This Day In Naval History: July 14
1813 - During the War of 1812, Lt. John M. Gamble becomes the first Marine to command a ship in battle, USS Greenwich, when she captures British whaling ship Seringapatam.
1853 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry lands and holds the first meeting with the Japanese at Uraga, in which he delivers President Millard Fillmores request for a treaty to representatives to the Emperor. Allowing time for reflection and discussion, Commodore Perry returns in March 1854 and finalizes the Treaty of Kanagawa.
1944 - USS William C. Miller (DE 259) sinks Japanese submarine (RO 48) and teams with USS Gilmer (APD 11) to sink Japanese submarine (I 6).
1945 - In the first naval gunfire bombardment of the Japanese home islands, Task Unit 34.8.1 warships bombard ironworks plant at Kamaishi, Japan.
1952 - The keel to the Navys first supercarrier, USS Forrestal (CVA 59), is laid down.
1955 - The first flight of jet-propelled Martin P6M seaplane is completed at Baltimore, Md.
(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)
