The War at Sea

The American Ship John Jay, the Napoleonic Wars, and Risk in the Atlantic World Catherine DeCesare Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Academic

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 2, 2025

Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages

ISBN: ‎ 9781666967944

Catherine DeCesare traces a micro-history of the John Jay using legal records to illustrate political and legal challenges faced by US maritime business in the Atlantic during the Napoleonic Wars.

This book provides a close look at the John Jay's fifth voyage when it was chased and captured by the British Royal Navy. DeCesare analyzes the legal battle that ensued and how the actions of the British Navy underscored US weaknesses. The history of the John Jay reflects both the personal and national uncertainties and struggles of the US foreign policy, domestic policy, and business in the Atlantic, a realm controlled by British law and naval operations at the time.