A French fleet commanded by de la Barre was virtually destroyed by a Royal Navy squadron under Sir John Harman.

Since they also provided access to the highly profitable trade with Spanish America, this theatre of the Second Anglo-Dutch War had important strategic and commercial value.

When France entered the war as a Dutch ally in April 1666, ships led by local governor de la Barre captured the English possessions of St Kitts, Antigua and Montserrat.

This consisted of seven warships, two ketches, and two fireships, under Sir John Harman, an experienced sailor who fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War, as well as Lowestoft in 1665, and the Four Days' Battle in 1666.

Reinforced by the 50 gun Jersey and frigate Norwich, Harman left Nevis on 25 June, planning to retake St Kitts.

He arrived on 29 June to find nineteen French West India Company vessels and several local traders sheltering in the main bay.

A fireship was released, setting fire to de la Barre's flagship Lys Couronée, which then spread to the Saint Jean and Lion d’Or.

[8] While too late to have any significant impact on the result of the war, these successes forced Crinjeens to abandon his attack on Virginia, and return to the Caribbean.