The Battle of Ponta Delgada mattered because maritime control could decide the wider Portuguese succession war. Portugal's Atlantic geography made reinforcement and sustainment vulnerable to the fleet that controlled the sea approaches. The later Peninsular War provides the comparison: Royal Navy access allowed Wellington and allied armies to receive supplies despite French operations ashore. At Ponta Delgada, victory would determine which claimant could maintain a campaign and set its pace.
Notable Point · 35:48-38:32
Atlantic logistics decide the Portuguese succession war
Command of Portugal's Atlantic approaches let fleets control reinforcement and dictate the tempo of the succession struggle.