Crisis at the Chesapeake: The Royal Navy and the Struggle for America 1775-1783

By the end of 1780, the war for American independence appeared to be approaching a stalemate. After five years of war, Washington’s armies remained in the field. Once France, and then Spain, joined the war, Lord Sandwich as First Lord of the Admiralty was faced with a constant struggle to balance the forces needed at home and overseas, while facing constant hostile pressure from the opposition.

However, events were conspiring to bring about a showdown in North America, which would take place...