This Week in Naval History

This Week in Naval History


25 Apr 1957: US Navy supported Jordan during failed coup

On 25 April 1957, when King Hussein of Jordan reported a conspiracy to overthrow his government, USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and USS Lake Champlain (CVS 39), with accompanying destroyers, entered the Eastern Mediterranean to support his government. The planned coup failed.

26 Apr 1960: US Navy & USSR action off Long Island Sound

On 26 April 1960, USS George Washington (SSN 598 ) conducted a Polaris missile test firing in Long Island Sound. The Soviet trawler Vega attempted to retrieve the missile but was prevented from doing so by USS Nipmuc (ATF 157), which maneuvered constantly between the Russian and the missile until recovery was made.

27 April 1805 – “To the Shores of Tripoli”

On 27 April 1805, with Naval bombardment from USS Nautilus, USS Hornet, and USS Argus, Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon led his Marines to attack Derne, Tripoli, and raised the first U.S. Flag over foreign soil. The Battle of Derna was the Marines' first battle on foreign soil, and is notably recalled in the first verse of the Marines’ Hymn: "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land and sea."

28 Apr 1944: Operation Tiger

On 28 April 1944, while an LST convoy trained in Lyme Bay (a part of the English Channel south west of England) for the Normandy Invasion, German motor torpedo boats out of Cherbourg, which had evaded Allied patrols, attacked the convoy. USS LST 507 and USS LST 531 were sunk of Portland Bill, England, and USS LST 289 was damaged.
Note, this brief action resulted in 198 Navy sailors dead or missing and 551 Army dead or missing, from later reports.

29 Apr 1945: USS Bream sank German minesweeper depot ship Quito

On 29 April 1945, USS Bream (SS 243) sank the German minesweeper depot ship Quito off Tanjong Putting, Borneo, N.E.I.
30 Apr 1798: Congress est. DON as a separate cabinet department
On 30 April 1798, Congress established the Department of the Navy as a separate cabinet department. Previously, naval matters were under the cognizance of the War Department. Note, the first Secretary of the
Navy was Benjamin Stoddert, 1 May 1798-31 March 1801.

1 May 1898: Battle of Manila Bay

On 1 May 1898, at the Battle of Manila Bay, the American squadron, commanded by Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Montojo at Manila Bay, Philippines. During the battle, the Spaniards opened fire at long range but Dewey held fire until his squadron was in position, then said to his flagship captain, “You may fire when ready, Gridley.” The victory gave Dewey control of the bay and access to the city of Manila.