Shipbuilding in Poughkeepsie spanned more than 100 years and officially began when the Continental Congress authorized construction of the two frigates Congress and Montgomery on Dec. 13, 1775. Fire rafts in 1776, galleys in 1777, and gunboats in 1778 were also built to defend against the British advance up the Hudson River. In subsequent years, sloops, frigates, brigs, steamboats, and other sea river vessels were constructed to meet shipping, whaling, military, and passenger needs.