he very day Congress had resolved to fit out two
armed cruisers, one of fourteen guns and one of ten guns, the first act
founding a Continental naval force for the United Colonies.

The Marine Committee, under the authority of this Resolve of the
Continental Congress, purchased two vessels and named one the
"Lexington," the other the "Reprisal."

To the "Lexington" John Barry was commissioned Captain on December 7,
1775. Captain Wickes was the same day named Commander of the "Reprisal."

Barry's vessel the "Black Prince," the finest vessel engaged in the
Colonial commerce, was purchased by the Marine Committee, renamed the
"Alfred," after Alfred the Great, the founder of the English Navy. To
the "Alfred" John Paul Jones was appointed Lieutenant under Captain
Salstonstall, on the same day Barry and Wickes were appointed Captains.

The "Lexington" and the "Reprisal" were separate and independent
commands under direct orders of the Marine Committee and not subject to,
nor were they part of, the fleet under Commodore Hopkins. Captain John
Barry was thus the first Commander appointed under the direct authority
of the Continental Congress. He was appointed to the first Continental
armed cruiser--the "Lexington"--named after the first battle place of
the Revolution. It was the first vessel fitted out under Continental
authority by the Marine Committee and "in the nature of things was more
readily equipped" than the "Alfred," says Cooper's _History of the
Navy_. This was especially so as Willing & Morris, Captain Barry's late
employers, alone had a stock of "round shot for four pounders, under
their store in Penn Street and in their yard." These were readily
available to Captain Barry of the "Lexington."

When Barry's cruiser was ready for sea the severity of the weather in
blocking the Delaware with ice debarred its passage to the Bay and out
into the Ocean. In the meanwhile Barry was busily employed on shore duty
and in assisting in preparing the fleet of Commodore Hopkins for its
departure on February 17, 1776, on its expedition to the Southward. This
fleet was intended for the protection of American vessels off the coast
of Virginia, but it proceeded to the Bahama Islands. On St. Patrick's
Day, 1776, Hopkins sailed from New Providence bringing the Governor and
others as hostages as well as securing military stores and ammunition.
Washington on the same day was entering the City of Boston on its forced
evacuation by the