American privateers and commerce raiders had captured approximately 1,200 British merchant ships, which increased insurance rates and embarrassed the Admiralty. Nevertheless, 50% of all American privateers were captured by the British although the privateers captured only 5% to 7% of British commerce. Meanwhile, for every 14 American merchant ships that traded before the start of the war, only 1 ship dared to leave port during the war, despite the Americans' effort to double their maritime trade. Furthermore, of the few ships that left port, a total of 1,400 were captured. In addition, Britain actually won many sea battles. The Royal Navy had been able to deploy overwhelming strength to American waters, which had the effects of annihilating, rather than merely denting, American maritime trade and of driving the American economy close to bankruptcy. The Royal Navy would emerge unchecked from the conflict.