Joshua Humphreys
Joshua Humphreys (June 17, 1751 – January 12, 1838) was an American ship builder and naval architect. He was the constructor of the original six frigates of the United States Navy and is known as the "Father of the American Navy".[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Preparation_for_War_to_defend_Commerce_Birch%27s_Views_Plate_29.jpg/200px-Preparation_for_War_to_defend_Commerce_Birch%27s_Views_Plate_29.jpg)
Humphreys was born in
Career
As a youth, Humphreys was apprenticed to a shipbuilder in
In postwar Philadelphia, Humphreys became a shipbuilder in Philadelphia and was one of the most sought after and busiest. His main shipyard complex was on the Delaware River in the Southwark neighborhood.[5]
When Congress passed the Naval Act of 1794 providing for the construction of six frigates, it called on him to design them. He was appointed naval constructor on June 28, 1794, and began work on these ships, the beginnings of the U.S. Navy.
Reputedly, one of the inspirations for his
![A painting depicting Constitution at sail. The bow of the ship points to the right of the frame](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Constitution1803.jpg/220px-Constitution1803.jpg)
The USS United States was built by Humphreys in Philadelphia, and was the first of the new ships to be launched on May 10, 1797. These vessels were larger than other ships of their class and formed the core of the Navy during the War of 1812, and scored several victories against British ships, although two were captured. His six frigates were:
- USS United States (1797)
- USS Constellation (1797)
- USS Constitution (1797)
- USS Chesapeake (1799)
- USS Congress (1799)
- USS President (1800)
In 1789, Humphreys was elected to the American Philosophical Society.[7]
Family
His uncle was Charles Humphreys, a member of the Continental Congress. His son was another noted naval architect, Samuel Humphreys. His grandson, General Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, served throughout the American Civil War.
Legacy
Two ships, USS Humphreys (DD-236) and USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO-188), were named for Humphreys.
Building 197 of the Washington Navy Yard was completely renovated in 2014 and renamed in honor of Humphreys.[8] The building was the site of the Washington Navy Yard shooting on September 16, 2013.[9]
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- ^ Proceedings of the Delaware County Historical Society, Volume 1. Chester, Pennsylvania: Delaware County Historical Society. 1902. p. 67. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "Humphreys". Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ Proceedings of the Delaware County Historical Society, Volume 1. Chester, Pennsylvania: Delaware County Historical Society. 1902. p. 66. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-61251-348-5. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-393-05847-5. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Joshua Humphreys". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Joshua Humphreys". American Philosophical Society Member History. American Philosophical Society. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ Wick, Joshua L. "NAVSEA Dedicates Building to Historic Shipbuilder". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "4 killed, 8 injured in a shooting at Washington Navy Yard". Washington Times. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
External links
- USS Constitution Rehabilitation And Restoration
- The Joshua Humphreys Papers, including financial records, hand-drawn diagrams, correspondence and other family documents, are available for research use at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.