The British were indeed the dominant naval power in the 1800s, particularly during the Victorian era, but their fear of the Russian Navy during the American Civil War was based on a mix of strategic, diplomatic, and military considerations, rather than a direct threat from the Russian fleet itself.
Here are the key reasons why the British were concerned:
1. Diplomatic Tension with the United States
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the British government was deeply divided about how to respond to the conflict. There was sympathy in Britain for the Confederacy, particularly because of economic ties related to cotton exports, but the British government officially maintained a stance of neutrality.
However, this neutrality was under strain, particularly due to Confederate efforts to gain recognition from foreign powers, including Britain. There were also incidents during the war, such as the Trent Affair, where a Confederate diplomatic mission was intercepted by the U.S. Navy, leading to tensions between Britain and the U.S. There was a real risk that these tensions could escalate into war.
2. Russian Naval Diplomacy
In 1863, Russia made a strategic decision to send a naval squadron to the American coast to demonstrate support for the Union during the Civil War. The Russian Empire was keen to prevent the British or French from supporting the Confederacy, which could potentially shift the balance of the war in favor of the South.
Russia’s naval deployment was an effort to deter Britain from intervening on behalf of the Confederacy. It was a diplomatic message, as Russia itself was facing tensions with Britain (and other European powers) over various geopolitical issues, such as the Crimean War (1853-1856) and other territorial disputes. Russia’s presence in the Americas would serve as a counterbalance to British naval power.
3. The Size and Strength of the Russian Fleet
The Russian Navy during the 1860s, while not on par with Britain’s globally dominant navy, was still an impressive force in the Baltic and Pacific Oceans, and it had several modern warships.
The British, though superior, were wary of escalating tensions. They feared that any open conflict with Russia, especially in concert with the Union’s strategic interests, could spread across multiple theaters and possibly result in a war with a major power at a time when Britain was already engaged in various colonial concerns and had limited naval assets to dedicate to any one conflict.
4. Strategic Concerns About Naval Overextension
The British Navy, though vastly superior in numbers and firepower, had global commitments during the 1800s, including maintaining control of the seas across the vast British Empire. The Russian fleet in American waters posed a potential distraction to British forces, forcing them to keep more resources tied up in the North Atlantic in case tensions with Russia escalated into open warfare.
Additionally, the British were wary that a conflict with Russia could lead to alliances with other European powers or even a larger war involving France, as the two nations were often rivals and had naval interests in other parts of the world.
5. The Threat of War with the United States
Though the British were wary of the Russian Navy, the main concern during the American Civil War was the potential for a war with the United States, which had been growing increasingly powerful and had a growing industrial capacity.
Britain had to navigate the delicate issue of potential hostility with both the U.S. and Russia at the same time. A confrontation with Russia could also lead to the British being forced to commit forces to defend other parts of the world, especially in Asia and the Mediterranean.