Fleet battles would still occur, but the Royal Navy did not treat them as the whole of war at sea. Naval warfare often centred on economic warfare and control over movement. Forces, materiel, and goods had to travel backwards and forwards across the maritime network. Sustaining that movement could win a war, while an enemy that stopped it could bring defeat. Battle therefore served the wider task of keeping the network usable.
Chapter · 3:13-3:50
Economic warfare beyond the fleet battle
Control of oceanic routes mattered because the Royal Navy had to move forces, materiel, and goods throughout a war.