This Day in Naval History – Feb. 22

1865 - RADM Porter's gunboats' bombardment cause surrender of Wilmington, NC .

1870 - After arriving on USS Nipsic, and supported by USS Guard and USS Nyack, the Darien Expedition, commanded by CDR Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr., begins active operations ashore at Caldonia Bay to survery the Isthmus of Darien, Panama, for an interoceanic ship canal.

1909 - Great White Fleet returns from round the world cruise to Hampton Roads, VA

1943 - USS Iowa (BB-61), the lead ship of the last class of American fast battleships, is commissioned.

1974 - LTJG Barbara Ann Allen becomes first Navy designated female aviator

(Source: Navy News Service)