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Pennsylvania Navy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pennsylvania Navy (more formally known as the Pennsylvania State Navy) served as the naval force of Pennsylvania during the American Revolution and afterward, until the formation of the United States Navy.
The navy was created by the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety on July 6, 1775, to defend Philadelphia's waterborne approach from along the Delaware River. Thirteen row galleys, each with a single cannon in the bow, were ordered and built. The first six were launched by July 19 with an additional six vessels by the end of August. Their names were; Bulldog, Burke, Camden, Congress, Dickinson, Effingham I, Experiment, Franklin, Hancock, Ranger and Warren. Each vessel's armament consisted of a single cannon, ranging from 18 to 32 pounders.
Additionally, 10 fire rafts were built by the end of 1775 and in 1776; the Arnold and the Putnam were built as floating batteries and were manned by Pennsylvania State Marines.
By the end of August 1776, the Pennsylvania State Navy consisted of 768 men manning 27 vessels, with 21 more smaller vessels on order. These were armed with a four-pounder gun in the bow and were classed as guard boats.
The Navy did see in action on May 6, 1776, when they engaged the British ships Roebuck 44 and Liverpool 28. The British were forced to withdraw to Newcastle, Delaware. The Pennsylvania State Navy was responsible for preventing the resupply of Philadelphia when it was occupied by British General Sir William Howe.
The Pennsylvania Navy was dissolved upon the formation of the United States Navy.