Navy
The Chesapeake-Leopard Incident
In June 1807, the Royal Navy was blockading two, 80-gun French ships of the line which had called in Hampton, VA and were waiting for an opportunity to escape into the Atlantic. The British squadron commander, Sir George Berkeley, learned that Royal Navy deserters were on board U.S.S. Chesapeake, 38 guns and he dispatched H.MS. Leopard, 50 guns, with a search warrant and orders to seize any deserters, by force if necessary.
Read MoreWhen Greed Interferes With One’s Duty
War at sea during the American Revolution, as it is today, is a dangerous business. One tactic governments increased the crew member pay was by allowing prize money to be distributed amongst the crew.
Read MoreMarines First Raid
John Paul Jones, the first lieutenant (or executive officer) on Hopkins’ flagship Alfred strongly pushed blockading the harbor, but Hopkins refused. Instead, the landing was made the next morning about a mile from the harbor under the command of Captain Nicholas.
Read MoreThe Shores of Tripoli
With camels as pack animals, the column followed the coast reaching the port of Bomba on April 17th, 1805. Along the way, Eaton and O’Bannon put down a mutiny, deal with truculent soldiers as well as dwindling supplies. For the last few days, each man was subsisting on a bowl of rice and two biscuits.
Read MoreH.M.S. America(s) as in Plural
Launched in 1777, the third H.M.S. America had 64 guns – twenty-six 24-pounders on her lower gun deck and 18 on its main deck. The ship participated in the Battle of the Chesapeake in September 1781 in which the Royal Navy’s defeat paved the way for Cornwallis’ defeat and ultimately independence.
Read MoreJefferson’s Complicated Relationship With the U.S. Navy
Fortunately for the navy, tribute to the Barbary Pirates was approaching 30% of the Federal budget and it was obvious to Jefferson and the Congress that it would go in only one direction, up. The money spent on tribute could more than pay for a Navy. With the Barbary Pirates again seizing U.S. flagged ships in the Caribbean, he authorized the Navy to expand and he ordered them to the Mediterranean in May 1801 to end this piracy.
Read MoreJefferson Takes a Budget Axe to the New U.S. Navy
The man from Monticello (Thomas Jefferson) learned a hard lesson that our political leaders continue to relearn today when it comes to defense policy. With the stroke of a pen one can deactivate squadrons or divisions or ships. The savings are soon realized. However, it takes years, sometimes decades to recoup the capability cut.
Read MoreBenjamin Stoddert’s Difficult Task
Stoddert began a ship building program. While most have heard of the famous “Six Frigates” – Chesapeake, Congress, Constellation, Constitution, President, United States – he also established six formal Navy yards to support the new U.S. Navy. Stoddert realized that in order to have an effective navy, the country needed an infrastructure to keep the ships manned, equipped, and maintained.
Read MoreWe Need a Strong Navy
Ever since the American Revolution, the U.S. has depended on freedom of the seas to trade with other nations. In every major conflict, the role of the U.S. Navy was decisive in helping ensure victory. Without control of the Atlantic, victory in Europe in WWI or WWII would not have been possible. And during the Cold War, had the Soviets invaded Europe, we would have fought the third Battle of the Atlantic.
Read MoreThe Seeds of the Needs for a Strong Navy
Since the United States is a maritime nation, logic says we need a strong navy to protect our coasts, our merchant ships, and our interests abroad. Yet, despite knowing this,…
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