250 Years Ago … October 13, 1775, the Continental Navy was Formed
At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775, the British navy was the largest and most
experienced navy in the world, and it was essential to the survival of the British empire. The Royal Navy
numbered over 250 vessels of all sizes. By the end of the war that number would nearly double.
On October 13, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established what is now the United States Navy
with the following Resolution: “Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of
swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and
that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may
be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as
the Congress shall direct.”
On November 25, 1775, Congress authorized the capture and confiscation of all British armed vessels,
transports and supply ships, and directed the issuing of commissions to captains of cruisers and
privateers.
Over the course of the War of Independence, the Continental Navy sent to sea more than fifty armed
vessels of various types. The navy’s squadrons and cruisers seized enemy supplies and carried
correspondence and diplomats to Europe, returning with needed munitions.
They took nearly 200 British vessels as prizes, some off the British Isles themselves, contributing to the
demoralization of the enemy and forcing the British to divert warships to protect convoys and trade
routes. In addition, the navy provoked diplomatic crises that helped bring France into the war against
Great Britain.
Anchors Aweigh!
The following links lead to a 1-page (SAR-RT Summary) and general summaries about the Continental Navy:
Continental Navy – SAR-RT (1-page)
Continental Navy – Full Summary (PDF)
Each of Hawai‘i’s Mayors signed Proclamations commemorating the Navy’s 250th Anniversary:
C&C of Honolulu Proclamation
Kauai County Proclamation
Maui County Proclamation
Hawai‘i County Proclamation