On the afternoon of the 13th the shipping anchored in the Grand Cul de Sac, an inlet on the west side of Santa Lucia, which is seventy miles east-north-east from Barbados.

Part of the troops landed at once, and seized the batteries and heights on the north side of the bay.

The remainder were put on shore the next morning.

The French forces were inadequate to defend their works; but it is to be observed that they were driven with unremitting energy, and that to this promptness the British owed their ability to hold the position.
[Illustration] Three miles north of the Cul de Sac is a bay then called the Carenage; now Port Castries.

At its northern extremity is a precipitous promontory, La Vigie, then fortified, upon the tenure of which depended not only control of that anchorage, but also access to the rear of the works which commanded the Cul de Sac.