What name did the Continental Congress give the first national American navy created in 1775?

The Continental Congress created the Continental Navy as the first national American navy in 1775.

Congress authorized the navy on October 13, 1775, during the early months of the Revolutionary War. It purchased and converted merchant vessels, commissioned warships, and appointed officers to challenge British shipping and protect American trade. The new force operated with limited money, supplies, and shipbuilding capacity.

The Continental Navy conducted commerce raids, escorted vessels, and attacked British transports. John Paul Jones became its best-known captain, especially after commanding Bonhomme Richard in the 1779 battle against HMS Serapis. Privateers, which were privately owned vessels operating under government authorization, also played a major maritime role but were not the same as Continental Navy ships.

The Continental Navy was disbanded after the war. Congress established the modern United States Navy in 1794, and its first six frigates were authorized under the Naval Act of 1794. The Continental Marines, created in November 1775, served as naval landing troops but were a separate organization.