: It`s an interesting thought, that Denethor may have neglected the fleet from doubts as to its loyalty, but I thought Throrongil had served not only in the fleet, but everywhere in Ecthelion`s service, and he might have had adherents everywhere, had he chosen to form a party that would support him.
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I do remember a reference when the troops are marching into Minas Tirith from the South that a small band was "all that could be spared from the ships." That does imply that a navy did exist (if only to counter slave raids), but was evidently quite incapable of resisting a full scale invasion of the type that was carried out at the time of the War of the Ring. Still it is curious that Denethor should have made no reference to it during his various councils.

Sean