Naval Conflict

A bibliography on books on the Naval aspects of the War of Independence.

Primary Sources

Clark, William Bell, ed. Naval Documents of the American Revolution. 13 vols. Washington, D.C: United State Government Printing Office, 1964.

Twelve volumes in this series have been completed today covering the period December 1, 1774 through August 15, 1778. An digital version can be accesses on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

Secondary Sources

Allen, Gardner W. A Naval History of the American Revolution. Vol. 1. 2 vols. Williamstown, MA: Corner House Publishers, 1970.

———. A Naval History of the American Revolution. Vol. 2. 2 vols. Williamstown, MA: Corner House Publishers, 1970.

Dillon, John. All at Sea: Naval Support for the British Army during the American Revolutionary War, 2019.

Dull, Jonathan R. The French Navy and American Independence:  A Study of Arms and Diplomacy, 1774-1787. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1975.

Fowler, William. M. Rebels Under Sail:  The American Navy during the Revolution. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1976.

McGrath, Tim. Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America’s Revolution at Sea. New York, New York: NAL Caliber, 2014.

Miller, Nathan. Sea of Glory: A Naval History of the American Revolution. Naval Institute Press ed. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 1992.

Nelson, James L. George Washington’s Great Gamble: And the Sea Battle That Won the American Revolution. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

 ———. George Washington’s Secret Navy: How the American Revolution Went to Sea. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

 Robotti, Frances Diane, and James Vescovi. The USS Essex and the Birth of the American Navy. Avon, Mass.: Adams Media, 2000.

Syrett, David. The Royal Navy in European Waters during the American Revolutionary War. Studies in Maritime History. Columbia, S.C: University of South Carolina Press, 1998.

Tuchman, Barbara Wertheim. The First Salute. 1st ed. New York: Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 1988.

Waldo, S. Putnam. Biographical Sketches of Distinguished American Naval Heroes in the War of the Revolution, between the American Republic and the Kingdom of Great Britain; Comprising Sketches of Com. Nicholas Biddle, Com. John Paul Jones, Com. Edward Preble, and Com. Alexander Murray. With Incidental Allusions to Other Distinguished Characters. Kennikat American Bicentennial Series. Port Washington, N.Y: Kennikat Press, 1970.

John Paul Jones