South Carolina Navy

The South Carolina State Navy was the state navy of South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. It was founded in July 1775 as a means to attack British ships and colonies for the purpose of acquiring military supplies. Patriot authorities in South Carolina acquired several merchantmen and converted them into warships, along with purchasing the Paul Pritchard Shipyard and establishing admiralty courts and a board of naval commissioners. The most prominent engagement the state navy fought in was the siege of Charleston, which was a crushing defeat for the navy. The South Carolina State Navy was disbanded in 1783 when its last ships were sold.