Question: when was the department of the navy established
Answer: The United States Department of the Navy ( DoN ) was established by an Act of Congress on April 30 , 1798 ( initiated by the recommendation of James McHenry ) , to provide a government organizational structure to the United States Navy , the United States Marine Corps ( from 1834 onward ) and , when directed by the President ( or Congress during time of war ) , the United States Coast Guard , as a service within the Navy , though each remain independent service branches .