The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence By Alfred Thayer Mahan CHAPTER I THE NAVAL CAMPAIGN ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN1775-1776 Preponderant effect of Control of the Water upon the Struggle for American Independence Deducible then from Reason and from Experience Consequent Necessity to the Americans of a Counterpoise to British Navy This obtained through Burgoyne's Surrender The Surrender of Burgoyne traceable directly to the Naval Campaigns on Lake Champlain, 1775, 1776 The subsequent Course of the War in all Quarters of the world due to that decisive Campaign The Strategic Problem of Lake Champlain familiar to Americans from the Wars between France and Great Britain prior to 1775 Consequent prompt Initiative by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold Energetic Pursuit of first Successes by Arnold Complete Control of Lake Champlain thus secured Invasion of Canada by Montgomery, 1775 Arnold marches through Maine Wilderness and joins Montgomery before Quebec Assault on Quebec. Failure, and Death of Montgomery Arnold maintains Blockade of Quebec, 1776 Relief of the Place by British Navy Arnold Retreats to Crown Point Arnold's Schemes and Diligence to create a Lake Navy, 1776 Difficulties to be overcome Superior Advantages of the British The British by building acquire Superiority, but too late for effect in 1776 Ultimate Consequences from this Retardation Constitution of the Naval Force raised by Arnold He moves with it to the foot of Lake Champlain Takes position for Defence at Valcour Island Particular Difficulties encountered by British Constitution of the British Lake Navy Land Forces of the Opponents Naval Forces of the Two at the Battle of Valcour Island Magnitude of the Stake at Issue Arnold's Purposes and Plans Advance of the British Arnold's Disposition of his Flotilla to receive Attack The Battle of Valcour Island The Americans Worsted Arnold Retreats by night Undetected Pursuit by the British Destruction of the American Vessels British Appreciation of the Importance of the Action, as shown Criticism of the conduct of the Opposing Leaders Arnold's Merit and Gallantry End of the Naval Story of the Lakes Effect of the Campaign upon the Decisive Events of 1777 CHAPTER II NAVAL ACTION AT BOSTON, CHARLESTON, NEW YORK, AND NARRAGANSETT BAY-ASSOCIATED LAND OPERATIONS, TO THE BATTLE OF TRENTON1776 Necessity that Force, if resorted to, be from the first Adequate Application to National Policy in peace To the Monroe Doctrine Failure of the British Government of 1775 in this respect Consequences of such failure General Howe evacuates Boston and retires to Halifax. Extent of his Command Dissemination of Effort by British Government Expedition against South Carolina Local Conditions about Charleston Description of Fort Moultrie Plan of British Naval Attack We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.