| The Origin Of United States Navy |
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The United States Navy is the most powerful fighting force that is afloat today. In fact, the United States Navy is nearly as large as the next top 13 naval forces put together. Today the US Navy forms the backbone of the force projection capabilities of United States all across the globe. It is not only the largest fighting force afloat today, it is also the foremost marine research and survey unit active in the present times.
The United States Navy is also one of the few naval forces which have true expeditionary or Blue Water capabilities. This highly glorious status of the United States Navy comes from a history that is laden with blood, sweat and tears. The United States Navy started as the Continental Navy on October 13, 1775. It started with a humble 4 ships which were fitted in the port of Philadelphia state. The first role of the Continental Navy was to act as a means of cutting the supply lines of British forces in United States. They cruised the high seas in Atlantic ocean in search for the British ships that carried supplies and men to strengthen the British forces stationed in America during the revolutionary war. In the course of American revolutionary war, the number of ships grew to 50. However, after the revolutionary war was over, the new United States government sold off the ships and their crews were retired. It was not until 1789 that the United States constitution allowed the US government to have a sea based fighting force. Still it was only by 1794 that the first six frigates were ordered for construction. From 1794 to 1798, the War Department remained in control of the Naval forces and after 1798, the Department of Navy was established and the forces were transferred to it. From the very beginning, the United States Navy has been playing the twin roles of protecting the sea based commerce of United States and defense of the US borders and coasts. During the time of presidency of Benjamin Harrison, the navy of United States took up a more offensive role. The US government worked to build newer, more powerful ships with heavy offensive capabilities and also started establishment of naval bases in other countries to extend its reach beyond continental United States. During all the years that the United States has existed, the US Navy has served the country with great bravery. Not only has the navy fought in some of the largest conflicts including the two world wars, it has also helped the US Government bring peace and order back to the country whenever it has been ravaged by natural disasters like cyclones, hurricanes etc. The US Navy is truly among the best of its kind. Related Articles
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