Continental Navy

E1995

The Continental Navy was the nascent naval force established by the American colonies during the Revolutionary War to challenge British maritime power.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf historical navy
military organization
authorizedBy Second Continental Congress
conflict American Revolutionary War
country United States
countryOfOrigin United States
dissolvedBy Confederation Congress
endTime 1785
establishedInTerritorialEntity Thirteen Colonies
flag Grand Union Flag
followedBy United States Navy
hasCommander Esek Hopkins
John Barry
John Paul Jones
hasMotto “Don’t Tread on Me” (associated naval ensign)
headquartersLocation Philadelphia
historicalRole forerunner of the United States Navy
language English
legalBasis resolutions of the Continental Congress
location Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Sea
English Channel
Thirteen Colonies
notableEngagement Battle of Flamborough Head
Battle of Nassau
capture of HMS Drake
notablePerson Esek Hopkins
John Barry
John Paul Jones
Robert Morris
notableShip USS Alfred
USS Bonhomme Richard
USS Hancock
USS Lexington
USS Providence
USS Ranger
USS Wasp
operatedBy Continental Congress
partOf Continental Armed Forces
precededBy naval forces of the Thirteen Colonies
purpose challenge British maritime power
disrupt British supply lines
protect American commerce
reasonForDissolution financial constraints
sale of remaining ships
serviceBranch naval warfare
startTime 1775-10-13
usedEnsign Gadsden flag
striped naval ensign with union jack


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