Quick question for all you American History fans...What was the name of the first ship to be used by the United States Navy? Thinking, thinking....nothing comes to mind? Well, I'll tell you and then you can work this bit of trivia into the conversation. Your friends will be dazzled and amazed. Don't be surprised if they invite you to a game of Trivial Pursuit!
Statue of General John Glover
On this day, September 2nd, 1775, then-General George Washington commissioned the Schooner Hannah, under the command of Nicolson Broughton, to sail against the British. The Hannah was owned by General John Glover's family of Marblehead, Massachusetts and was named for his wife. A renowned military man, John Glover founded the "Glover's Regiment" or 14th Continental Regiment during the Revolution. The regiment was a bit of a precursor to today's Navy Seals because they were known for their tough and aggressive nautical skills. Fighting determinedly, they were instrumental in the skirmishes at Kip's Bay and Pell's Point. Glover's regiment, however, is most famously known for taking General Washington and his men across the Delaware River in December 1776. Once there, Washington's men were able to join several other regiments and overtake the enemy.
Washington Crossing The Delaware by Emanuel Leutze
But back in 1775, Washington found himself infuriated by the British. Almost all of the supply ships heading to the Continental Army from Nova Scotia, the West Indies, and England had been plundered by British troops. He desperately needed some help, so he turned to his friend John Glover, who made the 78-ton
Hannah at his disposal. (Friendship only went so far, though, as Washington paid for the charter out of his own pocket) The crew were selected from Glover's own sea-experienced regiment. Soon, however, Washington and Glover came to the realization that one ship would not be enough for the marauding British fleet. The
Hancock, Lee, Franklin, and
Warren were also put into service by Washington. Together with the
Hannah, the newly-named American Navy were able to severely disrupt the British's plundering tactics and capture some arms for themselves.
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The
Hannah's career as a sea vessel was brief, lasting until October, 1775 when she was viciously run aground by the British ship, Nautilus. The town of Beverly, Massachusetts (the place where the grounding occurred) offered assistance to the ship and it was mercifully saved from total destruction by the British troops. Today, the towns of Marblehead and Beverly (Mass.) proclaim themselves "the Birthplace of the American Navy" and "Washington's Navy Base", respectively.
"Okay, we are ready for our close-ups"
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