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This Day In Naval History: March 31
1854 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry and Japanese officials sign the Treaty of Kanagawa, opening trade between U.S. and Japan. The treaty also provided protection for American merchant seamen wrecked in Japanese waters. 1917 - Rear Adm. James H. Oliver takes possession of the Danish West Indies for the United States, and they are renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also becomes the first governor of the islands under American control.
This Day In Naval History: March 30
1944 - Task Force 58 begins bombing of Japanese airfields, shipping, fleet servicing facilities, and other installations at Palau, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai in the Carolines. 1944 - USS Darter (SS 227) sinks a Japanese army cargo ship near New Guinea, despite the presence of an escort vessel. Also on this date, USS Picuda (SS 382) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks a transport ship near Guam while USS Stingray (SS 186) sinks a transport ship near Saipan.
This Day In Naval History: March 24
1898 - The battleship USS Kentucky (BB 6) is launched in Newport News, Va. 1903 - Adm. George Dewey is commissioned Admiral of the Navy, the only person to hold this rank. Upon his death Jan. 16, 1917, Congress deactivates the rank. 1919 - The battleship USS Idaho (BB 42) is commissioned. Idaho serves with the Pacific fleet, participating in gunfire support of the Aleutian, Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa Campaigns, and is in Tokyo Bay Sept. 2, 1945 when Japan formally surrenders.
This Day In Naval History: March 23
1815 - The sloop-of-war USS Hornet captures the brig sloop HMS Penguin after a 22 minute battle, with neither ship aware the War of 1812 is over. 1882 - Secretary of the Navy William H. Hunt (Jan. 7, 1881 to April 16, 1882), creates the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) with General Order No. 292. 1917 - USS New Mexico (BB 40) is launched. She is the first dreadnought with turboelectric drive. 1944 - USS Tunny (SS 282) sinks the Japanese submarine I 42 off the Palau Islands.
This Day In Naval History: March 22
1820 - Commodore Stephen Decatur was mortally wounded in a duel with Capt. James Barron at Bladensburg, Md., over criticism Decatur had when Barron lost his ship…
This Day In Naval History: March 21
1804 - The brig USS Syren (Siren), commanded by Lt. Charles Stewart, captures the Tripolitan brig Transfer off the coast of Tripoli, renaming it Scourge after being taken into US Navy service.
This Day In Naval History: March 11
1778 - During the American Revolution, the Continental frigate Boston captures the British ship Martha in the North Atlantic. 1845 - George Bancroft takes office as the 17th Secretary of the Navy. Although he serves in that position only 18 months, he establishes the Naval Academy at Annapolis and encourages the growth and importance of the Naval Observatory. 1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act…
This Day In Naval History: March 10
1783 - The last naval action of the American Revolution takes place when the Continental frigate Alliance, commanded by Capt. John Barry, battles HMS Sybil south of Cape Canaveral, Fla. Sybil is damaged in the fight and returns to the two warships that did not join in the battle. 1933 - The Pacific Fleet provides assistance after an earthquake at Long Beach, Calif. 1943 - USS Savannah (CL 42) and USS Eberle (DD 430) intercept German blockade runner Karin in the South Atlantic.
This Day In Naval History - March 9
1847 - An Army-Navy force begins the siege of Veracruz, Mexico. Approximately 12,000 U.S. troops land on the beaches, along with their horses, mules, artillery, and supplies. Veracruz surrenders March 29, and the forces make their way to Mexico City. 1862 - In the first battle between ironclads, USS Monitor and CSS Virginia engage in close combat in Hampton Roads, Va. Neither side could claim victory, but it eventually ends the era of wooden ships.
This Day In Naval History - March 8
1822 - Crew from the schooner Enterprise capture and burn seven small pirate vessels off Cape Antonio, Cuba. 1862 - The ironclad CSS Virginia destroys the wooden ships USS Cumberland and USS Congress in Hampton Roads, Virginia. 1943 - PBY-5 Catalinas from VP-53 sink German submarine U 156 east-northeast of Trinidad. 1945 - Phyllis Daley becomes the first African-American ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps and serves at the Naval Dispensary at Boston, Mass.
This Day In Naval History - March 1
1865 - Side-wheel steamship Harvest Moon, while underway near Georgetown, S.C., with Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren on board, hits a Confederate mine (or "torpedo" in contemporary terms) and sinks with the loss of one of her crew. 1942 - Naval Reserve pilot Ensign William Tepuni, flying a Lockheed Hudson reconnaissance, light bombing and transport aircraft (PBO) from VP-82 Squadron based at Naval Air Station Argentia…
This Day in Naval History - March 28
1800 - Essex becomes the first U.S. Navy vessel to pass the Cape of Good Hope. 1814 - HMS Phoebe and Cherub capture USS Essex off Valparaiso, Chile. Before capture…
This Day in Naval History - March 27
1794 - Congress authorizes the construction of six frigates, including Constitution. 1799 - USS Constitution recaptures American sloop Neutrality from France. 1880…
This Day in Naval History - March 22
1820 - Commodore Stephen Decatur dies after a duel with Capt. James Barron. 1915 - "Naval aviator" replaces "Navy air pilot" for officers qualified as aviators.
This Day in Naval History - March 16th
1911 - The hulk of battleship USS Maine is sunk at sea with full military honors. 1945 - The island of Iwo Jima is declared secure. 1966 - Gemini 8 is launched.
This Day in Naval History - March 15
1865 - In the largest amphibious operation of the war, Union forces capture Fort Fisher, N.C. 1943 - The Numbered fleet system is established. 1957 - Airship ZPG-2 lands at Naval Air Station Key West…
This Day in Naval History - March 13
1895 - The first submarine building contract is awarded to John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Co. 1917 - Armed merchant ships are authorized to take action against U-boats.
This Day in Naval History - March 05
1942 - The name "Seabees" is officially authorized. 1943 - USS Bogue (CVE 9) begins the first anti-submarine operations by an escort carrier. 1960 - USS Newport…
This Day in Naval History - March 02
1859 - The first Navy ship built on the West Coast of the United States, Saginaw, is launched at Mare Island, Calif. 1867 - The Navy Civil Engineering Corps is established.
This Day in Naval History – March 31
1854 - Commodore Matthew Perry negotiates Treaty of Kanagawa to open trade between U.S. 1971 - Poseidon (C-3) missile becomes operational when USS James Madison…
