This book is a study of how the Royal Navy faced the problems caused by the American revolt against British authority during the years of the American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. The author examines one crucial question: why was the British navy unable to crush the rebellion in America by cutting off the flow of arms and military supplies from Europe to the American rebels? By taking this question as central to the conduct of the war the author examines such issues as American concepts of political rights and how these concepts could not be combatted by warships, the aid from neutrals to the rebels and the problems Britain faced trying to crush the rebellion when confronted by her enemies in Europe and elsewhere. By taking on these issues, the author shows the limits of Britain's naval power and the doubts that were cast on her policies.