9781422280195

T he history of the U.S. Navy is long and distinguished. Officially formed on April 30, 1798, the Navy eventually evolved to become the largest maritime military force of any nation in history. Today, it is the greatest and best-equipped navy on Earth. Like the Army, the U.S. Navy was created to fight for independence. During the Revolution- ary War (1775–1780), the newly created Continental Army and state militias fought the British on the mainland, but military shipping was needed to fight against the Royal Navy. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress decided to establish a small federal naval force that would harry British shipping on the open seas. The Continental Navy, as it was known, was no match for the size and strength of the Royal Navy. It did, however, have some success. In 1778, the legendary Captain John Paul Jones and his ship Ranger captured the Royal Navy warship Drake and even attacked the coast of England. Unfortunately, the Continental Navy also suffered many defeats, and it had little impact on British shipping. In 1784, four years after the end of the war, the navy was disbanded. The U.S. Navy Is Born After the Revolutionary War, U.S. shipping faced a new threat. The economy of the young United States was highly dependent upon overseas trade. Its ships commonly sailed to the Mediterranean Sea for trade with southern Europe. However, they fell prey to pirates from

Words to Understand Amphibious: Something that can be used on both land and water. Frigate: Military ship that is small and fast. Harry: Attack or raid.

D efending the S eas : T he N avy

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