Evening star., 1925-10-11

for IL was $50 years ago next
Tuesday, on October l3. l775,
that the first definite step was
taken toward providing sea power in
the struggle for American independ-
ence. On that momentous day the
Continental Congress appointed
special naval committee, the original
members being John Adams, Silas
Deane and John IangdOn.
The cause of this first move toward
crea ton of a naval establishment that
was destined to take first rank among
the naVies of the modern world, was
tidings that two British transports
had sailed from England bound for
Quebec with military supplies that
would prove of highest value to the
hard-pressed Colonial forces. The
special committee was therefore EN-
powered to fit out two swift, armed
sailing vessels to cruise eastward and
attempt TO intercept the reported
storeships.
The organization of the land forces
of the rebellion against George III
had so occupied Congress that nothing
more had been done toward providing
naval strength, but once embarked
upon the venture, expense and effort
We're not stinted.
On October 81 1775, the anniversary
Of which is designated by the Navy
League as Navy day, in honor OF this
anniversary and the late President
Roosevelts birthday, the naval COM
mittee recommended the construction
Of 13 men o war, of armament rang
ing from "a TO 80 guns each. Congress
ordered these completed by April.
1716, at a total cost of something over
$3.50 900.
Congress and the people We're not
@AI.
until these ships We're ready, and be-
fore the end of l715 the nucleus of the
| Navy of the Revolution had been
gathered. 1t was composed not of
vessels built for war purposes but
such merchant craft as could hastily
he acquired. Thus the Alfred became
the first American warship.
The origin of the Alfred remains
somewhat obscure, but 1t seems estab-
| lished that she was the Black Prince,
an Indiaman, recently arrived at
Philadelphia. She was "A small vessel
but we'll built, and taken over by the
Continentals. she was armed with
twenty 91pounders, with few guns
| placed on her quarterback and fore
| castle. She was renamed the Alfred.
curiously enough in honor of Alfred
the Great. commonly regarded as the
| founder of the British navy, with
representatives of which she was
destined soon to come to grips.
Other ships acquired about this time
were the Columbus, Lexington. Re-
prisal, Cabot, Andrea Doria, Ham
| den, Providence, Independence, Sa-
chem, Hornet, Fly, Wasp and Mos
| quito.
With the creation of a floating
| establishment arranged. Congress
turned it's attention to selecting per
sonnel. Esek Hopkins of Providence
| described as a most experienced and
venerable sea captain" was selected
commander-in-ch at the munificent
remuneration of $125 a month. Other
officers were selected at the same time
their pay ranging from $50 month
for captains of ships of 20 guns dowr
to $S a month for seamen. Among
| these officers was Lieut.. John Pau
| Jones, whose exploits later on in the
| Revolution were to win him undying
| fame.
This sesqui- year also in
cludes the 150th thanniversary of the birth
of the Marine Corps, for on Novem
her 8, 1775, Congress resolved: That
| two battalions of marines be raised
to be enlisted and commissioned tC
serve for and during the present wal
| between Great Britain and the Colo
| MES and to be considered as a part o1
| the Continental Army before Boston
| particular care to he taken that nj
persons be appointed but such as are
good seamen or so acquainted will
| maritime affairs as to be able to serve
| with advantage at sea when required.
The far-seeing wisdom of the policy
laid down in those dark early day.
has been amply demonstrated b!
American marines in every conflic
| down to the present time.
X \
THE colonists' first naval effort il
= the Revolution was soon attempt
ed One morning early in January
1776, Capt. Hopkins stepped into hi
barge at the foot of Walnut street
| Philadelphia, and amid a thunderOu
salute of artillery and cheers of tn
populace made his way through tn
ice-fflEed river to his flagship, tn
Alfred. When the comma ander in chic
had gained the deck of the Alfred
Lieut.. John Paul Jones hoisted ye
low silk flag. bearing the device of
pine tree and rattlesnake, and tn
motto Don't Tread on Me-" the frs
| flag run up on an American man-o
war. There was also hoisted gran
3 union jack. 1t had the British jacl
where the field of stars now shines 4
the American flag and 13 Stripe.
which some have said represented tn
r 13 Colonies. A more likely explans
=. ton is that this flag was one carrie
by the Alfred when she was still tn
f Black Prince, that having been tn
l house flag of the India Company.
81 The squadron, composed Of the A