This Week in Naval History

This Week in Naval History

20 Jun 1815: Navy's first steam-driven warship undergoes trials

1815 - Trials of Fulton I, built by Robert Fulton, are completed in New York. This ship would become the Navy's first steam-driven warship.

21 Jun 1942: Last aviators recovered from Battle of Midway

On 21 June 1942, PBY aircraft from (VP 24) recovered a two-man crew from USS Enterprise (CV 6) TBD (VT 6), 360 miles north of Midway. Their plane had to land in the water on 4 June. The aviators were the last survivors of the Battle of Midway to be recovered. 

22 Jun 1898: Spanish cruiser Isabel II fired on USS Saint Paul

On 22 June 1898, during the Spanish-American War, the Spanish cruiser Isabel II opened fire on USS Saint Paul. The Spanish destroyer Terror joined Isabel II in attempt to torpedo USS Saint Paul. In return, USS Saint Paul fired at Terror, damaging her. Terror then gave up the attack and returned to port, followed by Isabel II.

23 Jun 1933: Rigid airship USS Macon (ZRS-5) was commissioned

On 23 June 1933, USS Macon (ZRS-5) was commissioned. Following her commissioning, she participated in exercises off the Pacific and southern coasts, testing her abilities for fleet scouting and missions involving her F9C “Sparrowhawk” aircraft. Unfortunately, on 12 February 1935, Macon crashed during a storm off Point Sur, California, which effectively ended the Navy's program of rigid airship operations.

24 Jun 1833: Poem saves USS Constitution from scrap heap

On 24 June 1833, the frigate Constitution entered the drydock at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts, for overhaul. The ship was saved from scrapping after public support rallied to save the ship following publication of Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem, "Old Ironsides."

25 Jun 1950: North Korea invades South Korea

On 25 June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, beginning the Korean War. Two days later, President Harry S. Truman supported the United Nation’s call and authorized US naval and air operations south of the 38th Parallel, Korea. Following the landings at Inchon and Wonson, the enemy was pushed to the 38th Parallel. After two-year peace negotiations, an armistice was signed on 27 July 1953 at Panmunjon, establishing the north and south border at the 38th Parallel, where the tense cease-fire continues to this day.

Aye tear her tattered ensign down

long has it waved on high,

And many an eye has danced to see

That banner in the sky;

Beneath it rung the battle shout,

And burst the cannon's roar;--

The meteor of the ocean air

Shall sweep the clouds no more.

Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,

Where knelt the vanquished foe,

When winds were hurrying o'er the flood,

And waves were white below,

No more shall feel the victor's tread,

Or know the conquered knee;--

The harpies of the shore shall pluck

The eagle of the sea!

Oh, better that her shattered hulk

Should sink beneath the wave;

Her thunders shook the mighty deep,

And there should be her grave;

Nail to the mast her holy flag,

Set every threadbare sail,

And give her to the god of storms,

The lightning and the gale!'

26 Jun 1945: USS Parche attacks Japanese convoy and sinks ship

On 26 June 1945, USS Parche (SS 384) attacked a Japanese convoy and sank gunboat Kamitsu Maru and freighter Eikan Maru seven miles of Todo Saki, southern Honsju, 39º 25’N, 142º 04’E. Though damaged by subsequent depth charges, Parche remained on patrol. The name Parche comes from a French butterfly fish, Chaetodon Capistratus, which is known for its remarkable navigation abilities.