The United States Navy: Early years Quiz

Answer: Don't tread on me

It was a yellow flag with a black snake above the words. The purpose of the Navy at this time was to harass British shipping and capture its cargo. The fleet consisted of former merchant vessels converted into warships.

Answer: David Farragut

The United States Navy did not have any Admirals until 1862 when Congress approved nine Rear Admirals. Two years later Farragut, one of the Rear Admirals, was appointed Vice Admiral and in 1866 he was appointed by the President of the United States to the rank of Admiral. John Paul Jones had argued for more senior officer rankings above Captain but Congress would not listen.
http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/triv4-5l.htm

Answer: Hannah, Hancock, and Franklin

The Continental Congress urged the colonies to arm and equip ships for the revolution but Rhode Island asked for a single Continental Navy. General George Washington had already bought one ship, "The Hannah", and shortly after that the "Hancock" and "Franklin" set sail under Congressional orders. The Hannah first set sail in September of 1775 and the other two in October. There were about fifty ships used during the revolution.
http://www.globalindex.com/nsbol/1municip/beverly/history.htm

Answer: It was disbanded

Under the Articles of Confederation the United States could not afford to maintain a single warship economically, so the fleet was disbanded in 1785. It was reestablished in 1793 under the Constitution and called the United States Navy.
http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio4/biblio4a.htm

Answer: The Quasi War

After Napoleon seized control in France, the new French Government viewed Jay's treaty as a violation of earlier treaties between the United States and France. As a result the French began sending warships to attack American merchant vessels doing business with the British and broke off diplomatic relations with the United States. This war led to the "XYZ Affair" but was quickly resolved in 1800.
http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio4/biblio4a.htm

Answer: United States, Constitution, Constellation

Congress officially ordered six frigates be built in 1794. Believe it or not, the first to come out of production was the "United States", then came the "Constellation" and finally the "Constitution". The other three that were built were the "Chesapeake", "President", and "America".
http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/lessons/new_us_navy/new_us_navy.html

Answer: Philadelphia

Her officers were made prisoners of war and her crew sold into slavery. The pirates could repaired her and put her back to sea. Stephen Decatur then made a daring raid and burned the ship.
http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_vol_2/usnavy_bgh.html

Answer: H.M.S. Confiance and U.S.S. Saratoga

The Confiance struck the first blow taking out the starboard battery of the Saratoga. The Saratoga then positioned herself with the port battery facing the Confiance and beat her. After the Confiance struck her colors most of the British ships surrendered, others ran off.
http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_III/warof181_h.html

Answer: Designing the first combat submarine

Her name was the Turtle and she piloted by Ezra Lee. She was ineffective. She was pedal powered and had a drill to make holes into the enemy ships. Lee never penetrated the hull of HMS Eagle. Shame on you if you answered selling the plans for West Point, that was, of course, Benedict Arnold.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsubmarine5.htm

Answer: Esek Hopkins

On December 22, 1775 Continental Congress called upon him to act as Commander In Chief. John Paul Jones was the eighteenth Captain of the Navy appointed on October 22nd, 1775.