Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy"A fluent, intelligent history...give[s] the reader a feel for the human quirks and harsh demands of life at sea."—New York Times Book Review Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The founders—particularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adams—debated fiercely. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.From the decision to build six heavy frigates, through the cliff-hanger campaign against Tripoli, to the war that shook the world in 1812, Ian W. Toll tells this grand tale with the political insight of Founding Brothers and the narrative flair of Patrick O'Brian. |
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Admiral American ships anchor armed attack August Barron blockade boats Boston British broadside Captain Edward Preble captured Chesapeake Chesapeake’s coast command Commodore Congress Constellation Constitution Constitution’s crew cruise deck duel enemy England English Federalists fire fired first five flag flagship fleet force France French frigate frigate’s Gallatin Guerriere gunboats guns Hamilton harbor honor Hull Isaac Hull Island James Jefferson John Adams John Rodgers Joshua Humphreys Josiah Fox June later letter Lieutenant Lynnhaven Bay Madison March marine maritime masts Mediterranean merchant Midshipman nation Naval Chronicle Norfolk North Office officers ordered peace Philadelphia port President President’s prisoners privateers Quasi War quoted in ibid Republicans rigging river Royal Navy sail sailors Samuel Barron seamen seaports Secretary ship’s shore shot Smith spars squadron Stephen Decatur Stoddert Thomas Truxtun told treaty Tripoli Tripolitan Truxtun United vessels warships Washington William Bainbridge wind wounded wrote York