British Royal Navy

<p><span class="deck">No American ships were involved, yet on its outcome hung Great Britain’s recognition of our independence</span></p>

<p><span class="deck"> <span class="typestyle"> It hardly seemed possible that a British garrison of seven hundred men could withstand a siege by the greatest American armada of the Revolution. But luck was not with the Americans that summer</span> </span></p>

<p><span class="deck">75 years ago, a powered kite landed on a cruiser. From that stunt grew the weaponry that has defined modern naval supremacy.</span></p>

<p>The outcome of the American Revolution may have been affected by catastrophic storms in the deadliest hurricane season in recorded history.</p>

<p>Research by <em>American Heritage</em> reveals that the Royal Navy had 24 warships sunk or heavily damaged in October 1780, which must have affected Britain's ability to fight in the months before the surrender at Yorktown.</p>