Shipping restrictions could obstruct access to the supplies needed to fight a naval war. The Eastland Company held a monopoly over trade with the Baltic and Scandinavia, but operated on tight margins and had limited political influence. During the Third Anglo-Dutch War, Parliament allowed foreign carriers to bring in naval stores despite that monopoly. Maintaining the navy's supply took precedence over protecting the company's exclusive trade.
Chapter · 1:45:02-1:47:00
The 1673 Act makes room for naval supplies
The 1673 Act relaxed the Eastland Company's monopoly when England needed naval stores from the Baltic and Scandinavia.