British naval forces in North America and the West Indies were weaker Cause_change_of_strength than the combined Cause_to_amalgamate fleets of France and Spain , and , after some critical decisions Deciding and tactical missteps by British naval commanders , the French fleet of Paul de Grasse gained Getting control Control over Chesapeake Bay , blockading Cornwallis from naval support and delivering Sending additional land forces to blockade him on land .

The combatants Hostile_encounter were a British fleet led by Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Graves and a French fleet led by Rear Admiral Francois Joseph Paul , the Comte de Grasse .

Admiral de Grasse had the option to attack Attack British forces Causation in either New York or Virginia ; he opted Choosing for Virginia , arriving at Arriving the Chesapeake at the end of August .

Admiral Graves learned Education_teaching that de Grasse had sailed Self_motion from the West Indies for North America and that French Admiral de Barras had also sailed Self_motion from Newport , Rhode Island .

He sailed Self_motion south from Sandy Hook , New Jersey , outside New York Harbor , with 19 ships of the line and arrived at Arriving the mouth of the Chesapeake early on 5 September to see Perception_active de Grasse 's fleet already at anchor Temporary_stay in the bay .

De Grasse hastily prepared GetReady most of his fleet for battle—24 ships of the line—and sailed Self_motion out to meet Come_together him .

The two fleets sailed Self_motion within view Perception_active of each other for several days , but de Grasse preferred Choosing to lure Influence the British away from the bay where de Barras was expected to arrive Arriving carrying Carry_goods vital siege Besieging equipment .