American Navy Captains 1776

List of Captains in the Continental Navy in Order of Their Seniority as Established by Congress, October 10, 1776
    Number Captain Ship
    1 James Nicholson frigate Virginia
    2 John Manley frigate Hancock
    3 Hector McNeill frigate Boston
    4 Dudley Saltonstall frigate Trumbull
    5 Nicholas Biddle frigate Randolph
    6 Thomas Thompson frigate Raleigh
    7 John Barry frigate Effingham
    8 Thomas Read frigate Washington
    9 Thomas Grinnell frigate Congress
    10 Charles Alexander frigate Delaware
    11 Lambert Wickes sloop Reprisal
    12 Abraham Whipple frigate Providence
    13 John B. Hopkins frigate Warren
    14 John Hodge frigate Montgomery
    15 William Hallock brig Lexington
    16 Hoysted Hacker brig Hampden
    17 Isiah Robinson brig Andrew Doria
    18 John Paul Jones* sloop Providence
    19 James Josiah no ship assigned
    20 Elisha Hinman ship Alfred
    21 Joseph Olney brig Cabot
    22 James Robinson sloop Sachem
    23 John Young sloop Independence
    24 Elisha Warner schooner Fly

*December 7, 1775 Jones received his commission as first lieutenant.  With his skill and daring he was appointed to the rank of acting Captain and received a regular commission on August 8, 1776.  When reassigned from the Alfred to the Providence, his commission was reissued now dated October 10, 1776 placing him down the seniority list.  Jones and his supporters bitterly complained to no avail.