Massachusetts Naval Militia

Massachusetts Naval Militia
Active1775–1783
1812–1815
1898
AllegianceProvince of Massachusetts Bay
United States of America
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
RoleNaval Forces, Coast Guard
Motto(s)"An Appeal to Heaven"
EngagementsAmerican Revolutionary War 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.

  1. ^ "10 U.S. CODE § 7851 - COMPOSITION". law.cornell.edu/. Retrieved 3 September 2015.