Age-of-sail endurance depended on food, water, health, winds, and currents rather than fuel alone. Sailing seasons could make the same ocean passage practical at one time and punishing at another, while a change in wind direction could open a blockaded port. The moment connects environmental limits directly to operational strategy.
Chapter · 4:54-6:18
How winds and sailing seasons shaped strategy
Trade winds, currents, and seasonal weather could determine voyage timing and even whether a blockade remained possible.