bob v.... yes you have it wrong....
you need the hit the books a bit before you dismiss the british navy of the 19th century. 20 years of Napolean? enforcing anti slave trade? Hmmm..there's much more. BTW the american navy had very few battles with the british. It was the French Navy that most often contested the British during the revolutionary war... at the chesapeake and later at the battle of he "saintes" in the carribean. The French allied with the americans to fight their natural enemy, the british, not because they liked them, but because they saw an opportunity to make substantial gains in the Carribean and Canada. In that regard, it was Great Britain that stood alone against Napolean's France for 20 years, winning great sea battles in egypt, holland and off the coast of spain. The americans didn't do squat, they didn't need to 'cause the english kept Napolean on his side of the Atlantic. The american marines' landing in tripoli was historic in that it was our first foray overseas..... but miniscule to the many, many accomplishments of the british navy during that time. In the 20th century the english fought germany for 2 years, at great loss of life and assets before the americans joined in, oh and didn't they sink the bismark?. 25 years later the island of great britain stood alone against nazi germany, and fought the japanese in southeast asia until the americans finally came to help out. The british may not have massive numbers of colonies as they did 200 years ago, but their influence in they way we do busines, conduct government, enforce laws, protect civil rights, train armies, wage war and make music is unsurpassed. Most all of their former colonies have remained staunch allies even after attaining independence.
you need the hit the books a bit before you dismiss the british navy of the 19th century. 20 years of Napolean? enforcing anti slave trade? Hmmm..there's much more. BTW the american navy had very few battles with the british. It was the French Navy that most often contested the British during the revolutionary war... at the chesapeake and later at the battle of he "saintes" in the carribean. The French allied with the americans to fight their natural enemy, the british, not because they liked them, but because they saw an opportunity to make substantial gains in the Carribean and Canada. In that regard, it was Great Britain that stood alone against Napolean's France for 20 years, winning great sea battles in egypt, holland and off the coast of spain. The americans didn't do squat, they didn't need to 'cause the english kept Napolean on his side of the Atlantic. The american marines' landing in tripoli was historic in that it was our first foray overseas..... but miniscule to the many, many accomplishments of the british navy during that time. In the 20th century the english fought germany for 2 years, at great loss of life and assets before the americans joined in, oh and didn't they sink the bismark?. 25 years later the island of great britain stood alone against nazi germany, and fought the japanese in southeast asia until the americans finally came to help out. The british may not have massive numbers of colonies as they did 200 years ago, but their influence in they way we do busines, conduct government, enforce laws, protect civil rights, train armies, wage war and make music is unsurpassed. Most all of their former colonies have remained staunch allies even after attaining independence.
