Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-12-05
UNITED STATES navy.
THE GROWTH OF rllE CoUNrny.

THE GROWTH OF TIE COUNTRY.
The government Of every CONNER
cial country should be furnished with
navy. Almost every country has
armed force on the seas, except China.
The British Colonies. partic ularly at
tho eastern part Of the United States.
early IN their history, had armed some
of their vessels. In 1890, when the
first expedition was fitted out against
Canada, the New England States had
several armed ships TO protect their
transports. The transports were pro.
'ected by their armed ships in the wars
that followed in 1910 and IVY. Some
writer's. in speaking Of the war of I745,
give the coionists an immense number
OF privateers-to tho amount Of four
hundred; but this piece of history must
be taken with some explanations rs 10
it's truth. The only, or nearly the
only, object for privateers then was to
secure the French fishermen on the
Grand Banks, or along the Labrador
shore, and the craft used for the pur-
pose were whale-boats, aud the largest,
except few vessels belonging to the
colonies. Perhaps chibscco. boat
was now and then used to carry pro.
visions. and occasionally 10 ioin the
fleet Of boats. This year, i.45, the
French fishermen were nearly all ta /.
ken by the American privateers; nj the
same time, a French chip of sixteen
guns was taken. The admiralty court
was not then very tedious one. The
fees of Office being paid. no other was
demanded. or If demanded never re.
ceived. In this war the colonies had
a fleet Of thirteen vessels that carried
enc hundred and ninety two guns
quite naval force. In the war Of SIS
as il is called, extendiug.to so, there
were many naval exploits, at the mouth
OF ST. Lawrence, and in the West
Indies. The greatest naval armament
Of that period was on Lake George.
Besides several sioops Of war Of no in
considerable size, there were thirty
Thousand and thirty whale boats and
battesux. carrying from twenty to
thirty men each--some Of them con-
siructed to carry heavy ordnance
From the peace Of 1865 to rs, the peo.
pie OF the colonies were busy in their
commerce, but mUre particularly in
their agricultural pursuits. The fish.
eries also had employed a great num-
Der Of seamen, who were ready 1t the
first burst Of the revolution TO take a
part In prIvateering. Scarcely had
hostIlities commenced when q naval
force was thought Of, and many neces.
sary articles were taken from Great
Britain IN prizes to our vessels, before
independence was declared. INTRO
Congress made n considerable navy on
paper, and appointed more than TWEEN
~ captains, but il was sometime be.
fnre they all found ships. The navy
at the United States was effective for
n small one, and did the enemy much
harm, but the cnterprzie Of individuals
vas far more effective than our naiiUn.
nj eXeriiOns, IN naval point Of view.
The first year Of the war a great
amount OF property belonging TO the
English was captured. During the
whole Of Ii,is conflict. there we're more
than seventeen hondred British vessels
taken by our public and private vessels
IAN astonishing number. considering
the means the people possessed. Our
naval forces were commanded by some
experienced and brave men, aud u .his
his,ury was infinitely written would
unpuesiianably contain so'Ne of the f.
nest specimens Ut sea fighting that the
world have known since the Battle Of
LepantO. Sope small exertiOns have
been made TO preserve the names and
deeds ~ these ocean warriors, bat no.
thing satisfactory has been done. John
Adams deserves we'll Of his country
Tor tbe part he took in our naval con
cern. Old commodore Tucker, who
has lately descended to the tomb, was
conspicuous among the "gTea sea
dogs" a. they were familisriy called
at that time, bat who deserved the
name of ''eSninenf commander" His
cOadjatOFs ~ the cause who command
ed ships 81 war, should not be Tor.
gotten. IL is 70 be hoped yet that some
one will be found 81 Sufficient industry,
intelligence and persevetsaee,to write
out our naval history.
AZ the close of the revolution. al
our vessels OF gar were sold OF, aid