The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps got their start in Philly

Two of the six U.S. Armed Forces branches were created and shaped by decisions made in fall of 1775 right here in Philly.

The history of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps began as pre-Revolutionary America figured out how to defend itself and its freedom.

The Continental Navy, or the precursor to the U.S. Navy, came first.

“Congress knew that to be able to defend our port cities effectively and to really harass the British as they were trying to get troops to the colonies, the only way to do that would be to have our own navy that could effectively engage the British fleets at sea,” said Sean Connolly, the executive director of the Arch Street Meeting House.

Early American colonists, including George Washington, were acquiring naval boats and forces far before the Navy’s official establishment.

Most historians and the U.S. Navy itself view the official Navy anniversary as October 13, 1775, or the date when the Continental Congress voted to fit out two armed vessels to intercept British transport ships.

From there, the Continental Navy was formed. Its goal was to provide commerce protection, give mutual support for other boats and fight off British vessels when necessary.

Congress soon recognized the need for what later became the Continental Marines, which was a part of the Continental Navy at the time.

This group, established in November 1775, was more involved in on-the-ground combat and raids of British ships. While the Continental Navy often fought with machines and boats, the Continental Marines tended to be on the front lines of battle and storming other land and boats.

“The whole idea of those (Marine) units was that they were on ships and they were the fighting men who would get off the ships when they arrived somewhere,” Connolly said.

The groups both faced difficulty post-Revolutionary War. The new nation did not have a central government or taxation powerful enough to sustain a national Navy or Marines, leading to their disbanding in 1783.

“There was a feeling that maybe we don’t need a standing military,” Connolly said. “It’s really expensive and the ships obviously need constant maintenance. So they disbanded these two branches of the military.”

Forming modern-day military branches

Both groups were “re-founded” around the same time – with their histories once diverging again.

Without a navy, American vessels became easy targets. Barbary pirates from North Africa began taking American vessels and their crews. These tensions, combined with European tensions, led the new nation to reconsider its needs and eventually form the U.S. Navy.

“There was really an idea that, ‘oh wow, we actually do need these if we’re going to be a global power or even a small power,’” Connolly said. “You need to be able to project your presence out into the world. You need ships to do that. You need men on the ships to do that.”

The Navy was officially founded with the signing of the Naval Act of 1794 in March. Even then, the Navy fell under the Department of War and was suffering without its own designated leadership and department.

In 1798, the government officially created the Department of the Navy – which had the power to make contracts, manage its own fleets and manage its own finances. The Marine Corps was refounded shortly after on July 11, 1798.

Connolly said Philly had an important part in these negotiations.

“All roads at the time sort of led through Philadelphia, so it made sense that these early branches were being formed here as well,” he said.

Both branches continued to develop through Philadelphia. As the nation’s first capital, many early recruits lived in the area and served on these forces.

The U.S. Marine Corps actually became a part of the Department of the Navy in 1834 – and now the two serve as “sister services.”

Today, the Navy and Marine Corps still share similarities and differences.

The Marine Corps often serves as the “first on the ground” and is a quick reaction force. They are trained specifically for the combat that may be necessary in these situations.

The Navy’s goal is specifically to protect the U.S. at sea – often involving transporting ships and protecting travelers and U.S. ships.

Most of the Navy’s training focuses on shipboard activity, while the Marine Corps goes through training more centered around hand-to-hand combat, basic battlefield techniques and martial arts.

This week’s Firstival highlights the importance of these military branches and will feature crafting activities, education and more.

“We’re going to have some interpreters there,” Connolly said. “For instance, we’ll have someone portraying Samuel Nicholas to talk a little bit about what it was like to be the first commissioned officer of the Marine Corps. We’re going to have some hands-on activities for kids, like rope making, which is really important on Navy ships. We’re also going to have a scavenger hunt across the property.”

It will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arch Street Meeting House at 320 Arch St.

Below is more info on all of this year’s Firstivals – including where you can find this upcoming Saturday’s Firstival dates and location.