World War I naval battles were significant conflicts primarily fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. The most notable battle was the Battle of Jutland in 1916, where the British Royal Navy faced the German Imperial Navy. This battle was the largest naval engagement of the war, involving over 250 ships and thousands of sailors. Naval warfare during this period included the use of battleships, cruisers, and submarines. U-boats, or German submarines, played a crucial role in disrupting Allied shipping, leading to the introduction of convoy systems. These battles shaped naval strategies and influenced the outcome of the war.