Battle of the Chesapeake

History -- Military history -- List of battles -- History of France -- History of United States -- History of England

The Battle of the Chesapeake was a crucial naval battle in the American Revolutionary War which occurred near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay in 1781 between the Royal Navy and the French fleet led by Admiral de Grasse.

The victory by the French fleet prevented the Royal Navy from resupplying the forces of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. It also prevented interference with the supply of troops and supply from New York to the armies of George Washington through Chesapeake Bay. As a result General Cornwallis surrendered after the Battle of Yorktown and the United Kingdom later recognized the independence of the United States of America.