This paucity of results in no way lessens the merit of the movement from the West Indies to the continent.  It was indubitably correct in idea, and, as has been pointed out, the conception was Rodney’s own, the possibilities were great, the risk in many ways undeniable; when these can be affirmed of a military action, failure to obtain results, because conditions take an improbable direction, does not detract from credit.  Nor should the obviousness of this measure hide the fact that the suggestion appears to have been original with him, occurring fully developed in his memorandum of May, 1778, to the Admiralty; whether written in Paris or England does not appear.  The transfer of Hotham’s squadron to the southward in the following December, 1779, enabling Barrington to conquer Santa Lucia,—­a place insisted upon in the same memorandum as of the first importance,—­may not improbably be attributed to this fruitful paper.  In the next year, 1781, a detachment was again sent to New York, and had Rodney been able to accompany it in person there is no room to doubt that he would have saved Cornwallis; reversing issues, at least momentarily, certainly prolonging the war, possibly deciding the contest otherwise than as befell.

Rodney’s return to the West Indies in December, 1780, concluded the most eventful and illustriously characteristic year of his life.  The destruction of Langara’s fleet in January, the brilliant tactical displays of April 17th, and of the chase manoeuvres in May, the strategic transference in August of a large division, unawares to the enemy, from one point of the field of action to another, are all feats that testify to his great ability as a general officer.  Nor should there be left out of the account the stern dignity of conduct which assured his personal control of the fleet, his certainty of touch in the face of an enemy.  Thus considered, it was a year full of events, successful throughout as regards personal desert, and singularly significant of ability and temperament.

The year 1781 was far less happy, nor does the great victory, which in 1782 crowned his career with glory, contribute to the enhancement of his professional distinction; rather the contrary.  Upon reaching Barbados, December 5th, he found the island shorn to the ground by the noted hurricane, which in the previous October had swept the Caribbean, from the Lesser Antilles to Jamaica.  Eight of the division left by him in the West Indies had been wrecked,—­two being ships-of-the-line; and the efficiency of the whole fleet was grievously impaired by the widespread injury to vessels.