. The history of our Navy from its origin to the present day, 1775-1897. at was in the lackof canvas and gunpowder. They would need7,500 pieces of canvas for the sails and 100tons of powder for the magazines, and therewas not any of either in the market. In the meantime the marine committee ap-pointed under the resolution of October 13thto fit out two vessels to cruise eastward afterthe kings transports, had been increased innumber, and in December consisted of SilasDeane, Christopher Gadsden, John Langdon,Stephen Hopkins, Joseph Hewes, and RichardHenry Lee. John Adams, who was an enthu-siasti
. The history of our Navy from its origin to the present day, 1775-1897. at was in the lackof canvas and gunpowder. They would need7,500 pieces of canvas for the sails and 100tons of powder for the magazines, and therewas not any of either in the market. In the meantime the marine committee ap-pointed under the resolution of October 13thto fit out two vessels to cruise eastward afterthe kings transports, had been increased innumber, and in December consisted of SilasDeane, Christopher Gadsden, John Langdon,Stephen Hopkins, Joseph Hewes, and RichardHenry Lee. John Adams, who was an enthu-siastic supporter of the project to create anavy from the moment it was discussed, hadbeen at first a member of this committee, butbecause of other duties he left it, and Gadsdentook the place. The names of these men arewell worth remembering, for they were theoriginators of the American navy. While theCongress was preparing to build the navy thesemen had labored faithfully, a,nd with success,to provide one ready made out of the shipsthat could be purchased along the THE HISTORY OF OUfi NAVY 39 The Congress had, on November 2d, placed$100,000 at their disposal. With this theywent about buying ships and supplies for London packet called the Black Princecame into port under command of that CaptainJohn Barry who, later on, was a captain in theAmerican navy. She was of good scantling,and was considered a vessel worthy of becom-ing the flagship of the new fleet. The com-mittee purchased her, and, after renaming herthe Alfred, after Alfred the Great, theymounted twenty nine-pounders on deck, withfour (it is said) smaller guns—presumablyfour-pounders—on the forecastle and merchant ship, called the Sally, waspurchased and renamed Columbus, for the greatexplorer, after which she received eighteen ortwenty (authorities vary) nine-pounders. Sheis said to have been crank (top-heavy) and ofsmall value. Two brigs were purchased andrenamed the Andrea Doria, for the f
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