CUBMASTER: The colonial Navy was born in 1632 when the English Colonists of Massachusetts built the first American warship, the 30 long ton Blessing of the Bay. They used it to fight pirates off the Atlantic Coast. By the late 1700s, the colonists have built hundreds of ships including privateers, or privately owned war vessels. Onboard all these vessels, the flag of the original colonies, and now, in recent times, the flag of the United States waves proudly in the sea breezes. Long may she wave. This evening Den ___ Will retire the colors for us.