The Virginia State Navy (an alternate impression of the HM Sloop OTTER) During the American Revolution, the fledgling country was unable to protect its coasts for want of an established Navy. In essence, the British fleet ruled the waters off of each colony. Therefore, each colony in some form or fashion took steps to protect its coasts and inland waterways on its own. Virginia was no different, and by all accounts took the broadest steps to establish a state fleet to guard its many rivers, creeks, and coastlines. However, from the anchoring of Lord Dunmore’s fleet off of Norfolk in July of 1775, until the surrender of the British army of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in October of 1781, the state was constantly faced with almost insurmountable obstacles in establishing, manning, arming, and maintaining a fleet strong enough to oppose the numerous privateers and Royal Navy vessels that were continuously sailing into her waters.   Nonetheless, Virginia did put a fleet of ships and boats into service. In December of 1775, the Virginia Convention resolved: “And for the greater security of the inhabitants of this colony from depredations of the enemy by water Be it Ordained That the committee of safety shall and they are hereby empowered and required to provide from time to time such and so many armed vessels as they may judge necessary for the protection of the several rivers in this colony, in the best manner the circumstances of the country will admit: and, to that end, to raise and take into pay a sufficient number of officers and men, as well sailors and marines…” The Virginia Committee of safety was initially placed in charge of this daunting task. However it was soon realized that the matter was too complex to be handled by that body. So in June, 1776, the Virginia Convention passed a resolution forming a Naval Board. The board was sworn in by early July, and quickly acted to divide the state into districts in order to better handle the job of defending each geographical area. Agents or contractors were assigned to oversee each district. Work soon began to build or acquire ships to constitute the fleets of the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac River districts.   In July 1776, the newly formed Navy board also established naval magazines to service the various river fleets in operation. The magazines were placed as follows: James River on Chippokes Creek; York River on the Mattaponi River; Rappahannock River on Piscataway Creek; Potomac River on the Potomac Creek. The Vessels The Schooner Liberty was one of the first ships to serve in the Virginia Navy, and was one of the last in service at the surrender at Yorktown. The Liberty was a schooner of 60 tons, square sterned, and mounted 10 swivel guns (likely 2-pounders). One of the Liberty's prizes was the British schooner Fortunatus, taken in 1779 near Hampton Roads, after a two hour battle in which all but four of the Fortunatus' crew were killed or wounded. The Liberty also was the first Virginia Navy ship to actually take a toll on British shipping when she captured four of their merchantmen; the Olive, Lark, Susannah, and Speedwell. The Liberty, along with her sister schooner the Patriot, were both noted for their service early in the war. On one such occasion, they captured two brigs on the York River (either British navy or loyalist privateers), one of which contained a large shipment of butter, beef, eggs and potatoes. The Patriot was also a schooner, armed with eight 2-pounder swivel guns. These two vessels were typical of the schooners in the state fleet. By 1776, Virginia had authorized the construction of "Row Galleys" to be used for the defense of the 4 major rivers, as mentioned earlier. Row galleys were similar to schooners in that that were rigged with two masts. However, their primary means of propulsion was oars, eliminating total dependence on wind. These row galleys were typically armed with 2 heavy guns, usually 18-pounders. Crews on these row galleys numbered approximately fifty men. Because of the shallow draft of these ships, they were perfectly suited for river defense, of which they were continually used for throughout the war. Sloops were similar in size to the schooners, and carried a large crew and armament. The typical sloop in the Virginia Navy carried approximately ten guns, ranging in size from 3 to 6-pounders. The Defiance and the Patsey performed notable service, making several runs to procure and deliver vital supplies of gunpowder and other stores for the Continental army. Ships were the largest of the Virginia Navy ships in service. The most prominent of these ships were the Renown and Tempest. Rather large for the river duty they were performing, they found themselves in a precarious position during the invasion of General Phillips up the James River in April of 1781. Sorely undermanned, the ships nonetheless resisted valiantly when attacked by land forces commanded by Gen. Benedict Arnold on April 27th.  Lt. Col. J. G. Simcoe, commanding his loyalist dragoons and Hessian Jagers, engaged these ships, along with approximately 9 smaller craft, just off of Osborne's landing. With the aid of 4 advantageously placed cannon, they were able to rake the decks of each ship with grape and rifle fire, until they were forced to abandon ship. Arnold even commented to Gen. Clinton after this battle of the quality of the Renown and Tempest, and how they would do well in the service of the crown. There were in excess of 80 vessels that served in the Virginia State navy at some time or another during the American Revolution. Compiled here is a list of ships either constructed or purchased by Virginia for service in the state naval forces. This is not a complete list, but it does give a good indication of the varied types of vessels, as well as their armament and crews that served. Row Galleys (Crew of approx. 50): Manley; two 18-pounders Hero; one 18-pounder, one 24-pounder Lewis; armament unknown Protector; armament unknown *Washington; armament unknown Gloucester; armament unknown Diligence; armament unknown         Norfolk Revenge; two 18-pounders Henry; armament unknown Page; armament unknown Safeguard; armament unknown *Caswell; armament unknown Accomack; armament unknown Dragon; armament unknown *Built at South Quay for protection of Ocracoke sound, North Carolina. Schooners (Crew of approx. 20) Liberty; ten 2-pounder swivel guns *Speedwell; armament unknown Hornet; armament unknown Patriot; eight 2-pounder swivel guns Hannah; armament unknown Revenge; armament unknown *Captured by the Liberty, taken into service 1776 Sloops: Defiance; armament unknown Liberty; eight 3 & 4 pounders Congress; armament unknown         Patsey; armament unknown Scorpion; fourteen 4 & 6 pounders Brigs: (crew of approx. 90) Musquetto; two 6-pounders Liberty; armament unknown American Congress; fourteen 4 & 6 pounders Greyhound; armament unknown Tempest; sixteen 6-pounders Thetis; armament unknown Dolphin; Armament unknown Willing Lass; twelve 4-pounders Mars; eight 4 & 6-pounders American Fabius; eighteen guns         Raleigh; six 4-pounders Adventure; sixteen guns Northhampton; armament unknown Tarter; armament unknown Jefferson; fourteen guns Oliver Cromwell; armament unknown Renown; Sixteen guns Wilkes; twelve 4-pounders Apollo; eighteen 6-pounders Morning Star; twelve guns (Information obtained from The History of Virginia’s Navy of the Revolution, Robert Armistead Stewart, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, 1934;  A Navy for Virginia; A Colony’s Fleet in the Revolution, Charles B. Cross, Jr., The Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, Yorktown, Virginia; and A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations in the American Revolution, 1774-1787, E.M. Sanchez- Saavedra,Willow Bend Books, Westminster, Maryland, 1978.)