Final answer:
Option (A), Thomas Paine argued in Common Sense that America could develop its own navy using its abundant resources, a credible notion that aligns with the sentiments of later American industrialists and naval theorists.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine, in Common Sense, presents arguments for American independence which resonated widely across the thirteen colonies. He contended that the colonies no longer needed British rule and instead could thrive independently, citing the ample raw materials and the capability of building a formidable navy. Paine's argument is credible considering the industrial potential of the American colonies and their growing resentment towards the constraints imposed by British colonial policy.
American industrialists of the late 19th century, echoing Paine's earlier sentiments, also recognized the importance of naval power for securing foreign markets. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge's advocacy for a modern navy underlined the economic necessities of the time, combining industrial interests with national security and expansionist ideals.
The practicality of constructing a powerful navy was further supported by naval theorist Alfred Mahan. His viewpoint that naval strength was key to commercial power influenced figures like Theodore Roosevelt, driving the expansion and modernization of the U.S. Navy.