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.

 

1903 - The Honduras Expedition, made up with USS Marietta, USS Olympia, USS Panther, USS Raleigh, and USS San Francisco, embark and operate in Honduran waters during a period of civil strife.

 

1917 - Loretta Walsh becomes the first woman Navy petty officer when sworn in as chief yeoman.

 

1943 - USS Herring (SS 233) sinks the German submarine U 163 off the Bay of Biscay. The sub was responsible for sinking USS Erie (PG 50) on Nov. 14, 1942.

 

1944 - USS Angler (SS 240) completes the evacuation of 58 U.S. citizens, including women and children, from the west coast of Panay, Philippine Islands. The sub had been told there were only 20 people, straining the boats supplies until it arrived at Fremantle April 9.

 

1945 - USS Baya (SS 318) sinks the auxiliary netlayer Kainan Maru off Cam Ranh Bay.

 

1952 - During the Korean War, USS Osprey (AMS 28) comes under fire by enemy shore batteries while sweeping the shoreline at Wonsan. Osprey silences the three batteries in a counter-battery engagement.

 

1957 - An A3D-1 Skywarrior aircraft piloted by Cmdr. Dale W. Cox, Jr., breaks two transcontinental records, one for the Los Angeles to New York flight in nine hours and 21 minutes, 35.4 seconds and the other for the return back east to west flight in five hours and 13 minutes, 49 seconds.