The Sovereignty of the Sea

Fishing rights, trading routes and the lowering of a ship's flag all enter Thomas Wemyss Fulton's account of Britain's claims over the surrounding seas. Published in 1911, this historical study follows the relationship between maritime power and the rules governing coastal waters. Fulton explains how an inquiry initially focused on fisheries grew into a broader examination of commerce, state jurisdiction and diplomatic ceremony.

The book separates claims to dominion over extensive seas from the later development of territorial waters. English dealings with the Dutch receive particular attention, including disagreements over fishing and the respect owed to naval flags. In one detailed discussion, the wording of a treaty reveals how a seemingly small ceremonial concession could carry competing political meanings. References to state papers and an appendix of documents support a work suited to readers interested in how coastal resources and national authority became matters of international negotiation.