The Reestablishment of the Navy, 1787-1801
Historical Overview and Select Bibliography
Michael J. Crawford
Christine F. Hughes
NAVAL HISTORY BIBLIOGRAPHIES, NO. 4
Contents
Foreword
Historical Overview of the Federalist Navy,
1787-1801
First Naval Legislation Under the Constitution
Construction of the First Six Frigates
Quasi-War with France
Federalist Legacy
Needs and Opportunities for Research
and Writing
Bicentennial Award Competition
Select Bibliography of Published Works
General Studies and Monographs
Politics, Policies, and Establishment
of the Navy
Naval Administration
Shipbuilding and Ordnance
Naval Operations
Relations with Barbary Powers
Quasi-War with France
Impressment and Relations with Great Britain
The Officer Corps
Enlisted Personnel
Uniforms
Naval Discipline, Education, and Medicine
Naval Art
Marines
Privateering
Foreword
The purpose of this publication is to encourage understanding
and further study of events associated with the rebirth of the
American Navy in the 1790s. In comprehending the significance
of this milestone in our naval history, one needs to remember
that the United States Navy traces its beginnings to the Continental
Navy that was established in 1775 at the outset of the American
Revolution. Following the winning of American independence, however,
our nation elected to have no navy for a period of almost ten
years.
America's founding fathers included provisions for a navy
in the new federal constitution of 1789. But actual steps to create
that service did not occur until the mid-1790s, when America's
thriving overseas shipping and trade became targets of attacks
and interference. These foreign threats, combined with the determination
by many leaders to establish the United States as a major power,
led President Washington and Congress to recognize the need to
restore American defenses at sea.
It is possible to argue that the decision to re-create a navy
in the turbulent decade of the 1790s is as significant as the
founding of the Continental Navy in 1775. The nation's experiment
in doing without a naval force in the years following the American
Revolution proved to be entirely unsatisfactory. Simply put, we
learned in this period that the United States faced unpredictable
threats, from different sources and in several regions, that needed
to be met by a navy capable of defending American interests on
the high seas. As we approach the twenty- first century, that
recognition still explains why our country needs to maintain a
strong navy.
Michael J. Crawford, who heads the Naval Historical Center's
Early History Branch, and his associate, Christine F. Hughes,
deserve praise for the fine scholarship reflected in this volume.
In addition, the Center deeply appreciates the contributions of
several noted authorities on early American history who offered
their criticisms and suggestions as this volume evolved through
several drafts. Those individuals included William M. Fowler,
Jr., Northeastern University; Harold D. Langley, Smithsonian Institution;
Christopher McKee, Grinnell College; William J. Morgan, Naval
Historical Center emeritus; and Michael A. Palmer, East Carolina
University.
Despite the invaluable assistance they received, the authors
alone are responsible for this volume. I join them in expressing
the hope that this publication will be a valuable resource for
any individual interested in the historical development of our
nation and the American navy.
Dean C. Allard
Director of Naval History
