Naval Observatory News

In the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress established a commission to rename several military bases and ships that commemorate members of the Confederacy. One of these is the Naval oceanographic ship USNS Maury (T-AGS 66), named after oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury, who resigned his commission in the U.S. Navy to join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the American Civil War. The USNS Maury is an asset of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), which I led from 2014-2017.

1861 - USS Penguin, commanded by Cmdr. John L. Livingston, engages blockade-runner Louisa during the Civil War. The blockade-runner hits a sandbar near Cape Fear, N.C., and sinks. 1877 - Prof. Asaph Hall of the U.S. Naval Observatory discovers the first of two satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, using the largest refractor of the time, a USNO 26-inch (66-cm) telescope. 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, USS Cushing (TB 1), USS Gwin (TB 16), and USS McKee (TB 18) captured and burned the Spanish schooner Jover Genard at Carendas, Cuba.

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, which permits delivery of war materials to Allied Powers on credit or lease. 1942 - Lt. John Bulkeley, commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, helps Gen.

Today in U.S. 1830 - Naval Observatory, the first U.S. national observatory, established at Washington, D.C., under commander of Lieutenant Louis Malesherbes. 1901 - First report of Ship Model Basin at Washington Navy Yard issued by Naval Constructor David W. Taylor who designed the basin. First facility of this type in U.S. to test hull shapes. 1917 - German submarine torpedoes sink USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) off England. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Today in U.S. 1800 - U.S. Schooner Experiment captures French Schooner Diana. 1844 - Naval Observatory headed by Lt. Matthew Fontaine Maury occupies first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser, Lt. J. Q. Barton, given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a Pay Department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until October 1, 1877 when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy. In 1878, the Emperor of Japan conferred on him the Fourth Class of Rising Sun for his service.

Accompanied by azure blue skies and a stiff breeze, the Navy christened and launched its newest oceanographic survey ship, USNS Maury (T-AGS 66), the last of its class at VT Halter Marine’s shipyard in Moss Point, Miss., in a traditional Navy ceremony on March 27. The 350-foot ship is named for Cmdr. Matthew F. Maury, considered to be the father of oceanography, nicknamed the “Pathfinder of the Seas” and the first superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory. Maury is 24 feet…

1830 - The Naval Observatory, the first U.S. national observatory, was established in Washington, D.C., under the command of Lt. Louis Malesherbes. 1901 - The first report on the Ship Model Basin at the Washington Navy Yard was issued by Naval constructor David W. Taylor, who designed the basin. It's the first facility of this type in U.S. to test hull shapes. 1917 - German submarine torpedoes sink USS Jacob Jones (DD 61) off England. 1968 - Operation Giant Slingshot began in Mekong Delta.   For more information about Naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

1812 - USS Constitution captures and destroys brig Lady Warren. 1877 - Professor Asaph Hall of Naval Observatory discovers first of two satellites of Mars. He found the second one within a week. 1921 - Carrier arresting gear first tested at Hampton Roads. 1960 - USNS Longview (T-AGM 3), using Navy helicopters and frogmen, recovers a Discover satellite capsule after 17 orbits. This is first recovery of U.S. satellite from orbit. For more information on naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

1830 - Naval Observatory, the first U.S. national observatory, established at Washington, DC, under commander of Lieutenant Louis Malesherbes. 1901 - First report of Ship Model Basin at Washington Navy Yard issued by Naval Constructor David W. Taylor who designed the basin. First facility of this type in U.S. to test hull shapes. 1917 - German submarine torpedoes sink USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) off England. 1968 - Operation Giant Slingshot began in Mekong Delta (Source: Navy News Service)

1800 - U.S. Schooner Experiment captures French Schooner Diana. 1844 - Naval Observatory headed by LT Matthew Fontaine Maury occupies first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser, LT J. Q. Barton, given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a Pay Department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until 1 October 1877 when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy. In 1878, the Emperor of Japan conferred on him the Fourth Class of Rising Sun for his service. 1937 - Patrol aviation transferred to Aircraft Scouting Force, a reestablished type command. With change five patrol wings were established as separate administrative command over their squadrons.

1812 - USS Constitution captures and destroys brig Lady Warren 1877 - Professor Asaph Hall of Naval Observatory discovers first of two satellites of Mars. He found the second one within a week. 1921 - Carrier arresting gear first tested at Hampton Roads. 1960 - USNS Longview, using Navy helicopters and frogmen, recovers a Discover satellite capsule after 17 orbits. This is first recovery of U.S. satellite from orbit. (Source: Navy News Service)

1800 - U.S. Schooner Experiment captures French Schooner Diana. 1844 - Naval Observatory headed by LT Matthew Fontaine Maury occupies first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser, LT J. Q. Barton, given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a Pay Department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until 1 October 1877 when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy. In 1878, the Emperor of Japan conferred on him the Fourth Class of Rising Sun for his service. 1937 - Patrol aviation transferred to Aircraft Scouting Force, a reestablished type command. With change five patrol wings were established as separate administrative command over their squadrons.

1812 - USS Constitution captures and destroys brig Lady Warren 1877 - Professor Asaph Hall of Naval Observatory discovers first of two satellites of Mars. He found the second one within a week. 1921 - Carrier arresting gear first tested at Hampton Roads. 1960 - USNS Longview, using Navy helicopters and frogmen, recovers a Discover satellite capsule after 17 orbits. This is first recovery of U.S. satellite from orbit. (Source: Navy News Service)

In a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Observatory, Rear Adm. David Titley assumed the office of oceanographer of the Navy, replacing retiring Rear Adm. David A. Gove. Titley will simultaneously maintain his current position as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command until a replacement can be found. Headquartered at the U.S. Naval Observatory, the oceanographer of the Navy serves as the advisor to the chief of naval operations for resources, requirements, and policy with regard to the Naval Oceanography Program. The program, which includes the disciplines of oceanography, hydrography, meteorology, geospatial information and services…

1800 - schooner Experiment captures French schooner Diana. 1844 - The Naval Observatory, headed by Lt. Matthew Fontaine Maury, occupies its first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser Lt. J.Q. Barton is given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a pay department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until Oct. 1, 1877, when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy. 1880 - John Phillip Sousa becomes leader of Marine Corps Band. 1928 - The first class at school for enlisted Navy and Marine Corps radio intercept operators (The "On the Roof Gang") is held. 1937 - Patrol aviation is transferred to Aircraft Scouting Force, a re-established type command.

From the Navy News Service 1812 - USS Constitution captures and destroys brig Lady Warren. 1877 - Professor Asaph Hall of Naval Observatory discovers first of two satellites of Mars. He found the second one within a week. 1921 - Carrier arresting gear first tested at Hampton Roads. 1960 - USNS Longview (T-AGM 3), using Navy helicopters and frogmen, recovers a Discover satellite capsule after 17 orbits. This is first recovery of satellite from orbit.

From the Navy News Service 1950 - Mary T. Sproul is commissioned as the first female doctor in the Navy. 1959 - The U.S. Naval Observatory introduces the system of uniform atomic time using cesium beam atomic oscillators. This measurement has since been adopted as standard by the International Committee on Weights and Measures. 1962 - Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) teams established.

1830 - The Naval Observatory, the first U.S. national observatory, was established in Washington, D.C., under the command of Lt. Louis Malesherbes. 1901 - The first report on the Ship Model Basin at the Washington Navy Yard was issued by Naval constructor David W. Taylor, who designed the basin. It's the first facility of this type in U.S. to test hull shapes. 1917 - German submarine torpedoes sink USS Jacob Jones (DD 61) off England. 1968 - Operation Giant Slingshot began in Mekong Delta.

From the Navy News Service 1830 - The Naval Observatory, the first U.S. national observatory, was established in Washington, D.C., under the command of Lt. Louis Malesherbes. From the Navy News Service 1901 - The first report on the Ship Model Basin at the Washington Navy Yard was issued by Naval constructor David W. Taylor, who designed the basin. It's the first facility of this type in U.S. to test hull shapes. From the Navy News Service 1917 - German submarine torpedoes sink USS Jacob Jones (DD 61) off England.From the Navy News Service 1968 - Operation Giant Slingshot began in Mekong Delta.

October 1, 1800 - U.S. Schooner Experiment captures French Schooner Diana. 1844 - Naval Observatory headed by LT Matthew Fontaine Maury occupies first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser, LT J. Q. Barton, given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a Pay Department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until 1 October 1877 when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy. In 1878, the Emperor of Japan conferred on him the Fourth Class of Rising Sun for his service. 1937 - Patrol aviation transferred to Aircraft Scouting Force, a reestablished type command. With change five patrol wings were established as separate administrative command over their squadrons.

The White House is asking the U.S. Navy to pay the six-figure utility bill for Vice President Dick Cheney's house, as Democrats accused Cheney, the administration's point man on energy policy, of "staggering insensitivity." The bill for electricity, gas and water for the 33-room official vice presidential residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory is projected at $136,000 for fiscal 2002 which ends in September, compared with a budget of $43,600, the White House said. The bills have far outstripped the budget since an electricity meter was installed in 1998, the White House said. This has driven Cheney to practice the energy conservation…

1800 - U.S. schooner Experiment captures French schooner Diana. 1844 - The Naval Observatory, headed by Lt. Matthew Fontaine Maury, occupies its first permanent quarters. 1874 - Supply Corps purser Lt. J.Q. Barton is given leave to enter service of new Japanese Navy to organize a pay department and instruct Japanese about accounts. He served until Oct. 1, 1877, when he again became a purser in the U.S. Navy. 1880 - John Phillip Sousa becomes leader of Marine Corps Band. 1928 - The first class at school for enlisted Navy and Marine Corps radio intercept operators (The "On the Roof Gang") is held. 1937 - Patrol aviation is transferred to Aircraft Scouting Force, a re-established type command.