Reviving the Naval History of the Revolution

In the tumultuous years leading up to the Revolution, merchants and sailors were among the first to argue for American rights. As the Revolution unfolded, naval leaders sought to protect American ships from attack by foreign powers and to open new opportunities for American trade abroad.

However, the Navy lacked the warships to patrol North American waters or to cruise against enemy corsairs. Therefore, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert decided to focus on the Caribbean, where most of the French cruisers were based.

The Revolution grew out of a desire to challenge Britain’s unchallenged claim to sea power. As a result, the American colonies began constructing small navies and authorized privateers.

In the era of international law, governments regularly issued documents known as “letters of marque and reprisal.” These allowed private seamen to seize enemy ships. These men-of-war were often referred to as pirates, but they had their own distinct legal status under highly regulated conditions.

Privateers harassed British shipping in the Americas and around the globe, especially along the Eastern Seaboard. These activities were encouraged by states with significant sea-trade communities, such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress began building up a small navy of ships through purchase, conversion and new construction. The ships were intended to guard American commerce and attack the transports that carried British forces in North America.

The first vessels to join the Continental Navy were 24-gun frigates Alfred and Columbus, 14-gun brigs Andrew Doria and Cabot, and three schooners, Hornet, Wasp and Fly. The ships were commissioned by Commodore Esek Hopkins and outfitted in Philadelphia.

Privateering played a large role in 18th century naval warfare and nearly all countries utilized it; a country can issue a letter of marque to a civilian ship owner, which then enables him or her to capture enemy shipping and sell the prizes and cargoes for profit.

During the American Revolution, thousands of letters of marque were issued to privateers. By the end of the war, they had captured 3,027 British vessels – somewhere between 12 and 15 per cent of that country’s merchant fleet.

The British Navy has been at the forefront of maritime history, protecting Britain's home and international waters. It's a vital part of Britain's economy, supporting 950,000 jobs across the UK.

As an island nation, Britain is reliant on a strong marine industry to keep global trade moving. The Royal Navy is at the heart of the industry and keeps us safe from pirates, terrorists and criminals.

But the Navy wasn't without its challenges. Navies are incredibly expensive to run, and their men were difficult to find and maintain.

To address these issues, parliament passed the Quota Acts in 1795, requiring every county to supply men for the Navy. However, very few came forward. Press gangs raided harbour taverns, merchant ships at sea and even parishes in order to get the required numbers of sailors.

In 1775, several American colonies began maintaining small state navies. However, these were largely ineffective against the Royal Navy since they were limited to sloops and frigates.

In an attempt to counter the threat from the British, George Washington ordered three schooners to cruise off of the coast of Massachusetts and intercept enemy supply lines. This was an early demonstration of the capability of the new American navy to extend its reach to the global battlefield.

The United States is one of only a few countries with a navy capable of operating across the open ocean. Its maritime superpower status is based on its ability to patrol, maneuver and attack in the seas, providing access to vital points of interest around the world without imposing on another country’s sovereignty. It has also deployed ballistic missile submarines to assist in nuclear strategic deterrence. Lastly, it conducts numerous operations at various ports worldwide to protect maritime trade and defend against other nations.