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.

Leeward Islands Station
English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, Antigua
Active1743–1821
CountryUnited Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFormation
Part ofRoyal Navy
Garrison/HQNelson's Dockyard

History

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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]

Commander-in-Chief, Barbadoes and Leeward Islands

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Included:[7][2]
 N = died in post

Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands

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 N = died in post

Citations

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  1. ^ Ward (2011a), pp. 1–2.
  2. ^ a b Harrison, Simon. "Commander-in-Chief at Barbados & the Leeward Islands". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b Ward (2011b), p. 1.
  4. ^ Sanderson (1968), p. 5, 18.
  5. ^ a b Sanderson (1968), p. 5.
  6. ^ Sanderson (1968), p. 18.
  7. ^ a b Haydn (1851), p. 279.
  8. ^ Laurens (1970), p. 210.
  9. ^ Schomberg (1802), p. 232.
  10. ^ Winfield (2008), p. 144.
  11. ^ Schomberg (1802), p. 235.
  12. ^ Heslip (2010).
  13. ^ Billias (1972), p. 8.
  14. ^ Schomberg (1802), p. 238.
  15. ^ Little (1974).

References

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