Rose Gottemoeller’s account of John Manley explores how a fast-moving American “mosquito navy” achieved important victories at sea before contributing to success on land. The story presents small naval forces as a powerful challenge to larger fleets.
The historical account is framed alongside Ukraine’s recent campaign against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Ukrainian operations have put the Russian navy under sustained pressure, with the loss of the cruiser Moskva serving as an early and highly visible turning point after the invasion began.
By connecting Manley’s privateering exploits with events in the Black Sea, the piece highlights how agility, initiative and smaller vessels can alter the balance in a maritime conflict. Its central theme is the strategic impact of a determined force operating against a more powerful navy.
