Sea control varied by theatre. Britain lost dominance for periods off North America, in the Caribbean, and in the Mediterranean. It did not lose the Western Squadron's control of the Channel, although invasion scares remained. This distinction explains how a navy could suffer a major strategic reverse without becoming powerless everywhere and why opponents still had to exploit each local opening.
Notable Point · 45:40-46:37
Where Britain did and did not lose sea control
During the American Revolutionary War Britain lost command at intervals off North America, in the Caribbean, and in the Mediterranean, while the Western Squadron kept the Channel closed to invasion.