Get your story straight. The British fleet sent to rescue Cornwallis was fought at the mouth of the Chesapeake by the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse. Defeated, they were unable to rescue Cornwallis at Yorktown and the rest is history. Lafayette refused to accept Cornwallis’s sword and deferred to Washington. The British were sent packing and France was the first country to recognize the United States as a free and sovereign nation. WITHOUT FRANCE we would be a BRITISH SUBJECT! GOD FORBID!
Er sorry but the British naval commander that day was not the progenitor of Lord Nelson. Nevertheless it is true that if he had not turned tail with his intact fleet and instead had forced a relief of Cornwallis, the war might have ended differently. So yes. That was and remains the last significant “victory” of the French Navy. Its a waste of time for the US Navy to be training with the French on outmoded surface capital ships of any sort that will not survive modern technological warfare against a sophisticated opponent. The “battleship admirals” would be better off exercising with the Swedes who have developed innovative, quiet submarines. The French are worthless and useless.
The Kingdom of Morocco recognized the United States four months before France formally did so.
Interesting and canny bit of politics there for Lafayette. Deferred to Washington for the sword. Did not know that. Very smart of Lafayette, and the Brits likely got it right away.