Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-05-18
Uncle Sans First Navy.

Congress had to create one. -Four
merchantmen were first purchased,
hastily equipped with guns and sent
to sea rs cruisers; but their defects as
war vessels soon became so apparent
that Congress determined at once to
set about the building of navy. On
Oct. 3, 1775, Congress ordered two
cruisers built; and on Dec. Ii the Or
der was Increased to five 32-gun ships.
They were to be ready fer the sea by
the following April. The names CIV
en- to the thirteen vessels were Boston.
Congress, Effingham, Delaware. Han
cock, Montgomery, Providence. Raj
eigh, Virginia, Trumbull, Warren,
Washington and Randolph. These
we're 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
Stephens Hopkins. He was appoint
ed to his high office on Dec. %, IT'S.
At the time Of his appointment
Ezekiel Hopkins was Brigadier
General in command Of the Rhode
leland troops acting under commits
sion from the Governor. He had
spent part of his life on board mer.
chant ships and had also been a ship
builder; consequently he was fitted
both by experience and ability to fill
the important Office given to him.
In a short time fleet of four ships
and three Shops were ready, and with
these Admiral hopkins set out to win
glory for hircelf and country.
Among his Lieutenants was the fam
GUS Joho Paul Jones, who was prob
ably the most brilliant and daring
naval officer Of the wars with Eng
land.
The Bahama Islands, in the West
Indies, we're then an English colony,
with New Providence as their rrin-
cipal seaport and seat of government,
and hither the new Admiral sailed
with the new navy. He attacked the
city, captured tie hGrbor, fort and
town, and brought back with him to
America the English Governor as Il
prisoner, eighty cannons and very
large quantity Of ammunition and
other military stores. This brilliant
achievement was a godsend to the
disheartened and impoverished pa
triots. 1t renewed their courage aud
replenished their stores. Admiral
Hopkins was the hero of the hour.
and received vote of thanks from
Congress for his great deeds, which
had redounded to the glory of his
country.
Shortly after his return from the
Bahamas he met two English ships
off Block Island and captured both of
them. Two days later he had an Ell
gagement with the English 29-gun
ship Glasgow, but did not succeed III
capturing it. The public severly cen-
sured his conduct of this battle, and
in June, 1776, he was ordered to ap-
pear before the Congressional COM
.mittee. After hearing had been
given him the committee sent a fav-
orable report of his actions to Con-
gress, which the latter body approved
80 the Admiral was exonerated from,
all blame.
He was now placed in charge of a
large number Of war vessels which
Congress was having built. The tasl,
was Il difficult ono. Money and mate
rial we're hard to get. A powerful
English feet b'ockaded the harbort
and prevented the sailing OF some oil
his ships when completed. The PEG
pie became impatient. The press nc.
cused him of slowness, Of being lag.
gard in his countcy's service. His
temper was never of the best. and he
emphatically resented the clamor OF
complaints. Again he was summon.
ed to appear before Congress for in.
vestigation. Then the testy old sailor
lost his temper entirely, and sent a