South Carolina Navy

A South Carolina Navy has been formed twice by the State of South Carolina. The first time was in 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. The second time was during the American Civil War. Both times, the state's navy was distinct from the larger Continental Navy and the Confederate States Navy.

American Revolutionary War

Commodore Alexander Gillon procured the frigate "South Carolina", which had been originally ordered by the Continental Congress, to head the South Carolina Navy. She participated in the capturing of the Bahamas with the Spanish Fleet. "South Carolina" (previously named L'Indien) was procured from the Chevalier Luxembourg by an agreement that provided that prize money was to be divided between the crew, South Carolina, and the Chevalier Luxembourg. Settling this debt continued to bedevil the courts and the South Carolina General Assembly into the middle of the nineteenth century.

Additionally, the Navy included frigates, "Rattlesnake", "Bricole", 44, and "Truite", 26. The brigs "Notre Dame", 16, and "Comet"; also "General Moultrie", 20. "Bricole", "Truite", "Notre Dame" and "General Moultrie" all participated in the defense of Charleston in early 1780.

American Civil War

Ships included "Lady Davis", which later served in the Confederate States Navy as CSS "Lady Davis"