Happy 250th Birthday, US Navy

This article first appeared in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News "Nearby History" column on October11, 2025.

By Hayley Noble, Executive Director

Radio school graduates outside the Memorial Gym at the University of Idaho. LCHS Photo: 17-11-022.

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. The first two vessels authorized for purchase by Congress were the Andrew Doria and the Cabot. The Royal Navy was the superior global sea force at the time, and Congress knew that naval warfare was going to be a key aspect in the war to defeat the British. America’s fledgling navy saw some early successes and support from France lead to control of ports, disruption of British logistical channels, protection of American exports, and coastline defense.  

With the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the Revolutionary War was effectively over, and Congress disbanded the Continental Navy in 1785. For almost a decade the United States had no naval presence, which left merchant ships vulnerable to pirates. Congress then passed the Naval Act of 1794, reestablishing the United States Navy as we know it. Since 1972, the US Navy has celebrated its birthday every October 13th and this year we commemorate the 250th anniversary. 

It might surprise some that Idaho has a long history with the US Navy, despite its landlocked boundaries. From Farragut Naval Training Station and submarine testing in Lake Pend Orielle, to the University of Idaho World War II Radio School and ROTC program, to the post-World War II nuclear power development work, to the Sun Valley convalescence hospital - the US Navy has an often-unknown history in this state. But those pieces of history have lasting legacies that can be seen across the Gem State.  

Sailors drill at the University of Idaho during WWII. LCHS Photo: 17-11-026.

All that remains of Farragut Naval Training Station is the Museum at the Brig in Farragut State Park, while the Navy Acoustic Research Detachment is still actively conducting submarine testing. The University of Idaho remains the only Idaho institution offering a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program with the Navy, which began in 1945.   

Women look at WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) recruitment information. LCHS Photo: 30-17-012.

Of course, one also cannot forget the many ships bearing the “USS Idaho” name. The newest of those is the SSN 700 USS Idaho, a submarine due to be commissioned in June 2026. Idaho Public Television aired their Idaho Experience episode titled “Idaho’s Nuclear Navy” in 2024. The episode detailed the history of Idaho’s connection to the Navy and its nuclear testing facility near Idaho Falls, in use from 1955 to 1995. The prototypes trained Navy personnel before deployment onto nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships. The facility still exists but is now operated by contractors to dispose of naval spent fuel.  

Idaho Public Television once again features Idaho and the US Navy in their new documentary, America’s Sagebrush Navy. Idaho Public Television, the USS Idaho Commissioning Committee and the Idaho State Historical Society are bringing the documentary to Moscow. The “Anchors of Freedom: Celebrating America 250 and America’s Sagebrush Navy” event includes the documentary screening, segments from Ken Burns’ forthcoming documentary series, The American Revolution, and a celebration of journalism with a KUID 60th Anniversary feature and panel. The Latah County Historical Society will also have a pop-up exhibit with a few Navy items on display. The program is on Monday, October 13th at 6:30 pm at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre. America's Sagebrush Navy will be airing on Idaho Public Television later this year.