Give me a fast ship

By Tim McGrath

Subjects: Naval operations, United States. Continental Navy, United states, history, revolution, 1775-1783, naval operations, United States, United States. Navy, History, United states, navy, history

Description: America in 1775 was on the verge of revolution-- or, more likely, disastrous defeat. After the bloodshed at Lexington and Concord, England's King George sent hundreds of ships westward to bottle up American harbors and prey on American shipping. Colonists had no force to defend their coastline and waterways until John Adams of Massachusetts proposed a bold solution: The Continental Congress should raise a navy.