Naval History of the Revolution.

The article presents an exploration into the naval history of the U.S. Revolutionary War. Details are given describing both the events and circumstances surrounding naval operations during the war as well as the historiography and documentary sources available to illustrate those events. Comments are given noting the prominent use of merchant vessels by several states. Extracts from the journal of Captain John Fisk in 1776 are provided. Conclusions are are offered suggesting that more active troops involved in naval conflicts than land battles, that the colonial navy may have been larger than the British contingent, and the actions of the privateers were central to the U.S. effort.