Happy 247th birthday to the United States Navy!Their theme for this year is “On Watch – 24/7 for 247 Years!”Back on October 13, 1775, like any newborn, the Navy was a tiny baby – just two ships. The Revolutionary War had barely started and it was not at all clear if there would even be a United States. Maybe Great Britain would win the war and our little two-ship navy would not even make the history books.Fighting had begun on April 19, 1775. One of the big advantages that Britain had was their powerful fleet of ships – called the Royal Navy. Their ships could move weapons, soldiers, and supplies around in ways the American Colonies could not. So, on October 13, the Continental Congress bought two vessels to search for ships supplying the British with troops and weapons.These two small vessels, the Cabot and the Andrew Doria, were not warships, but ships that carried things to be sold. These were called merchant ships. But they were outfitted with guns and became the start of our navy.Two months later, on December 13, 1775, Congress authorized the building of thirteen warships called frigates. It also purchased some more merchant vessels and added them to our little fleet. One was called the Alfred.Throughout the war, our navy grew to more than 50 ships, including 20 warships.To be fair, though, there was no navy in the world that could stand up to Britain’s Royal Navy. They were the strongest and the best, and our young naval force was no match for them. During the war, almost all of our ships were captured or destroyed.That doesn’t mean our navy was useless. In many instances, our ships slowed the progress of the British and prevented them from moving or resupplying their soldiers. Our navy helped us win the war.And afterwards, it was clear to our leaders how important a strong navy is. So as time went on, more and more effort was put into building ships and training sailors.Eventually, the United States Navy became what the British Navy had once been: the most powerful navy in the world. For 247 years, in wartime and peace, our Navy has been vital to our defense and safety.Today, among its many ships, the U.S. Navy has 11 aircraft carriers, which is more than all other nations combined. And it has 92 destroyers, which again, is more than all other nations combined.Thousands and thousands of men and women serve in the Navy. And the sorts of jobs they do go way beyond what you might imagine sailors doing. In fact, almost any job you can think of, there’s a need for it in today’s Navy.Some sailors work in science and engineering. Some work in aviation – flying and repairing airplanes and helicopters. Some work in electronics and communication, using and taking care of radios and satellites. Some work as mechanics, repairing engines, large and small.Some work in business and administration – all those thousands of people need to be paid. Some work as first-responders, as Navy police or fire and rescue. Some work as doctors and nurses.All these people need to be fed, so some work as cooks and bakers.There are more than 150 different jobs in the Navy, and no matter which one a sailor or officer or pilot does, it helps make ours the best navy in the world.Fun Facts• Six of the 46 United States presidents have served in the U.S. Navy: John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush.• In addition to the Navy’s birthday, which is October 13, there is another special day, called Navy Day, which occurs on October 27.• Almost every year since 1890, there has been a college football game between the Army and the Navy. Students from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis, Maryland, play against each other.• The game is called the Army-Navy Game. The Army’s team is the Black Knights; the Navy’s is the Midshipmen.• So far, the teams have played 122 times. Navy won 62 games, Army won 53, and seven were ties. This year’s game is scheduled for December 10, 2022.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
