What did Congress decide regarding naval forces at the beginning of the Revolutionary War?

At the onset of the Revolutionary War, Congress faced significant challenges regarding the establishment of a formal navy. The decision not to form a Navy due to high costs stemmed from a combination of financial constraints and the prevailing belief that a strong navy was not immediately necessary. The Continental Congress recognized the economic burden that a standing navy would impose, especially against the backdrop of limited resources and the prioritization of funding for the Continental Army.

As a result, Congress opted to leverage privateers—privately owned armed ships authorized to conduct raids against enemy shipping—as a means to disrupt British maritime operations. This strategy allowed for naval engagements without the financial strain of creating and maintaining a traditional navy, while still enabling American forces to assert their presence at sea. Consequently, the reliance on privateers served as an interim solution until Congress could reevaluate and potentially move toward a more formal naval structure as the war progressed and resources became more available.