This Day In Naval History: May 3

1777 - During the American Revolution, the Continental lugger Surprise, led by Capt. Gustavus conyngham, captures the British mail packet Prince of Orange and the brig Joseph in the North Sea.

1898 - During the Spanish-American War, U.S. Marines from cruisers Baltimore and Raleigh (C 8), raise US flag over Cavite, Philippines.

1942 - USS Spearfish (SS 190) evacuates naval and military officers, including nurses, from Corregidor before surrendering island to Japan.

1944 - USS Flasher (SS 249) sinks the Japanese freighter, USS Sand Lance (SS 381) sinks Japanese transport, and USS Tautog (SS 199) sinks Japanese army cargo ship, USS Tinosa (SS 283) sinks the Japanese freighter.

1949 - The U.S. Navy executes its first firing of a high altitude Viking rocket at White Sands, N.M.

1975 - USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Only America can make a machine like this, notes President Gerald R. Ford about the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. There is nothing like her in the world.

1980 - USS Peleliu (LHA 5) is commissioned in Pascagoula, Miss. She is the final Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship built and the first to be named in honor of the battles fought in the Palau Islands.|

1988 - USNS Victorious (T-AGOS 19) is launched from the McDermott Shipyards at Morgan City, La. The first-in-her-class ocean surveillance ship is acquired by the Navy in 1991.

2008 - USS North Carolina (SSN 777) is commissioned at Port of Wilmington, N.C., before sailing for its homeport of Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.


(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)