The USS Essex: and the Birth of the American Navy Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"USS Essex" is a fine piece of naval literature that does a strong job of depicting the very beginnings of the United States Navy while also telling the history of this remarkable ship. The USS Essex was the pride and joy of Salem, Massachusetts. Built in 1799 on the finances of hundreds of `subscriptions' (similar to war bonds) by the local citizenry, the Essex came into existence during a time when the nation as a whole was wary of establishing a government run Naval force. The arguments against its establishment were that a standing Navy was symbol of the oppression and tyranny of aggressor nations like France and Britain. In addition, the expense of maintaining such a force would be stressful on the finances of a fledgling nation that was still trying desperately to pay down its Revolutionary War debts. The points in favor of the establishment of a Navy were that American merchant vessels needed protection from aggressive nations, pirates, and the Barbary States of North Africa while conducting trade while also provided a nautical defense of the U.S.' ample Atlantic coastline. At the time of Essex' construction, state run Naval militias were the accepted form of seafaring force. The Quasi-War with revolutionary France and the ongoing struggles with the Barbary States (to say nothing of the War of 1812) began to show to the U.S. government the wisdom of having a naval force.
Authors Frances Robotti and James Vescovi have exhaustively searched the history of the Essex, its notable captains and crewmembers, while crafting a thesis that powerfully depicts the U.S. Navy's origin and growth from infancy. The first half of "USS Essex" is a bit more of a general Naval history, rather than a record specific to the Essex. The authors', themselves, concede that the Essex never had the notable confrontations of its more famous brethren like the Bon Homme Richard, USS Constellation, or USS Constitution, or even an infamous demise like the USS Philadelphia. The Essex was present for portions of the conflict with the Barbary States and had an occasional run-in with a British warship. It is necessary to take this broader approach before focusing directly on the Essex in order to frame the Essex' role in the evolution of the United States from disrespected rebellious nation to feared world power.
The Essex was home to such famed captains as Edward Preble, William Bainbridge, and the bold and brash David Porter. Prior to the end of its service to the United States, it was also home to midshipman, David Glasgow Farragut, a man who would later go on to become the U.S. Navy's first Admiral and distinguish himself during the Civil War. The authors show how the Essex played an important role in the subduing of the Barbary States. They also demonstrate, with great detail, the Essex' crucial role in wresting sole domination of a Pacific waterways from the British, while under the command of David Porter.
"USS Essex" is a tremendous read due to the fact that, not only does it expertly tell the history of this great ship, it also creates vivid imagery of what Naval battles were like back in that time period. Knowing what it means to `strike the colors', learning the pros and cons of cannons vs. carronades for weaponry, and understanding the unspoken rules of battle and seafaring make this book an invaluable resource for any Navy or history buff. It is also an enlightening read for anyone who is not as well-versed in our country's great Naval traditions.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The USS Essex: and the Birth of the American Navy