NAVY. The first definite provision for a naval establishment was the act of Congress of Octo ber 13, 1775., which authorized the building of one vessel of 10 guns and another of 14 gulls to be equipped as national cruisers. At the same time a law was passed establishing a marine committee consisting of John Adams (later re placed by Christopher Gadsden), John Lang don, and Silas Deane. This Congressional com mittee was later enlarged to thirteen and given charge of all matters pertaining to the navy.
On October 30th two more vessels were author ized. one of 20 and the other of 36 guns; while on December 13th the construction of thirteen ships was provided for. On November 10th an act for the 'public defense' authorized the of two battalions of marines and established rules for the "government of the .American Navy." The marines authorized were in reality sailors, for the act provided "that particular care be taken that no persons he appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen. or so acquainted with mari time affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required." It is probable, there fore, that Congress designed by the act to pro vide crews for such vessels as they were able to equip and to enlist and keep the men together until their services could be made available.
As the authorized to be built could not be completed for some time, a number of merchantmen were purchased and armed. These improvised men-of-war, hastily and poorly equipped and armed, and in many cases very badly officered and manned, constituted the first American naval force. of which, by act of Con gress of December 22, 1775, Esek Hopkins was Made commander-in-chief.
The vessels of the improvised navy were di rected to cruise along the coast and intercept transports laden with munitions of war for the British army and navy. On February 17, 1776, a squadron under Commander-in-Chief Hopkins consisting of the Alfred, Columbus, Cabot. Andrea. Doria, Providence, Wasp, Fly, and Hor net put to sea bound for the West Indies. The My and Hornet parted company with the fleet on the night of the I Sth, but the remainder kept together, and in March captured the British naval station on the island of New Providence, Bahamas, obtaining a quantity of military and naval stores, including nearly 100 cannon, which were much needed for arming the new ships. The
squadron left on March 17th, having on board the royal Governor and some other prisoners. When off Long Island, Hopkins captured a British bomb-brig of S guns and a tender of 6 guns and had a running fight with H. B. M. S. Glasgow of 20 tons, which made a very good defense and eventually, by good management, escaped. in Oc tober, 1776, Congress passed a vote of censure upon Commodore Hopkins for not performing the duties upon which he was sent. He was dropped from the service on January 2, 1777, and no other officer has since been given the title of commander-in-chief of the Navy.
On March 23, 1776, letters of marque and reprisal were granted against Great Britain, and numerous privateers were fitted out. On .Tune 25th a marine corps (q.v.) was established consisting of one major, nine captains, ten first lieutenants, and seven second lieutenants.
After the Declaration of Independence Con gress began the building up of the navy with increased vigor, and on October 3d it ordered another frigate and two cutters, and on No vember 9th an act was passed authorizing the construction of three 74-gun ships. five more frigates, a sloop-of-war, and a packet and these were to be supplemented by another frigate and another sloop-of-war ordered in January, 1777. But the plans of Congress were quite beyond the capacity of the Colonies either to build, equip, or man. One 74 was laid down at Ports mouth, N. II., and completed in 1731—too late to be of service. Her armament was reduced to 56 guns, and during the next year she was pre sented to the King of France to replace the 74 gun ship Moon/flour, which was lost in Boston Harbor. Many of the vessels built never got to sea. and the real work performed by the navy during the Revolution was done by a dozen ves sels, most of which were small.