Background North Channel Naval Duel

looking out on belfast lough carrickfergus castle- famous capture in 1760 french forces under francois thurot (who subsequently caught royal navy)

even before official entry of other nations, american revolutionary war no means confined american soil; naval operations, both continental navy , privateers, ranged across atlantic. in 1777, american captains such lambert wickes, gustavus conyngham, , william day had been making raids british waters , capturing merchant ships, took french ports, though france officially neutral. captain day had been accorded gun salute french admiral @ brest.

encouraged such successes, , more american victory @ battle of saratoga autumn, france signed 2 treaties america in february 1778, stopped short of declaring war on britain. risk of french attack forced royal navy concentrate forces in english channel (la manche), leaving other areas vulnerable.

wickes , day had shown that, despite narrowness of st. george s channel , north channel, possible single ships or small squadrons irish sea, , create havoc among many vessels traded between great britain , ireland. john paul jones, on first return british waters enemy, had more ambitious plan: teach british people government s policies in america, such burning of ports, turned against them.