Fleet In Being
In naval warfare, a "fleet in being" is a naval force that extends a controlling influence without ever leaving port. Were the fleet to leave port and face the enemy, it might lose in battle and no longer influence the enemy's actions, but while it remains safely in port, the enemy is forced to continually deploy forces to guard against it. A fleet in being can be part of a sea denial doctrine, but not one of sea control.
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Famous quotes containing the words fleet in and/or fleet:
“Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away.”
—Thomas Moore (1779–1852)
“They ... fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)