Explore by State
Historic Site

Site of the First Colonial Navy

Marker that stands in remembrance of the creation of the first colonial navy

  • Parking
  • Accessible Parking
Rhode Island
125 Main Street East Greenwich, RI 02818
Share
East Greenwich, RI

On June 12, 1775, the General Assembly for the state of Rhode Island met on this site and enacted a resolution to charter and arm two sloops for the protection of trade and appointed Abraham Whipple to be commander with the rank and power of commodore of both vessels, thus creating the First Colonial Navy of the Revolution. On June 15, 1775, the sloop Katy participated in the first naval battle of the Revolution off Jamestown, RI, and was renamed the Providence; this ship became the first vessel authorized for the Continental Navy, the first to land Marines in battle, and the first command of John Paul Jones. 

What's Nearby

Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.

0
Site of the First Colonial Navy
Historic Site
Colonial Home of General James Mitchell Varnum
Varnum House

East Greenwich, RI 02818

Former home of General James Mitchell Varnum

0.092935692758411
James Mitchell Varnum House, East Greenwich, RI
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
A small white historic building with four columns and green shutters stands at a roadside; the sign above the door reads “Kentish Guards 1774.”
Kentish Guards Armory

East Greenwich, RI 02818

Former armory and drill field of the Kentish Guard

0.11592894381772
Kentish Guards Armory and Drill Field
Historic Site
|
Museum
A small fortress like brick building sits on a street corner, with arched wooden doors, battlements, and a nearby cannon.
Varnum Armory Museum

East Greenwich, RI 02818

Museum with artifacts dating to the 16th century

0.21851936242484
Varnum Armory Museum
8.5660195616948
The Major General Nathanael Greene Homestead
Historic Site
|
Marker
Bronze marker on boulder to commemorate spot of the burning of the Gaspee
Gaspee Monument

Warwick, RI 02888

Site of the capture of the British crew of the Gaspee

12.377172660316
Gaspee Monument
14.291374768452
General Lafayette Marker, Bristol, Rhode Island (RI-3)
15.767715639201
Gilbert Stuart Birthplace
Battlefield
|
State/County Park
Print of the Battle of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island

Portsmouth, RI 02871

First Franco-American operation of the Revolution

17.314051747384
Rhode Island
Historic Site
|
Marker
Granite monument/structure in remembrance of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
1st Rhode Island Monument

Portsmouth, RI 02871

Monument dedicated to the men of the 1st Rhode Island

17.341165103909
1st Rhode Island Regiment Monument
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
Early 20th century postcard depicting Butts Hill Fort in Rhode Island
Butts Hill Fort

Portsmouth, RI 02871

Franco-American defensive position in Rhode Island

17.410697185027
Butts Hill Fort
17.987147310274
Prescott's Headquarters
18.050923105981
Portsmouth Friends Meeting House
Historic Site
|
Museum
A large brick building with white trim and classical details stands behind a tall white fence, framed by autumn trees under a partly cloudy sky.
John Brown House

Providence, RI 02906

Former home of the founder of Brown University

18.317221949815
John Brown House
Historic Site
Red facade of the Stephen Hopkins House in Rhode Island
Hopkins House

Providence, RI 02903

Former home of Stephen Hopkins

18.489587243858
Governor Stephen Hopkins House
Historic Site
A three‑story brick brownstone building with symmetrical windows and a central stone‑framed entrance stands behind a black streetlamp.
Old State House

Providence, RI 02903

Colonial-Era state house of Rhode Island

18.88846471692
Old State House
Historic Site
World War 1 Memorial Tower at Motonomi Memorial Park
Miantonomi Hill

Newport, RI 02840

Tactical position during the Battle of Rhode Island

20.427077680736
Miantonomi Hill
20.558044862267
General Lafayette Marker, Tiverton, Rhode Island (RI-8)
20.573585668741
Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamiton
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
Fort Barton in Tiverton, Rhode Island
Fort Barton

02878

Fort named for Lt. Col. William Barton

20.594994776600
Fort Barton
20.615804502406
Conanicut Battery, Jamestown, RI
Historic Site
|
Historic House
Front of the Hunter House in Rhode Island
Hunter House

Newport, RI 02840

Former HQ of the French fleet in North America

21.715157391399
Hunter House
Historic Site
|
Fort/Outpost
Stone marker denoting the location of Green End Fort
Green End Fort

Middletown, RI 02842

French defensive position in Rhode Island

21.905984553062
Green End Fort
Historic Site
|
Marker
A large boulder with a bronze plaque attached commemorating the burning of British ships.
Equality Park

Newport, RI 02840

Marker describing the destruction of the HMS Liberty

22.010321643571
Equality Park
Historic Site
|
Historic House
A grassy yard filled with blooming yellow daffodils stretches across the foreground. Behind the flowers stands a large historic red building with white trim, multiple windows, and a small columned portico at the main entrance.
White Horse Tavern

Newport, RI 02840

Tavern that hosted British and Loyalist troops

22.124430811777
White Horse Tavern
22.347073924875
Artillery Company of Newport Museum
Historic Site
A beige building with brown trim and a columned portico stands behind a garden of bright flowers and neatly trimmed shrubs, bordered by a wrought‑iron fence and stone posts.
Touro Synagogue

Newport, RI 02840

Only purpose-built synagogue to survive the Rev War

22.410367933715
Touro Synagogue
Historic Site
|
Historic House
A light‑colored historic building with dark shutters and a central double‑door entrance sits on a corner lot, featuring three dormer windows on the roof and a short staircase leading up from the sidewalk.
Vernon House

Newport, RI 02840

1780 headquarters of the Comte de Rochambeau

22.419201888724
Vernon House
Historic Site
Redwood Library

Newport, RI 02840

America's first purpose-built library

22.817276720521
Redwood Library