George Washington was not sure how his army would be supplied, so he tried a few different solutions. One of these was to build a small fleet of ships that could raid British supply vessels.
Great post, Tara...more lesser known details from history. It made me wonder about the Pine Tree flag...found this... The “Appeal to Heaven” motto on the Pine Tree flag is rooted in the popular political philosopher John Locke’s natural rights theory. In Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government, published in 1690, he argued that when all other political and individual methods of resisting tyranny are exhausted, only an “appeal to heaven” remains.
The Tree Flag, featuring a pine tree with the motto “An Appeal to Heaven” or sometimes “An Appeal to God” was used originally by a squadron of six cruiser ships commissioned under George Washington’s authority as commander in chief of the Continental Army in October 1775.
The design of the flag came from General Washington’s secretary, Colonel Joseph Reed. The pine tree had long been a New England symbol being depicted on the Flag of New England flown by colonial merchant ships dating back to 1686. Leading up to the Revolutionary War it became a symbol of Colonial ire and resistance.
Well, everything starts somewhere! Although Hannah and her crew were unsuccessful, fortunately Washington didn’t through the baby out with the bath water. Henceforth, our current Navy of the United States of America was birthed. Thank you, again, Tara, for enlightening us.
Thank you Tara. Washington's first Naval vessel "Hannah" and it's crew were bound to fail. A converted fishing schooner with an untrained crew vs a Royal British vessel seems to be much less than a fair match. As was proven almost immediately. That they would even try to outfight an armed enemy is testament to the determination and character of the crew and their devotion to freedom, George Washington and to God. Probably not in that order as their flag was a plea to Providence.
However, the first US Naval vessel and crew birthed the currently strongest Navy in the world. God bless the United States of America.
Great post, Tara...more lesser known details from history. It made me wonder about the Pine Tree flag...found this... The “Appeal to Heaven” motto on the Pine Tree flag is rooted in the popular political philosopher John Locke’s natural rights theory. In Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government, published in 1690, he argued that when all other political and individual methods of resisting tyranny are exhausted, only an “appeal to heaven” remains.
The Tree Flag, featuring a pine tree with the motto “An Appeal to Heaven” or sometimes “An Appeal to God” was used originally by a squadron of six cruiser ships commissioned under George Washington’s authority as commander in chief of the Continental Army in October 1775.
The design of the flag came from General Washington’s secretary, Colonel Joseph Reed. The pine tree had long been a New England symbol being depicted on the Flag of New England flown by colonial merchant ships dating back to 1686. Leading up to the Revolutionary War it became a symbol of Colonial ire and resistance.
Everyone must start somewhere, Betsy Tara Ross! Our navy got better fast! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
thank you, Tara.
Well, everything starts somewhere! Although Hannah and her crew were unsuccessful, fortunately Washington didn’t through the baby out with the bath water. Henceforth, our current Navy of the United States of America was birthed. Thank you, again, Tara, for enlightening us.
“Washington’s” Navy!
I had heard little of a Continental navy during our war for Independence but this is where our Navy started and I am real glad it did!!!
Thank you, Tara, for enlightening me, again!
Thank you Tara. Washington's first Naval vessel "Hannah" and it's crew were bound to fail. A converted fishing schooner with an untrained crew vs a Royal British vessel seems to be much less than a fair match. As was proven almost immediately. That they would even try to outfight an armed enemy is testament to the determination and character of the crew and their devotion to freedom, George Washington and to God. Probably not in that order as their flag was a plea to Providence.
However, the first US Naval vessel and crew birthed the currently strongest Navy in the world. God bless the United States of America.
Sounds just like how the Marines got their start in that Tun tavern. Bunch of drinking men decide to take on the British Empire and we won!
Sort of Humorous before the effort turned to effectiveness.
Tara the development of our modern navy is detailed in Ian Toll’s “Six Frigates” a fascinating history!
Ian Toll does a good job!