This Week in Naval History

27 JUN 1861: First U.S. Navy officer killed druing the Civil War
1861 – While commanding a gunboat flotilla, Commander James Harmon Ward was mortally wounded by a musket ball while on board flagship USS Thomas Freeborn. At the time of action at Mathias Point, Virginia, he was sighting Freeborn’s bow gun. Ward was the first U.S. Naval officer casualty of the Civil War.

28 June 1814: USS Wasp captured and burned HMS Reindeer
On 28 June 1814, the sloop of war Wasp commanded by Johnston Blakeley, came across HMS Reindeer, commanded by William Manners, off Plymouth, England, and brought her to battle. The battle lasted approximately nineteen minutes long. Wasp eventually captured Reindeer, took her crew as prisoners, and burned her at sea. On 4 July, Wasp captured and burned the British brig Regulator. Two days later, she captured and scuttled the British ship Jenny.

29 JUN 1862: Steam sloop Susquehanna captured British steamer
On 29 June 1862, during the Civil War, the steam sloop Susquehanna, commanded by Cdr Hitchcock, captured the blockade-running British steamer Anna near Mobile, Alabama.

30 JUN 1815: Last naval action of the War of 1812
On 30 June 1815, in the last naval action of the War of 1812, the sloop of war Peacock, commanded by Captain Lewis Warrington, came across the British cruiser Nautilus in the Straits of Sundra. The cruiser’s crew informed Warrington of the Treaty of Ghent. Suspicious, he wanted her to strike colors. Refusing to do so, Peacock broadsided her, killing or wounding fifteen. Boarding the vessel, Warrington then found out peace had been signed and freed the prize. Subsquently, Warrington repaired Nautilus and set her free. Note, just two days prior, Peacock captured and burned the British merchant ship Brio de Mar.

1 Jul 1801: US Navy to protect against Barbary Pirates
On 1 July 1801, Commodore Richard Dale’s squadron arrived at Gibraltar for the protection of American interests and to strike at the Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean. Squadron ships were USS President, USS Philadelphia, USS Essex, and USS Enterprise, which had arrived 5 days earlier. The squadron was dispatched on 20 May. To read about Commodore Dale, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-d/r-dale.htm

2 Jul 1926: Distinguished Flying Cross was authorized

3 Jul 1898: Battle of Santiago – Spanish-American War
On 3 July 1898, during the Spanish American War, when Rear Admiral Cervera’s Spanish fleet attempted to flee from the harbor at Santiago, Cuba, the US Navy’s Atlantic Squadron successfully pursued, attacked, and systematically destroyed the Spanish vessels. With the loss of the fleet, the Spanish ships en route to the Philippines turned about in the Red Sea to protect Spain, which was now open to attack by the US Navy. Troop landings on Cuba were now more feasible against unsupported troops and Rear Admiral Dewey didn’t have to defend his position in the Pacific. To read an eyewitness account from a crewmember serving on board USS Iowa, please click here for the Navy Library’s Online Reading Room: http://www.history.navy.mil/library/manuscript/santiagobattle.htm