USS Constitution & Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Guide

Red-headed Charles Stewart, born 28 July 1778, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was one of the United States Navy’s most decorated officers. As a young man at the age of thirteen, he filled the position of cabin boy in the merchant service, working through the ranks becoming a master merchantman. On 9 March 1798, he became a commissioned lieutenant serving in United States, 44, and commanded Enterprise, 12. During the Mediterranean Squadron (1803-1804), Stewart was second in command to Preble and awarded a congressional sword for his participation. In 1806, he achieved his captaincy but decided to continue his career in the merchant service.

In 1785, just two years after the end of the Revolutionary war, the last Continental Navy warship, the Alliance, had been sold off to help pay off America’s war debts. The new nation was left with the second largest merchant fleet in the world with no navy to protect them. It was not long after we gained our independence that we faced a new threat.

In 1785, just two years after the end of the Revolutionary war, the last Continental Navy warship, the Alliance, had been sold off to help pay off America’s war debts. The new nation was left with the second largest merchant fleet in the world with no navy to protect them. It was not long after we gained our independence that we faced a new threat.