands. It existed from 1743 [4] to 1821.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Antigua served as the headquarters of first the Commander in Chief Barbadoes and Leeward Islands then later the Commander in Chief, Leeward Islands which was the British navy's important base in the Eastern Caribbean area during the Napoleonic Wars The three most strategically important bases were Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia. [3] The Station, was formed in October 1743 [5] as a separate command to the older Jamaica Station [5] [6] to protect Britain's sugar producing islands and its convoys. During the Seven Years' War, a number of large-scale naval actions were conducted by the Royal Navy from this Caribbean base, one of its major engagements was the Battle of the Saintes. The station was in existence from 1743 to 1821 when it was abolished. The last commander-in-chief was reappointed as the Commander-in-Chief for the North America station. [7]
Included: [7] [2]
= died in post
= died in post
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