Cape Henry: an indecisive battle with a decisive position

Mariot Arbuthnot's eight ships of the line met a French force of seven ships and a frigate sent toward Chesapeake Bay. The fighting produced no captured ships, but the British finished in position to enter the bay while the French returned to Newport, allowing reinforcements to reach Benedict Arnold. Washington's intercepted criticism of the French commander then caused friction with French leaders, so the tactically ambiguous action also had operational and coalition consequences. At the later Battle of Chesapeake, a larger French fleet achieved the blockade effect needed at Yorktown.