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The Battle of the Chesapeake, also known as the Battle of the Virginia Capes or simply the Battle of the Capes, was a crucial naval battle in the American Revolutionary War which took place near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay in September 1781, between a British fleet led by Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves and a French fleet led by Rear-Admiral François Joseph Paul, marquis de Grasse Tilly, the Comte de Grasse. The battle was tactically inconclusive but strategically a major defeat for the British.

The victory by the French fleet prevented the Royal Navy from resupplying the forces of General Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. It also prevented interference with the supply of troops and provisions from New York to the armies of George Washington through Chesapeake Bay. As a result, Cornwallis surrendered his army after the Siege of Yorktown (the second British army to surrender during the war), and Great Britain later recognized the independence of the United States of America.

Ships on the French Polynesia stamp are:
1 Diademe
2 Burgogne
3 Marseillais
4 Le Pluton
5 Alcide
6 Intrepid
7 Shrewsbury
Log Book March 1990.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Chesapeake

Mali SG503 French Polynesia SG213 Mauretania Sg708

A 19th century painting belonging to the US Navy and exhibited at the Sea Museum of Hampton Roads in Norfolk, VA.
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“Battle of the Chesapeake", by Patrick O'Brien. French and English ships of the line cannonade each other during the Battle of Chesapeake, 1781.
The Battle of Yorktown was undoubtedly the most important battle of the American Revolution. However, ironically, its outcome was the direct result of a naval battle between French and British warships about 40 nautical miles from Yorktown at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The very existence of the United States of America and the fate of the American Revolution greatly influenced the success of General George Washington and the Continental Army, supported by the French, at Yorktown.
Gabon 2020;900f.
Source: http://thehouseandhomemagazine.com/cult ... hesapeake/