What would a real early 18th century/19th century U.S navy look ike?

[deathscompanion1]

For the most part of it's history the US navy was one of the weakest in the Americas for long time this was more down to choice than lack of resources.

So if the US navy was built up to be a proper regional force at least capable of defending itself what would it look like?

How many ships, what type and what effects would this have?

 

[Axeman]

Real early 18th century American Navy?

I imagine it would look British.

 

[asupackman]

And with the early 19th century we actually had some of the most advanced warships, we just only had a handfull and didnt maintain them after the first few years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_six_frigates_of_the_United_States_Navy

 

[imperialaquila]

The main point of this navy would be to protect US shipping against British interdiction, raiding British shipping, and preventing a British landing on US soil. I'm assuming that Britain is the intended foe for this navy, given that it's the only power with power-projection abilities in this period that might have an interest in the US.

It would probably be essentially a larger force of OTL's frigates, which were very good ships, just not maintained enough or in large enough numbers. There may be a small battlefleet of ships of the line if the US is really investing in the navy, but given the disparity of power between the US and the UK there isn't much point. It's more cost-effective to just build lots of raiders to stretch the British thin and make it difficult to regularly supply any land forces they have in North America.