A History of the Navy in 100 Objects

As long as there have been politicians in the United States, there have been political cartoonists to criticize them. Many today say the bitter political climate in Washington is unprecedented, but perhaps that is not the entirely the case. Today's object is a print from the Beverley R. Robinson Collection. 150 years ago, a debate over the naval acquisition process raged in Washington, and cartoonists picked up their pens to document it. Curator Rob Doane takes us through this particular print's history, and the narrative of what was then a fierce political debate.

Often when telling a story, it's best to start at the beginning. In our case, although the United States Navy didn't begin with John Paul Jones, he is nevertheless considered the Father of the American Navy. Born in England, he cut his teeth as a sailor in merchant fleets, before coming to the United States. When war broke out, he joined the fight on the side of the upstart colonies, and won fame for his daring raid on English soil and his victories over British ships. After the war, he accepted a position as an admiral in the Russian navy. After a short time, he returned to Paris in poor health, and died shortly after in 1792. In the tumultuous days of the French Revolution, Jones' grave was lost and it wasn't until 1905 that it was rediscovered. After discovery, and with great ceremony, his remains were transported across the Atlantic. After several years were finally interred in the crypt underneath the iconic Naval Academy Chapel, where they remain today. This is the story of Jones in life, and in death.