Some Principles of Maritime Strategy

Some Principles of Maritime Strategy by Julian Corbett

Naval warfare is distinct from land battles. On land, you can aim to take and control certain swaths of land. In the seas, there is little "controlling" open seas. Instead, the goal is to use a navy to defend key areas and support land warfare. Spreading the navy too wide can be a recipe for disaster. Chasing after the enemy may occasionally succeed, but this may be more due to accident. 

Having a greater dependence on maritime trade does not make one more vulnerable to naval attack. By the contrary, that can make an attack on ship as less critical. Offense also poses advantages over defence.

This book was written over 100 years ago. Naval warfare was changing. Wireless contact made attacks by privateers and pirates less beneficial. The use of convoys was also fading. Japan had already introduced itself to the world stage. World War I had yet to start. It was an interesting time shortly before the dawn of the air age. Despite the technological innovations, maritime transport is still important today and there are many 100-year old concepts that still apply.