Naval Warfare

Control of sea routes links naval battles to trade, invasion and national survival in James R. Thursfield's introductory manual. Written for readers approaching naval questions without specialist training, it explains command of the sea, blockade, the threat posed by an undefeated fleet, and the distribution and supply of naval forces. The opening introduction also connects public understanding of these matters with decisions about naval spending.

The discussion of invasion focuses on the difficulty of protecting troop transports while confronting an opposing fleet. Thursfield explains why an escort must be especially strong and why settling the naval contest first can improve an army's prospects of crossing safely. Historical examples put these strategic problems in context. Readers interested in naval history can follow the reasoning behind decisions about ships, supplies and control of communications, presented from a British perspective.