This Day In Naval History: June 17

Posted by Eric Haun June 17, 2016

USS Delaware entering the first drydock in America at Gosport Navy Yard (Norfolk), June 17, 1833. (Courtesy Tommy Trampp, NavSource)

1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur's squadron engages the Algerian flagship Mashouda near Cape de Gatt, Spain. Though the Algerian frigate maneuvers actively to escape, she surrenders after 20 men, including her commander, are killed.

1833 - The ship of the line, USS Delaware, becomes the first warship to enter a public drydock in the United States when secured at Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Va.

1870 - Under the command of Lt. Willard H. Brownson, six boats from the steam sloop-of-war USS Mohican attack a group of pirates in the Teacapan River, Mexico.

1898 - President William McKinley signs into law a Congressional bill authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps.

1944 - PB4Y-1 aircraft (VB 109) from Eniwetok sinks Japanese submarine RO 117, north-northwest of Truk.

1944 - TBF (VC 95) from USS Croatan (CVE 25) damages German submarine (U 853) in the North Atlantic. On May 6, 1945, USS Atherton (DE 169) and USS Moberly (PF 63) sink (U 853) off Block Island.

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