Tag Archives: us navy

Pirates Come to South Carolina

Posted on by

Those of you who have bookmarked or subscribed to this blog for your love of the Age of Sail likely already know this … but just in case: the State Museum of South Carolina has just opened an exhibit on “Pirates, Privateers, and Buccaneers” that will run through 19 September 2010.

(Ironically, 19 September was the day I officially left the US Navy.  Probably less coincidentally, it is also International Talk Like a Pirate Day.)

Sure, there is a lot of stuff just for kids, but also genuine pirate treasure, belt buckles, weapons, plates, and a ship’s bell retrieved from the bottom of the sea.  For a neat review of the exhibit, check out Kristy Rupon’s feature at The State: “Pirate myths walk the plank.”

Field trip, anyone?!

Category: Background | Tags: , , , , , , ,

Happy Birthday, United States Navy

Posted on by

On 13 October 1775, the Continental Congress ordered the creation of the the Continental Navy, which would later become the United States Navy.  In other words, the Navy is older than the Republic itself.

The first ship commissioned was the Alfred, formerly named the Black Prince, thus establishing a long tradition in the U.S. Navy of renaming things to sound sillier than they sounded before.

Ironically, during my ten years of naval service I never set foot on a ship.  But, if you get a chance to tour a US Navy vessel (I have toured the still-active Yellowstone and the legendary Constellation) don’t pass it up.  The tight and efficiently packed interior of a ship, particularly a sailing vessel, is an experience unlike anything you might find on land … although perhaps not recommended for the claustrophobic.

And, if you see a sailor today, wish him a Happy Navy Birthday.

Category: Background | Tags: , , , ,