US Navy turns 237 years old

Photo By Senior Airman Ryan Throneberry | Less than one hour away and 237 years ago, the Continental Navy was established in the City of Brotherly Love.  

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, UNITED STATES

10.12.2012

Story by 2nd Lt. Alexis McGee 

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Less than one hour away and 237 years ago, the Continental Navy was established in the City of Brotherly Love.

A Philadelphia meeting, Oct. 13, 1775, developed two armed sailing vessels with crews of 80 people each. The goal of these seaworthy crew members was to intercept transports carrying munitions and supplies to the British army in America.

The Navy's life seemed as if it would end in its infancy after Congress sold off the last Continental Navy ship two years after the American Revolution. Opinions on maintaining a navy changed when U.S. merchant ships and crews began getting captured in the Mediterranean Sea. Few ships and seamen were captured, but the acts impacted Americans. In part because of the captures, the U.S. Constitution, which was adopted in 1789, gave Congress the authority "to provide and maintain" a navy.

It wasn't until 1794 when Congress elected to use its constitutional authority to create a navy to combat the Algerians who were preying on U.S. commerce in the Mediterranean. Though the Navy was dissolved for several years before it redeveloped, Oct. 13, 1775, is still recognized as the birthday of the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Navy has expanded in strides since its initial creation nearly two and a half centuries ago. The seafaring force no longer relies only on sea power to expand its global reach, and has instead branched into both land and air capabilities.

"2012 is truly a special year for the U.S. Navy," said Navy Capt. Bill Bulis, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst deputy commander. "In addition to the Navy's 237th Birthday, we are also celebrating a rich heritage that includes the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and recognition of the backbone of our Navy, our chief petty officers, during the 'Year of the Chief.' I wish our sailors standing the watch around the globe a happy birthday, smooth sailing and mission success."

Visit www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq31-1.htm for more information about the Navy's history.

• Date Taken: 10.12.2012
• Date Posted: 10.12.2012 15:24
• Story ID: 96087
• Location: JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US