Massachusetts Naval Militia

Massachusetts Naval Militia
Pine Tree Flag
Active	1775–1783 1812–1815 1898
Allegiance	Province of Massachusetts Bay United States of America Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Role	Naval Forces, Coast Guard
Motto(s)	"An Appeal to Heaven"
Engagements	American Revolutionary War Battle of Machias Raid on St. John Penobscot Expedition War of 1812 Spanish–American War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Jeremiah O'Brien John Foster Williams Jonathan Haraden George Little

The Massachusetts Naval Militia (at first called the Massachusetts Colonial Navy and later the Massachusetts State Navy), was a naval militia active during the American Revolutionary War. It was founded December 29, 1775, to defend the interests of Massachusetts during the war.

The flotilla utilized 25 vessels over the course of the war, acting in various roles such as prison ships, dispatch vessels, and combat cruisers. Its most infamous engagement was the 1779 Penobscot Expedition, in which not only all of its vessels were destroyed, but also those of privateers hired to assist in the expedition.

It was later activated for the War of 1812 and the Spanish–American War.

As under 10 U.S. Code §7851^[1] naval militias form part of the United States organized militia and therefore are considered as such, any action to reactivate one of the nation's historic naval militia forces falls either on the Governor of Massachusetts or by legislative action of the chambers of the Massachusetts General Court.