It was evident well before then. A permanent US Navy was created to protect trade routes from Barbary pirates. The Barbary threat led directly to the creation

It was evident well before then. A permanent US Navy was created to protect trade routes from Barbary pirates. The Barbary threat led directly to the creation of the United States Navy in March 1794 [1] [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates