None the less did a few months bring the British a quick revenge on the sea.

On April 12, 1782, Rodney met Grasse in a terrible naval battle in the West Indies.

Some five thousand in both fleets perished.

When night came Grasse was Rodney's prisoner and Britain had recovered her supremacy on the sea.

On returning to France Grasse was tried by court-martial and, though acquitted, he remained in disgrace until he died in 1788, "weary," as he said, "of the burden of life." The defeated Cornwallis was not blamed in England.