History

A Brief History of the Conch Navy

Immediately following the formation of the Conch Republic, the Conch Republic Navy was created by Captain John Kraus when his Schooner WESTERN UNION spontaneously attacked the US Coast Guard Cutter DILIGENCE with water balloons, Conch fritters and stale Cuban bread in Key West Harbor on April 23rd, 1982. The Diligence responded with her fire hoses, resulting in the Great Battle of the Conch Republic.

Captain Bill Wickers was appointed Secretary of the Conch Republic Navy and Monroe County Mayor Wilhelmina Harvey was appointed Admiral and First Sea Lord.

In November of 1984 the newly built Schooner WOLF, commanded and owned by Captain Finbar Gittelman, arrived in Key West and in April of 1985 the WOLF led the fleet in the re-enactment of the Great Battle. While celebrating the victory, Admiral Harvey commissioned the WOLF as the new flagship and appointed Finbar as Flag Captain. Several years later Finbar was promoted to Rear Admiral, Fleet Commander and Second Sea Lord.

Upon the passing of Admiral Harvey in 2005, Finbar was promoted to Admiral and First Sea Lord and Captain Reef Perkins, King of the Key West wreckers, was appointed Vice Admiral and Second Sea Lord. Today, the CRN is led by Second Sea Lord Admiral Frank Holden and Third Sea Lord Vice Admiral, Bill Grosscup and others dedicated to serving their tiny island nation.

With the support of the Coast Guard Group Key West, the CR Air Force, the CR Army, the CR Coast Guard, the Office of the Secretary General and Schooner Wharf Bar, the re-enactment of the colorful Great Sea Battle is held each April in Key West Harbor (usually the last Friday of the month) in conjunction with the Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration.

The Navy High Command presides over the strategy for this “Great Sea Battle” that has brought victory to the Conch Republic each year. A true food fight at sea, the battle is fought each year against the invading Federal Ships (represented by vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard.)

Each year, after the Victory Celebration held at Schooner Wharf Bar, Admiral Finbar ceremoniously accepts surrender from the invader’s Commander and then graciously invites the Federal invaders to join in the celebration of the victory!

Featured on the Discovery Channel and the Travel Channel, citizens of the Conch Republic don their battle gear for this exciting adventure at sea that pits Tall Ships against Coast Guard Cutters for the biggest & baddest sea battle held annually anywhere in the world!

Today the Conch Republic boasts the world’s last all privateer, mainly sail propelled navy. In addition to the Flagships WOLF and WESTERN Union, other vessels which have served under the Conch Republic battle flag include the schooners APPLEDORE, LIBERTY and REEF CHIEF, and the former Navy PT Boat 728.

The USCGC EAGLE has also been commissioned into the CRN, as has Brazil’s CISNE BRANCO, MEKA II, JOLLY II ROVER, HINDU and GRAND NELLIE and others. The USCG Cutter INGHAM serves as Flagship of the Conch Republic Naval Reserve Fleet. The CRN Is always looking for able bodied sailors. Join Today!