This Day in Naval History - Jan. 05

From the Navy News Service

1855 - USS Plymouth crew has skirmish with Chinese troops.

1875 - Cmdr. Edward Lull begins expedition to locate the best ship canal route across Panama.

1943 - In the Southwest Pacific, USS Helena (CL 50) fired first proximity-fused projectile in combat, shooting down a Japanese divebomber in the process.

1968 - Lt. Clarence W. Cote becomes the first male Nurse Corps officer in the regular Navy.