Navy’s birthplace disputed: Five towns lay claim

BOSTON — Five communities are claiming to be the birthplace of the U.S. Navy, but resolution of the debate may soon be coming.

U. S. Archivist David Ferriero is headed to the USS Constitution Museum in Boston on Wednesday, the U.S. Navy’s 235th birthday.

He’ll bring documents detailing the claims of each of the communities: Marblehead and Beverly, Mass.; Philadelphia; Providence, R.I.; and Whitehall, N.Y.

Ferriero plans to present the documents for public view, and says he may make a ruling on the true birthplace of the Navy.

His objectivity may be a bit in question, though. Ferriero is a native of Beverly.

But Ferriero says his true purpose isn’t to settle the good-natured debate. He says he wants to educate people about the archives and the stories they can tell.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The new Crucible Brewing owners Johanna Watson-Andresen and Erik Andresen inside the south Everett brewery on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
South Everett brewery, set to close, finds lifeline in new owners

The husband and wife who bought Crucible Brewing went on some of their first dates there.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo council passes budget with deficit, hopes for new revenue

Proponents said safeguards were in place to make future changes. Detractors called it “irresponsible.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Lane Scott Phipps depicted with an AK-47 tattoo going down the side of his face. (Snohomish County Superior Court)
Man gets 28 years in Lynnwood kidnapping case

Prosecutors also alleged Lane Phipps shot at police officers, but a jury found him not guilty of first-degree assault charges.

The sun sets beyond the the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library as a person returns some books on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘A brutal hit’: Everett library cuts will lead to reduced hours, staffing

The cuts come as the city plans to reduce the library’s budget by 12% in 2025.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Public damage costs from bomb cyclone near $20M in Snohomish County

The damage price tag is the first step toward getting federal relief dollars.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman answers question from the Edmonds City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents urge city to reconsider fire annexation

The City Council met Tuesday to review a pre-annexation plan with South County Fire and held a public hearing.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Mukilteo police investigate online threat at Kamiak High

Authorities believe other schools around the state may have received similar threats.

x
Off-duty Edmonds officer accused of pointing gun at fellow driver

Melinda Leen was arrested Monday for investigation of second-degree assault. She has since been released from custody.

Robert DeLaurentis, a general aviation pilot known as the “Zen Pilot,” survived a crash Monday in Spokane. (Provided photo via Whidbey News-Times)
Whidbey pilot uninjured in Spokane crash

Oak Harbor airport owner Robert DeLaurentis was preparing to land Monday, but the throttle wasn’t working.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.