On This Day In History The Continental Congress Created The Continental Navy

As History.com notes, on this day in 1775 the Continental Congress created the Continental Navy.

On Friday, December 22, 1775, the Continental Congress creates a Continental Navy, naming Esek Hopkins, Esq., as commander in chief of the fleet. Congress also named four captains to the new service: Dudley Saltonstall, Abraham Whipple, Nicholas Biddle and John Burrows Hopkins. Their respective vessels, the Alfred, Columbus, Andrew Doria and Cabot, became the first ships of the Navy’s fleet. Five first lieutenants, including future American hero John Paul Jones, five second lieutenants, and three third lieutenants also received their commissions. 

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link: 

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/continental-congress-creates-a-continental-navy?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2015-1222-12222015&om_rid=de5e4076c942a595dbda53f758321d197499484f6d117f61b6ac5c08e0d6f0aa&om_mid=8721883&kx_EmailCampaignID=1367&kx_EmailCampaignName=email-hist-tdih-2015-1222-12222015&kx_EmailRecipientID=de5e4076c942a595dbda53f758321d197499484f6d117f61b6ac5c08e0d6f0aa