“Whoever commands the sea, commands the trade, whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently, the world itself.”
- Sir Walter Raleigh
In 1607, American Indians stood on the shores of what is now Virginia and stared in awe at what they called, “floating islands.” Those were, in fact, comparatively small European ships visiting the “New World.” Named the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, the ships dwarfed the rudimentary canoes of the native inhabitants. They carried 144 people to settle what would become America’s first permanent colony called Jamestown – named after King James I....
The size and power of those English ships were daunting to the natives. Decades earlier, that same feeling of dread came over Europeans who saw the commanding ships of the Spanish Armada. Up until 1588, it was Spain and Portugal that ruled the waters off the coast of Europe.
Around 1500, countless Spanish galleons sailed to the eastern shores of Mexico and South America to plunder the vast stores of silver and gold in the region. Sailors and soldiers disembarked their massive transports to raid those villages.
Dominant Spanish naval rule ended when the British built faster ships with more accurate artillery. The English guns could be more quickly reloaded and fired from a greater distance. With that advantage in its vast fleet of war ships, by the early 1700s, Great Britain established itself as the dominant naval world power. England’s dominance ended after the United States was formed in 1776. The US Navy became the prevailing world naval power – a position it has held ever since.
The legacy of the US Navy is well known. From John Paul Jones declaring in a 1779 naval battle, “I have not yet begun to fight,” to Admiral David Farragut demanding his fleet breach the defenses of Mobile Bay during the Civil War with the words, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead,” the Navy has a legacy of heroic and significant figures.
Unquestionably, the most notable naval feats in modern times were seen in World War II. After the Pacific Fleet was attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, naval enlistments skyrocketed. So too did America’s commitment to building the world’s most formidable navy. Civilian workers worked night and day to build a vast fleet. American victories at Midway and the Battle of Leyte Gulf cemented the essential need for a prevailing naval presence in any significant conflict.
If history has taught us anything it is that the dominance of a fleet, be it the Greeks and Egyptians to the Portuguese, Spanish or British, has been, well, fleeting. Today, the greatest threat to US naval supremacy comes from China. Their naval power has exploded from 266 ships in 2010 to 340 today. Their stated goal is to have 460 in just seven years.
While China grows its fleet, the US Navy hopes for more funding to expand its technological dominance in surface ships, submarines and fighter jets. For the record, though the US Air Force may eclipse all other military branches in the number of general aircraft, the Navy boasts over 1,000 strike fighter jets. For now, the US Navy still rules the seas and the air over the water.
In the past century, many stamps and coins have been issued to honor naval battles, heroes and the ships on which they sail. The image of ships on coins dates back to ancient times and have long been a favorite of collectors.
This month, a new one-ounce medal struck in solid silver has been released by the US Mint saluting the legacy of the US Navy. On the front, the medal depicts a modern destroyer plowing through the waves. In the background a vintage naval frigate from the 1700s is under sail. In the sky, four navy fighter jets are seen with contrails behind them. In the medal’s field next to the two ships are the words “Don't give up the ship!” uttered by American naval officer James Lawrence, Captain of the USS Chesapeake, during the War of 1812. The reverse shows a phalanx of male and female sailors standing at attention.
The one-ounce medal joins four other silver issues being released to commemorate the Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force and Air Force. Ideal for any current or former naval personnel or military history buffs, the cost is $75 and is available directly from the Mint at www.USMint.gov.
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