Klow's Kollection

Britannia Rules the Waves

  HMS Cambridge setting sail

 

In 1754, Great Britain and France were again fighting each other in the French-Indian War. Few were surprised after the results of an earlier conflict, the War of Austrian Succession. The colonial ambitions of Britain and France were never truly resolved. Both superpowers scrambled to send reinforcements to their colonies in America, India, and the West Indies. In the first battles, Britain fumbled as the Royal Navy was unable to stop French ships that slipped past Britain's naval blockade. The battles in North America went little better as the French and Native American allies humbled their British adversaries.

In a few short years, what began as a contest between colonial powers expanded into the Seven Years War. Armies would fight not just on the European continent but within their colonies and at sea. Even before war was officially declared, ships from both sides postured to gain an advantage against one another. Navies of this period were used to ferry troops and supplies and prevented enemies from delivering them through blockades and skirmishes.

By 1759, the Royal Navy finally gained the upper hand when they achieved naval supremacy against France at the Battle of Quiberon Bay. This not only prevented the French from landing troops in Scotland, but the French Navy was no longer able to effectively supply their colonial troops. The British Army also celebrated their "Year of Miracles" with a decisive victory at Quebec. Britain would eventually defeat the French in America and India as well as in continental Europe with the aid of their Prussian allies. France's economic and military power was diminished, at least for the moment.

 Battle of Quiberon from National Maritime Museum

Their victories further established the reputation of the Royal Navy as the most powerful navy in the world. With their extensive trade routes throughout the world, Great Britain would also emerge as arguably the wealthiest nation of the time. This is what the Thriteen Colonies would have to face as well when making their bid for independence: fleets of oak and sail delivering British Redcoats to secure their colonies and maintain the King's rule.

 

Heart of Oak inspired by the victory at Quiberon Bay.

   

A History of the US Navy: Introduction

 U.S.S. Independence

The American Colonies had a dilemma when they attempted to gain independence from the British. In addition to having only a group of ill-trained militia to call an army, they had practically no navy that could deal with Great Britain’s Royal Navy. The Continental Navy would rise from a mix of converted merchantmen and determined sailors to morph into the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

After reading the Osprey Publishing book: The Wars of the Barbary Pirates, I wanted to learn more about the U.S. Navy's beginnings. What began as a blog or two about events during the War of the Barbary Pirates is turning into a major blog project that will consist of a series of posts on the U.S. Navy's history from its beginnings to 1815. In particular, I will highlight some events that seem to have been glossed over when I was taught history in school. We all know about John Paul Jones and Stephen Decatur, but what of Edward Premble and William Bainbridge? Why did Congress, who was fearful of standing armies, approve a standing navy? And what were America's relations with the major European powers at this time? These had just as much influence on the U.S. Navy's beginnings though they are not as well documented. This project will endeavor to shed light on these and other people and events.