The Capture of Sint Eustatius took place in February 1781 during the American War of Independence when British army and naval forces under General John Vaughan and Admiral George Rodney seized the Dutch-owned Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius.
In 1781, the American revolution induced the Dutch Republic to join with the Bourbon side against the British, a large fleet under Admiral Lord Rodney's command was sent to the West Indies, and after having made some seizures in the Caribbean Islands, a squadron was detached to take possession of the colonies of Essequebo and Demerara, which was accomplished without much difficulty.
An hotel and administration offices, situated at the north side of the Square, is in Dolphin House, previously known as Rodney.
Local pubs include "The Admiral Rodney" named after the 1st Baron Rodney (1719–1792), "The Mill Wheel" (with an 18th-century mill wheel measuring 20 feet in diameter), "The Bulls Head" and "The Greyhound".
De Graaff held his position until admiral Rodney captured and subsequently raided the island in February 1781.
The first Baron Rodney was George Brydges Rodney (1718/19–92), a British naval admiral of Napoleonic times.
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These were the 110-gun Ville de Paris, the 74-gun ships Glorieux and Hector and the 64-gun Ardent, all captured at the Battle of the Saintes by Sir George Brydges Rodney's fleet, and the 74-gun Caton, captured at the Battle of the Mona Passage by Sir Samuel Hood.
The Dutch colonies in the West Indies were immediately attacked and Great Britain soon captured St. Eustatius that was subsequently devastated by admiral Rodney.