This Day in Naval History – July 19

1812 - USS Constitution escapes from British squadron after 3 day chase off New Jersey

1886 - Atlanta, the first steel-hulled American cruiser armed with breechloading rifled guns, is commissioned.

1897 - LT Robert E. Peary departs on year long Arctic Expedition which makes many important discoveries, including one of largest meteorites, Cape York.

1918 - Armored cruiser USS San Diego sunk off Fire Island, NY by a mine laid by U-156.

1940 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs second Naval Expansion Act.

(Source: Navy News Service)