Evening journal., 1898-08-20
uNcIlE SAME rIRsr NAVY.

1ANAl4AA toEANA NAV
The outbreak Of the revolutionary
war found the patriots without a navy.
Congress had to create one. -Four
merchantmen were FIRST purchased,
hastily equipped with guns and sent to
sea as cruisers; but their defects as
war vessels soon became so apparent
that Congress determined at once TO
set about the building Of navy. On
October 3. 1775, Congress ordered two
cruisers built; and ON December 13 the
order was increased to- FIVE S2-gun ships,
five 2S-gun ships and three 2i-gun ships.
They we're to be ready for the sea by
the following April. The names given
to the thirteen vessels were Boston,
Congress, Eflingham, Delaware,
Hancock, Montgomery, Providence,
Raleigh, Trumbull, Virginia. Warren,
Washington and Randolph These
were the first war vessels constructed
in the United States
The first commander-in-chief was
Ezekiel Hopkins, Of Rhode Island, a
younger brother OF Congressman Ste
phens Hopkins. He was appointed to
this high Office on December %, 1775.
At the time OF his appointment Eze-
lkiel Hopkins was a brigadier general
In command Of the Rhode Island
troops, acting under commission from
the governor. He had spent part OF his
life on board merchant ships and had
also BEEN shipbuilder; consequently
he was fitted both by experience and
ability to ill the important Office given
to him. In a short time fleet OF four
ships and three sloops were ready, and
with these Admiral Hopkins set out to
win glory for himself and country.
Among his lieutenants was the famous
John Paul Jones, who was probably
the most brilliant and daring naval
officer OF the wars with England
The Bahama Islands, in the West
Indies, were then an English colony,
with New Providence as their princi-
pal seaport and seat OF government,
and hither the new admiral sailed with
the new navy. He attacked the city
captured the harbor fort and town, and
brought back with him to America the
English governor as a prisoner eighty
cannons and a very large quantity oi
ammunition and other military stores
This brilliant achievement was a god.
send to the dlsheartened and impov.
} erished patriots. It renewed theii
courage and replenished their stores
Admiral Hopkins was the hero OF tha
} hour, and received a vote OF thanks
) from Congress for his great deeds
which had redounded to the glory o
? his country.
Shortly after his return from the Ba
: hamas he met two English ships OF
Block Island and captured both 0
{ them. Two days later he had an en-
gagement with the English 29-gun shi
D Glasgow. but did not succeed in car
r turing It. The public severely censure
= his conduct OF this battle, and In Junt
( l776, he was ordered to appear betor
the Congressional Committee. After
hearing had been given him, the com
3 mittee sent favorable report OF hi
actions to Congress. which the latte
body approved, so the admiral was ex
onerated from all blame.
p He was now placed in charge or
large number OF war vessels whic
Congress was having built. The tas
r was difficult one. Money and mate
s rial were hard to get. Al powerful
! English feet blockaded the harbor
5 and prevented the sailing OF some
e his ships when completed. The peopl
\ became impatient. The press accuse
] him Of siowness, OF being a laggard 1
D his countrys service. His temper wa
b never Of the best, and he emphatlcala
] resented the clamor OF complaints
o Again he was summoned to appear be
D fore Congress for investigation. The
q the testy old sailor lost his temper en-
{ tirely, and sent a point-blank refuss
to Congress. couched in vigorous bu
undiplomatic English. The result
all this was he was dismissed from tn
service january ?, 1777.
Z Ezekiel Hopkins at once equipped
S fast and powerful privateer, and agai
4 went to sea. He sailed to the East II
, dies, where his daring and skill foun
: rich rewards. During one cruise b
captured a sufficient number Of ric
r. English merchantmen to cause HI
D profits to foot up over 81, 900. At al
/ other time he fell in with a large he'
/ Of English merchantmen protected b
man-of-war. He boldly Joined IN
feet, and every might cut out and cal
tured vessel, until he had sent te
home and could spare no more me
from his crew. He became the mo-
successful and daring Of all the Amer
; can privateersmen. When the war en'