September 13 Happy 240 birthday to USA Navy 2015 Joyful226

Today the USA Navy is 240 years old. The Navy has its earliest roots in the Continental navy formed in 1775 by General George Washington to defend the American colonies from British attack. In the absence of a national navy, the American colonies relied extensively on privateers (a private ship authorized by government to attack enemy ships) to harass British shipping. The British held superiority at sea prior to the formation of the Continental navy, threatening the disruption of colonial trade and the destruction of coastal settlements. On October 3, 1775, the Continental Congress received information about two unarmed English brigs, departing England bound for Quebec, which were carrying munitions for British troops. While waiting for Congress to authorize a navy, George Washington took matters into his own hands by commanding three schooners to cruise off the coast of Massachusetts and intercept enemy supply lines. Massachusetts sailors on army duty manned these improvised warships.In a letter read to Congress on October 13, 1775, General George Washington notified them of his actions and urged them to form a navy. Thus on that day October 13, 1775 Congress voted to properly equip sailing vessels in order to prevent enemy vessels from bringing supplies to the British Army in America. In addition, Congress established a naval committee responsible for purchasing, outfitting, manning and operating the first ships of the new navy. The committee also drafted subsequent naval legislation and prepared rules and regulations to govern the organization. The first American squadron was launched on February 18, 1776. The size of the Continental navy peaked in 1777 with a total of 31 ships. In 1779, an American naval squadron under the command of John Paul Jones took the fight to Great Britain. In a celebrated battle, Jones at the helm of the Bon Homme Richard engaged and defeated the British warship H.M.S. Serapis off the English coast. During the battle when asked by the British captain if he were prepared to surrender, Jones replied with the immortal words, "I have not yet begun to fight." In 1783, the signing of the Treaty of Paris provided the United States with independence from Britain, however, freedom at sea was yet to be accomplished. Congress disbanded the Continental navy at the end of the Revolutionary War and the United States functioned without a navy until 1794. All the original ships were destroyed after the War. Without armed ships or the protection of Great Britain, North African pirates frequently victimized American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea during this time. In order to safely explore new markets in which to conduct trade, Congress reestablished a national navy authorizing the construction of six new vessels on March 27, 1794. The congressional act stipulated that construction would cease if peace with Algiers was achieved. An agreement was reached early in 1796, prior to the ships' completion, yet Congress approved the finishing of three frigates. The USS United States, the USS Constellation and the USS Constitution were launched in 1797. The USS Constitution is the oldest naval ship still in commission today although at this time is being repaired yet is still in service by the United States Navy based out of Boston MA. Today the United States Navy is the strongest in the world with the addition of air power as well as sea power. Thank you to the Navy and a Very Happy Birthday to you on this your 240th year. #### *Most of the Information source for this article is from the "US Navy Maritime History of Massachusetts" if you would like to read more you can click on this link or copy and paste. http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/navy.htm Some is from my knowledge or from news media sources. But most is from the link above.

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