Britain's dependence on maritime trade made attacks on merchant shipping a strategic danger with deep historical roots. The role continued the commerce-raiding tradition of sailing frigates associated with figures such as Hawkins, Drake, and Raleigh. Cruisers therefore served both as commerce defenders and commerce destroyers: they protected friendly shipping while denying the sea to an enemy's trade. The French concept of guerre de course gives a weaker naval power an indirect offensive against a stronger opponent's economy. For a maritime power, cruiser operations could protect its own routes while simultaneously excluding enemy shipping from the same waters. Offense and defense become parts of the broader struggle over who may use the sea.
Chapter · 7:26-9:53
Cruisers defend trade and attack enemy commerce
Cruiser warfare joins commerce protection and commerce raiding, making the same ship useful to both stronger and weaker naval powers.