CHAPTER XI.
MARITIME WAR IN EUROPE, 1779-1782.
Objectives of the allied operations in Europe 401 Spain declares war against England 401 Allied fleets enter the English Channel, 1779 402 Abortive issue of the cruise 403 Rodney sails with supplies for Gibraltar 403 Defeats the Spanish squadron of Langara and relieves the place 404 The allies capture a great British convoy 404 The armed neutrality of the Baltic powers, 1780 405 England declares war against Holland 406 Gibraltar is revictualled by Admiral Derby 407 The allied fleets again in the Channel, 1781 408 They retire without effecting any damage to England 408 Destruction of a French convoy for the West Indies 408 Fall of Port Mahon, 1782 409 The allied fleets assemble at Algesiras 409 Grand attack of the allies on Gibraltar, which fails, 1782 410 Lord Howe succeeds in revictualling Gibraltar 412 Action between his fleet and that of the allies 412 Conduct of the war of 1778 by the English government 412 Influence of Sea Power 416 Proper use of the naval forces 416.