The Daily Maine Fact

On this date in 1776, the keel of the frigate Raleigh was laid at a shipyard on Badger's Island, in the Piscataqua River at Kittery.

Launched on May 21, it was the first ship built for the American navy at what would become the first U.S. naval shipyard, now known as Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

(Source: "Maine Navy Yard At Kittery First Established In The Country," staff report, Portland Sunday Telegram & Sunday Press Herald, Aug. 16, 1925. Portland: Evening Express Publishing Company)