Naval power and the Province of Senegambia, 1758–1779

British efforts to establish and maintain the Province of Senegambia (1765–1779) as West Africa's first formal colony were undermined by a flawed coastal patrol scheme, compounded by dysfunctional local governance and insufficient resources. Despite its profitability in gum arabic and slave trading, the province faced persistent Franco-British rivalry, particularly due to France's stronghold on the nearby island of Gorée. Naval power was central to British operations, yet systemic failures—including neglect from London—hindered its effectiveness.

Newton, J. D. (2013). Naval power and the Province of Senegambia, 1758–1779. Journal for Maritime Research, 15(2), 129–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/21533369.2013.851840