Decisive Waters: The Battle of the Chesapeake in the American Revolutionary War
The Battle of the Chesapeake happened on September 5, 1781, during the American Revolutionary War.
A significant naval fight between the British Royal Navy and the French Navy took place off the coast of Virginia.
The battle played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown.
The French fleet, led by Admiral de Grasse, decisively defeated the British fleet under Admiral Graves, preventing them from reinforcing or evacuating General Cornwallis’ troops.
This naval victory secured French maritime dominance in the region, making it easier for American and French land forces under General Washington and General Rochambeau to lay siege to Yorktown successfully.
This ultimately led to the surrender of Cornwallis and his army, effectively ending the war.
