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resourcefulness of the small American navy and
other Yankee mariners enabled General
Washington to makeup for this lack. The Royal
Navy’s low state of efficiency at that time
contributed to the Americans’
ability to
compensate.
France, sympathetic with the rebellious
colonies, entered the war on our side in 1778.
Spain and Holland soon followed. The powerful
French forces attacked British possessions in every
part of the world. As a result, Britain’s internal
struggle against its colonies transformed into a
world war that involved all the great maritime
powers. The West Indies became the chief theater
of naval activity, where British interests clashed
with those of its enemies—France, Spain, and
Holland.
The Continental navy that fought America’s
war for independence was small and weak
compared with the hundreds of ships of the Royal
Navy. Since fighting had already begun before the
small navy was officially authorized, it was
handicapped from the beginning. Converted
merchantmen made up two-thirds of the ships of
this makeshift force. The crews were drawn from
merchant vessels, fishing craft, and even from the
army. The country also had state navies, but they
were made up of small vessels designed for river
and harbor defense. Swarms of American
privateers (privately owned craft outfitted for war)
also engaged in the fight against the British.
The multiple forces involved made coordinating
fleet and squadron maneuvers difficult. The
men leading these forces helped to overcome
great obstacles. Some of these men and their
accomplishments are described in the following
paragraphs.
DAVID BUSHNELL
For almost 4 years, a young American named
David Bushnell worked on the design of a
Figure 2-1.-The first submarine.
2-2
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