Welcome to the home of the Pennsylvania State Navy.
The current Navy was incorporated in January, 2000 as a non-profit corporation in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its mission is to educate the public about the
American Revolution, the Pennsylvania State Navy of 1775 to 1781 and the defense of
Philadelphia in the fall of 1777. This is accomplished through living history
reenactments and public  educational programs
at State Parks, museums and historic sites throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New
York.
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The HORNET was purchased by Damian Siekonic in
August of 2000. She is an 18' long Hankins Skiff constructed of cedar plank over
oak. When purchased, she was already restored to modern standards. During the
winter of 2000-2001, the crew stripped all of her fittings and began the
transformation. Cotton canvas sails were made, new oars were purchased and the crew
custom-made the oak cleats & fittings, thole pins, tiller bar and swivel gun
mount. A one pounder swivel gun sits in the bow, and two boarding axes hang inside
under the rail. Her sail rig consists of a jib and a sprit-rigged main, rows four
and is rated for eight men.
In October of 2004 the Navy acquired a second
Hankins Skiff that when restored will serve as a Jolly Boat and tender. Technical
drawings are also being considered for building a 28' armed sloop or galley.
 The
crew man a battery of full-scale 3 pounder cannon on naval carriages. The guns have
been used at Washington Crossing, Fort Mifflin, Fort Adams and Fort Ticonderoga.
They also saw service on board the KALMAR NYCKEL during OpSail2000.
In 2004 the Navy was voted into the Continental Line as the first naval
unit in the organization's history. Summer finds the HORNET sailing the
Delaware Bay, Lake George, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound and Lake Nockamixon as well
as attending a host of 18th century tactical and living history events. |
