Why would two ships, or fleets, fight where there was no reason to fight?

We no longer have armies or fleets to fight wars.

Both fleets fought on 20 September opening fierce artillery fire.

The fleet never fought in a naval battle in its short history.

Somewhere above our heads the fleet we built with such pride and care is fighting to the end.

It's like something out of a dream for Ivanova, and she knows this fleet will fight to the last.

We don't have the fleets or the moon stations to fight from.

If there are ships from both sides in the same sea area, the two fleets must fight at least one round of combat.

Ships were attached to whatever little fleet was still fighting.

Only in 1781 would the Dutch and British fleets fight each other again.