On Oct. 13, 1775, while at war with England, the original 13 American colonies authorized the purchase of two ships, Andrew Doria and Cabot, which was the start of what is now known as the United States Navy. These two ships were funded by congress to seek out and capture British merchant boats that were supplying the English military. Today, we celebrate the 240-year history of the U.S. Navy with the following cool images in Hawaii.

This photo was taken on June 19, 1945 at a War Bond Rally in the Hawaiian Armory.

On the bottom row, far right, is legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.

To avoid being drafted by the Army, Coltrane enlisted in the Navy and served for a year.

Photo: U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii

The "top guns" of the U.S. Navy are arguably the Blue Angels.

They are the Navy's flight demonstration squadron and were formed in 1946.

These F/A18-Hornets will be performing at the Kaneohe Bay air show

this weekend (Oct. 17-18, 2015) on Oahu.

Photo: David Croxford

U.S. Navy Curtiss SOC-1 Seagulls fly over Honolulu circa 1940 right before World War II.

Photo: U.S. Navy National Museum of Navial Aviation

The USS Hawaii is a Virgnia-class attack submarine.

It is the first Navy submarine to carry the name of the Aloha State.

Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd class Meagan Klein