Indecipherable Scrawlings

The United States Navy has very humble origins.  Starting with just six frigates; United States, Constellation, Constitution, Congress, Chesapeake, and President.  Even with so few ships there was considerable discussion on their names.

Obviously there was some concern that the United States might go down in flames.  Though no one would be shocked to learn Congress leaked, was rudderless, and was driven by hot air.  But there was also some worry that one day the papers would publish stories on how the President was run down, grappled, taken, and dragged away full of hostile seamen.