The naval victory removed Spain's effective fleet from the Sicilian campaign and left Britain without a serious Mediterranean challenger. Cape Passaro established British regional sea control and a strategic position Britain became unwilling to surrender. Alfred Thayer Mahan gave the battle less attention than its effect beyond the captured ships might suggest. Control of the Mediterranean would still be contested in later wars, but Britain continued to treat it as a standing strategic objective.
Chapter · 27:42-28:30
Cape Passaro and British Mediterranean sea control
Destroying Spain's effective fleet around Sicily gave Britain command of the sea in the Mediterranean and established a strategic position it would fight to retain.