John Adams and the Birth of the U. S. Navy

Many of the issues that confronted John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, both of them prominent admiralty lawyers in the 18th Century, remain relevant today; particularly of interest is the training for seafarers in times of peace and war. America’s fate in our War of Independence was to a large degree determined by its fortunate coastal geography, which made Mr. Adams’ famous frigates particularly effective against the Royal Navy, and Mr. Maitland will briefly describe how important that became during the closing year of the war.

Clay Maitland

Clay Maitland has practiced admiralty law in New York since 1968; a history major at Columbia College (1960-1964), he has written from time to time on maritime history, including that of the United States Navy. He has received an honorary degree (LLB) from the State University of New York, also in New York City, and been decorated with the Humane Order of African Redemption by the Republic of Liberia, as well as the Meritorious Service medal by the United States Coast Guard. His vlog “Conversations with Clay” (https://www.maritimetv.com/Featured-Content/Series/Conversations-With-Clay) deals with maritime history as well as shipping industry developments in the present age.