Today in U.S. Naval History: April 4

Today in U.S. Naval History - April 4

1776 - Continental Navy frigate Columbus captures HM Tender Hawke, first American capture of British armed vessel

1854 - Sailors and Marines from sailing sloop, Plymouth, protect U.S. citizens at Shanghai

1898 - Appointment of first Civil Engineering Corps officer, Mordecai Endicott, as Chief, Bureau of Yards and Docks

1949 - Establishment of NATO

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.