Who was the first commander in chief of the continental navy?

Esek Hopkins (1718-1802), first commander of the American Navy, was a Revolutionary patriot whose abilities were not equal to his important task. A call from the Continental Congress, where his brother was chairman of the naval committee, induced him to accept the command (Dec. 22, 1775) of the first Continental fleet. When H. M. S. Diamond ran aground on the Rhode Island coast and the sluggish Commodore Hopkins lost this excellent chance to destroy it, the officers of his own flag-ship petitioned the Marine Committee to remove him from office. Hopkins had already been indiscrete in criticizing both Congress and some of his subordinates. Therefore Congress in March 1777 suspended Hopkins and soon afterward dismissed him from the Navy.

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13 Comments

Tom Knox

At first I thought this question was incorrect, because it asks for the commander in chief, which most Americans know is the president of the United States. However, the key is "continental" navy, which means this was prior to the United States being a sovereign nation and still thirteen colonies fighting for their independence. Great question.

Joanne Serin

Jeff Hughes, right!

Joanne Serin

Irma Rivera, I knew it wasn't GW, who was commander of the Continental Army.

Irma Rivera, me too.

Char

Bridy4u , oh yeah thank you

Char

Barbara Westgate, I thought it was Washington

Jaimi McEntire

Jeff Hughes, The office of President of the US wasn't even created until 1788. We had a navy before then - do you think they didn't have a commander?

Jeff Hughes

The only person who could be commander in chief was the president, and Washington is the only one of those on the list. Actually, that title is established in the Constitution so even Washington was not commander in chief during the war. Just using the explanation provided, Hopkins was the first commander of the Navy, but apparently ignorance has ruled the day once again.

Jas Newman

Larry Jones, I believe CNO is Chief od Naval Operations. Also, active-duty military officers have held the title CinC. I once served on the staff of CinC/Allied Forces South.

George Oliver Prince

Couple of our folks have already explained the fallacy of commander in chief

Darlene Yarbrough

WOW, THAT WAS a GOOD guess.lol.

Larry Jones

Susan McInnis Paradis, the President is Commander in Chief of ALL the Armed Forces. The chief of the Navy today is called the CNO, chief naval officer. The other services call their chiefs "chief of staff."