The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence

In 1775 'the shot heard round the world' was fired at Lexington Green and the War of American Independence began. While George Washington and the Continental Army have attained near-legendary status, the naval aspect of the war has often been overlooked, despite its significance in influencing the eventual outcome. Control of the seas was vital for all sides: the Americans needed to continue to trade with other nations, the British had to keep their troops supplied 3,000 miles from home and the French, Spanish and Dutch were committed to supporting their American allies despite being a similar distance away. Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence examines how naval battles were fought around the world between Britain and her opponents, from the struggle for control of Lake Champlain in 1775 to the relief of Gibraltar in 1782. It illustrates how the nature of the war at sea evolved throughout the course of the conflict, beginning with the Royal Navy supporting the British troops ashore and escalating into a full-scale naval war on several fronts. A.T. Mahan's detailed and authoritative narrative shows just how important the naval campaign was in determining the outcome of the war. Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence is a masterly account of this fascinating yet often neglected aspect of the conflict. Book jacket.