21 Facts About Thomas Truxtun

Commodore Thomas Truxtun was a United States Navy officer and politician.

Thomas Truxtun was one of the first six commanders appointed to the new US Navy by President George Washington.

Thomas Truxtun was born near Hempstead, Province of New York on Long Island, the only son of an English-born lawyer.

Thomas Truxtun lost his father at a young age and was taken to Jamaica on Long Island with relatives and placed under the care of a close friend, John Troup.

Thomas Truxtun then operated as a US privateer during the American Revolutionary War, commanding several ships: Congress, Independence, Mars, and St James.

Thomas Truxtun captured several British ships during the conflict, and was never once defeated himself.

Thomas Truxtun was the author of a treatise on longitude and latitude, of a "System of masting a 44-gun frigate," and was an advocate for the foundation of a national navy.

In 1794 and the war with France looming, Thomas Truxtun was one of the first six captains appointed by President Washington in the newly formed US Navy.

Thomas Truxtun was the last of the original six frigates launched.

Thomas Truxtun conducted routine patrols during the latter part of the Quasi-War and recaptured several American merchant ships; however, her overall service in this period was uneventful.

Thomas Truxtun returned to the United States in March after a peace treaty with France was ratified on 3 February 1801.

Thomas Truxtun took command of President for a few months in 1800.

Thomas Truxtun retired from the Navy and located first in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and later in Philadelphia.

Thomas Truxtun was ordered to take command of USS Chesapeake on 12 January, 1802 by the Secretary of the Navy.

Thomas Truxtun proposed that he should be squadron commander of the new squadron leaving for the Mediterranean, or he should leave the service, in a letter to Secretary of the Navy dated 3 March, 1802.

Thomas Truxtun had a thorough understanding of the art of celestial navigation and was one among few men of his day who possessed such intimate knowledge of this navigational art.

Thomas Truxtun designed the original Navy signal manual and wrote the predecessor to the Navy Regulations in use today.

Thomas Truxtun ran an unsuccessful campaign for the United States House of Representatives in 1810.

Thomas Truxtun published several books, well known at the time, covering navigation, and naval tactics.

Thomas Truxtun died in Philadelphia on 5 May 1822 and is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground.

Thomas Truxtun was the grandfather of American historian Mary Henderson Eastman.