Aug. 3, 2022

“…to procure the most durable wood in the world – the live oak of Georgia…”: Building the New U.S. Navy in the 1790s

"Editor's Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command will commemorate the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy's six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy and American history,  and the U.S. Navy's earliest

May 2, 2022

A Frigate Battle through Enemy Eyes

During the War of 1812, USS United States, one of six original frigates of the U.S. Navy, defeated and captured HMS Macedonian. Samuel Leech, a seaman aboard Macedonian, later described in vivid and gruesome detail what it was like to be on the losing end of a battle with an American warship.

March 27, 2014

#PlatformsMatter -- The Rebirth of the U.S. Navy: A Fleet of Frigates to Equal None

Yesterday, we outlined how piracy was the catalyst in getting the leadership of the young United States on board with creating a national naval force. As the Barbary Coast pirates continued to either break or try to renegotiate their treaties with the U.S., Congress finally authorized the construction of six frigates at the cost of $688,888.82,