The Act to Provide a Naval Armament, also known as the Naval Act, was passed by the United States Congress on March 27, 1794 and established the first naval force, which eventually became the United States Navy. Congress in Joint Session. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in Leap years). ... 1794 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The six original United States frigates were authorized by Congress with the Naval Act of 1794 on March 27, 1794 at a then-cost of $688,888. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ...

During the period from 1783 (when the last fighting ship of the American Revolutionary War was sold) until 1797, America's only armed maritime service was the Revenue Cutter Service. During the 1790s American merchant shipping began to be harassed by France and by pirates from the Barbary Coast area, most notably Algiers. This had not been a problem when America was under the protection of the British Empire, but after the War of Independence many foreign powers felt they could harass American merchant ships with impunity. Indeed, once the French Revolution started, Britain also started interdicting American merchant ships. In addition to this, 11 ships were seized by pirates during the 1790s, and there was nothing the fledgling American government could do about it. With this as the backdrop, America begain thinking about constructing a force to defend her merchant marine. Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Netherlands, Spain, allies British Empire, German states, allies Commanders George Washington Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene William Howe Henry Clinton Charles Cornwallis Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} {{{notes}}} The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War for Independence, was the military... The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. ... Events and Trends French Revolution ( 1789 - 1799). ... Battle between the british frigate HMS Mary Rose and seven Algerine pirates, 1669 Though at least a proportion of them are better described as privateers, the Barbary pirates operated out of Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers, Salè and ports in Morocco, preying on shipping in the western Mediterranean Sea from the time... The Barbary Coast, or Barbary, was the term used by Europeans till the 19th century to refer to the coastal regions of what is now Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. ... Map of Algeria showing Algiers province Algiers (French Alger, (Arabic: ولاية الجزائر) El-Jazair, The Islands) is the capital and largest city of Algeria in North Africa. ... The British Empire was, at one time, the foremost global power and the greatest empire in history. ... The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period in the history of France. ...

The Act provided for the construction of four ships to carry forty guns each, and two ships to carry thirty-six guns each - by purchase or otherwise. This was a major philosophical shift for the young Republic, many of whose leaders felt that a Navy would be too expensive to raise and maintain, too imperialistic, and would unnecessarily provoke the European powers. In the end, however, it was felt necessary to protect American interests at sea.

In March 1796, as construction of the frigates slowly progressed, a peace accord was announced between the United States and the Dey of Algiers. In accordance with clause nine of the Naval Act of 1794, a clause that specifically directed that construction of the frigates be discontinued if peace was established, construction on all six ships was halted. After heated debate, Congress agreed to continue to fund the construction of the three ships closest to completion. Finally, on May 10, 1796, the USS United States, the first of the nation's new warships, was launched in Philadelphia. This launching was followed by completion of the USS Constellation on September 7, 1797, and finally by the USS Constitution on October 21, 1797. May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1796 was a leap year starting on Friday. ... The first USS United States was a frigate in the United States Navy in 1797. ... Philadelphia is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ... The first USS Constellation, a 38-gun frigate, was the first ship to be commissioned in the United States Navy; the first US Navy vessel to put to sea; and the first US Navy vessel to engage, defeat, and capture an enemy vessel. ... September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate of the United States Navy. ... October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

External links

• Text of the Act