US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?
The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.
This Day In Naval History: August 16
1822 - USS Grampus investigates and pursues a brig flying Spanish colors. When called upon to surrender, the privateer brig Palmyra from Puerto Rico fires cannon and musket fire. USS Grampus fires back on Palmyras broadsides reducing Palmyras rigging to a complete wreck, killing one and wounding six. The brig surrenders with a crew of 88, one long 18-pounder gun and eight 18-pound carronades. Her officers acknowledge they had robbed the American schooner USS Coquette. 1863 - During the Civil War…
This Day In Naval History: July 14
1813 - During the War of 1812, Lt. John M. Gamble becomes the first Marine to command a ship in battle, USS Greenwich, when she captures British whaling ship Seringapatam. 1853 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry lands and holds the first meeting with the Japanese at Uraga, in which he delivers President Millard Fillmores request for a treaty to representatives to the Emperor. Allowing time for reflection and discussion, Commodore Perry returns in March 1854 and finalizes the Treaty of Kanagawa. 1944 - USS William C. Miller (DE 259) sinks Japanese submarine (RO 48) and teams with USS Gilmer (APD 11) to sink Japanese submarine (I 6). 1945 - In the first naval gunfire bombardment of the Japanese home islands, Task Unit 34.8.1 warships bombard ironworks plant at Kamaishi, Japan.
This Day In Naval History: June 14
1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of the Continental Navy sloop USS Ranger. While commanding Ranger, the ship receives the first official salute to the Stars and Stripes flag by the French fleet at Quiberon Bay. 1777 - The Continental Congress adopts the design of present U.S. flag of 13 stripes and 13 stars. 1847 - Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry conducts the second expedition against Tabasco, Mexico, also known as the Battle of Villahermosa. 1945 - USS Sea Devil (SS 400) sinks the Japanese transport Wakamiyasan Maru in the Yellow Sea. 1945 - PB4Y aircraft bomb Japanese shipping off Banjarmasin, Borneo and sink Japanese (No. 470) shuttle vessel. 1985 - Steelworker Second Class Robert D.
This Day In Naval History: May 13
1846 - Congress declares war against Mexico. Commodore David Conner is responsible for the landing of the Army at Vera Cruz. In April 1847, Commodore Matthew C. Perry relieves Conner. On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed ending hostilities. 1908 - The Navy Nurse Corps is established by Public Law No. 115, though nurses have been volunteering onboard Navy ships prior to the Civil War. 1908 - The Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, later called Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard…
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. 1945 - USS Morrison (DD 560) and USS Stockton (DD 646) sink the Japanese submarine I 8, 65 miles southeast of Okinawa.
Today in U.S. Naval History: July 8
Today in U.S. Naval History - July 8 1778 - Allied French fleet under Comte d'Estaing arrives in America. 1853 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails his squadron into Tokyo Bay. 1879 - USS Jeannette departs San Francisco to explore Arctic. 1944 - Naval bombardment of Guam begins. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.
Today in U.S. Naval History: July 8
Today in U.S. Naval History -July 8 1778 - Allied French fleet under Comte d'Estaing arrives in America. 1853 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails his squadron into Tokyo Bay. 1879 - USS Jeannette departs San Francisco to explore Arctic. 1944 - Naval bombardment of Guam begins. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center website at history.navy.mil.
This Day in Naval History - Feb. 13
1854 - Adm. Matthew Calbraith Perry anchors off Yokosuka, Japan, to receive the Japanese Emperor’s reply to a treaty proposal. 1913 - Naval Radio Station, Arlington, Va., begins operations. 1945 - Naval units enter Manila Bay for the first time since 1942. 1968 - Operation Coronado XI begins in Mekong Delta, South Vietnam. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil
This Day in U.S. Naval History – December 17
1846 - Ships under Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry capture Laguna de Terminos during Mexican War. 1941 - Admiral Chester W. Nimitz named Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, to relieve Admiral Husband Kimmel. Admiral William Pye becomes acting commander until Nimitz's arrival. (Source: Navy News Service)
NASSCO Delivers USNS Matthew Perry
General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), delivered USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) to the U.S. Navy. The ship is named in honor of Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858), the U.S. Navy officer who established American trade with Japan in the mid-19th Century. NASSCO began construction of USNS Matthew Perry in April 2008. The 689-ft-long supply ship will serve under the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The ship is capable of delivering almost 10,000 tons of dry cargo and petroleum products at one time to U.S. Navy and allied ships underway at sea. Including the Matthew Perry, NASSCO has delivered nine T-AKEs, which are also known as Lewis and Clark-class ships.
This Day in Naval History – Dec. 17
1846 - Ships under Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry capture Laguna de Terminos during Mexican War. 1941 - Admiral Chester W. Nimitz named Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, to relieve Admiral Husband Kimmel. Admiral William Pye becomes acting commander until Nimitz's arrival. (Source: Navy News Service)
Newest U.S. Navy Logistics Ship Launched
USNS Matthew Perry, which will be the newest ship in the U.S. Navy's Lewis and Clark-class of dry cargo/ammunition ships, was christened and launched Aug.16, during a late afternoon ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The ship, designated T-AKE 9, is expected to be delivered to the Navy's Military Sealift Command in early 2010 following a series of tests and sea trials. The 689-ft ship slid into the water for the first time as Hester G. Evans - a great…
This Day in Naval History – Dec. 17
1846 - Ships under Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry capture Laguna de Terminos during Mexican War. 1941 - Admiral Chester W. Nimitz named Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, to relieve Admiral Husband Kimmel. Admiral William Pye becomes acting commander until Nimitz's arrival. (Source: Navy News Service)
Navy Ships Named for American Pioneers
Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced the names of four new Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ships (T-AKE) as Matthew Perry, Charles Drew, Washington Chambers and William McLean. All of the Lewis and Clark ships are named in honor of American explorers and pioneers and are being built by General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif. The selection of Matthew Perry, designated T-AKE 9, honors Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858), who led a squadron of ships to Japan in 1853 with the aim of opening that nation to trade. He served during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and was sent to suppress piracy and the slave trade in the West Indies. The selection of Charles Drew, designated T-AKE 10, honors Dr. Charles R.
This Day in Naval History - Feb. 13
From the Navy News Service 1854 - Adm. Matthew Calbraith Perry anchors off Yokosuka, Japan, to receive the Japanese Emperor’s reply to a treaty proposal. 1913 - Naval Radio Station, Arlington, Va., begins operations. 1945 - Naval units enter Manila Bay for the first time since 1942. 1968 - Operation Coronado XI begins in Mekong Delta, South Vietnam.
This Day in Naval History - July 08
From the Navy News Service 1778 - Allied French fleet under Comte d'Estaing arrives in America. 1853 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails his squadron into Tokyo Bay. 1879 - USS Jeannette departs San Francisco to explore Arctic. 1944 - Naval bombardment of Guam begins.
This Day in Naval History - Feb. 13
1854 - Adm. Matthew Calbraith Perry anchors off Yokosuka, Japan, to receive the Japanese Emperor’s reply to a treaty proposal. 1913 - Naval Radio Station, Arlington, Va., begins operations. 1945 - Naval units enter Manila Bay for the first time since 1942. 1968 - Operation Coronado XI begins in Mekong Delta, South Vietnam. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.
