Dutch invasion of Saint Helena

Dutch invasion of Saint Helena
Part of the Third Anglo-Dutch War
Location of Saint Helena
Date January 1673 Location Saint Helena, South Atlantic 15°55′28″S 5°43′5″W / 15.92444°S 5.71806°W / -15.92444; -5.71806 Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	Kingdom of England East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Jacob de Gens	Anthony Beale

The Dutch invasion of Saint Helena took place in January 1673, capturing the South Atlantic island from the English East India Company (EIC). The Dutch had previously settled the island but abandoned it for their colony at modern-day Cape Town. The Cape proved an inferior anchorage so the Dutch took advantage of the Third Anglo-Dutch War to seize Saint Helena, with little resistance from the EIC garrison.

The EIC governor, Anthony Beale, escaped to Brazil with a number of soldiers and slaves. He sent word of the loss of the island by sloop, which met with a Royal Navy squadron commanded by Richard Munden. Munden decided to retake the island and in May landed a force under Lieutenant Richard Keigwin. A bombardment by Munden's squadron persuaded the Dutch to surrender. Keigwin was left on the island as governor with an increased garrison. The invasion was the last occasion that the island was taken by a foreign power.