Stoddert, Benjamin (1751-1813), was the first secretary of the Navy of the United States. He directed naval operations from 1798 to 1801, while the nation fought an undeclared war against France. Stoddert built the Navy up to some 50 vessels and 6,000 sailors. He purchased navy yard sites and began construction of shore facilities at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Charlestown, Massachusetts; Brooklyn (now part of New York City); Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; and Gosport, Virginia. Stoddert, born in Charles County, Maryland, was a merchant shipper.
