On 14 May at Martinique French Admiral de La Barre, Martinique's governor Vice Admiral de Clodoré and Guadeloupe's governor Rear Admiral Du Lion, plus the fireships were met by Crijnssen’s Dutch squadron who had reconquered Berbice and St Eustatius from the English.
St. Eustatius (captured on 3 February 1781), that had played such a large role in the supply of the American rebels with arms, was completely devastated by him.