SeaWaves Today in History March 29, 2009 1778 - James Cook 1728-1779 lands at Nootka ('Friendly Cove') on the west coast of Vancouver Island, after 8 month voyage from England en route to search for a western entrance to the North West Passage; first Europeans to set foot on the island receive a warm welcome; trade iron goods, trap sea otters 1848 - Niagara Falls runs dry for 24 hours due to an ice jam on Lake Erie; beginning at 5 am; only time on record 1867 - US Secretary of State William H. Seward reached an agreement with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for $7.2 million a deal that was roundly ridiculed as "Seward's Folly" 1867 - The British Parliament passes the British North America Act; to establish the Dominion of Canada, uniting Canada West (Ontario), Canada East (Quebec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; today's Constitution Act. Here are George Brown and John A. Macdonald during discussions leading to the drafting of the BNA Act 1898 - Lieutenants Jarvis and Bertholf and Surgeon Call of the USRC Bear reach Point Barrow after a 2000 mile "mush" from Nunivak Island starting December 17, 1897, driving reindeer as food for 97 starving whalers caught in Arctic ice 1909 - Submarines HMS C33 & C34 laid down 1911 - Submarine HMS D2 completed 1912 - Captain Robert Falcon Scott dies in Antarctica returning from his expedition to the South Pole 1915 - Battlecruiser HMS Courageous laid down 1916 - Submarine HMS B9 attacked by Austrian aircraft 1918 - Minesweeper USS Cardinal launched 1919 - Destroyer USS Kalk commissioned 1920 - Cruiser USS Concord laid down 1924 - The Naval Dockyard at Holmen, Copenhagen is converted by law into a military command, and is now called Naval Station. Rear Admiral Axel V. Scheel becomes the first Chief-in-Command of the Naval Station by April 1, 1925. - The Dock Yard becomes a "civilian yard" under the Secretary of the Navy, and E. Adolph as the first Managing Director 1926 - Submarine HNLMS K XIII commissioned 1930 - Longview Bridge (later renamed Lewis and Clark Bridge) opens 1931 - Destroyer FS Vauquelin launched 1934 - Destroyers HMS Encounter & Escort launched 1935 - Destroyer HMS Forester commissioned 1938 - By an Executive Order of this date, President Roosevelt enlarged substantially the number of "personnel in the Lighthouse Service who are subject to the principle of the civil service," which allowed advancement in the Service solely on individual merit. The US Lighthouse Service was the last of the separate units of government maritime duties to be incorporated into the US Coast Guard, itself an amalgamated organization. The Lighthouse Service can trace its beginnings back to 1716, but its national federal establishment began in 1910. In 1915, Congress organized the Coast Guard by incorporating the old Revenue Cutter Service, Lifesaving Service, and the new International Ice Patrol (formed in 1914 and paid for internationally by the Atlantic seafaring nations, but run by the distant and then seen as quite neutral U.S; this was an outcome of the 1912 Titanic disaster). The Lighthouse Service continued separately until 1939, when it too was incorporated into the USCG. USCG uniforms, which came out of the old cutter duties at sea, were long exactly like those of the USN for all personnel -- the only distinctions being a white US shield above the sleeve cuff for enlisteds and a gold one on the cuff or shoulder rank board for officers, who also had a different cap badge. Today's USCG uniforms are no longer so traditionally naval; all wear shirts with neckties, coats and trousers are a royal instead of navy blue in color, coats are single-breasted, the whole a modern version of the formal dress suits worn by the old Lifesaving and Lighthouse Services. 1939 - Minelayer HMS Abdiel laid down 1939 - North German Lloyd cargo/passenger liner MV Hannover launched 1939 - Destroyer HMS Punjabi commissioned 1940 - In the North Sea U-30 rescued four crewmembers from a crashed German Do 18 airplane 1940 - U-145 laid down 1940 - Corvette HMS Fennel laid down Sorel PQ 1941 - U-46 sank Liguria in Convoy OB-302 1941 - U-48 sank Germanic, Hylton & Limbourg in Convoy HX-115 1941 - U-211, U-383, U-384 laid down 1941 - U-452, U-752 launched 1941 - U-107 under Kptlt Günther Hessler put out from Lorient, France at 1930 for what would become the most successful patrol of the entire war against allied merchant shipping 1941 - U-202 had a collision with the U-boat support ship Lech off Kiel and suffered some damages 1941 - Minesweeping trawlers HMS Burra & Shapinsay launched 1941 - Corvette HMS Narcissus launched 1941 - The Italian cruiser Pola is found, partly abandoned. After taking off the remaining crew, destroyers HMS Jervis and HMS Nubian sink her with torpedoes. The Royal Navy has lost one aircraft in the whole of the Battle of Cape Matapan 1942 - In the Arctic Sea, U-376 rescued eight survivors of the sunken German destroyer Z 26 1942 - U-571 attempted to assist shipwrecked survivors from the sunken Hertford, but they refused all offers of help 1942 - One crewmember on U-703 was badly injured in an accident off Heligoland 1942 - U-160 Lassen City of New York 1942 - Inter-American Defense Board 1942 - Destroyer HMS Belvoir commissioned 1942 - Whilst escorting convoy PQ13 to Russia, cruiser HMS Trinidad and her accompanying destroyers sink German destroyer Z-26, then Trinidad is sunk by its own torpedo which circles back on itself 1942 - President Roosevelt announced the creation of a Pacific War Council to sit in Washington. First meeting April 1 1942 - HMS Unrivalled torpedoes and sinks the German auxiliary submarine chasers UJ 2201/Bois Rose and UJ 2204/Boréal off the Gulf of Picarenzi, Italy 1943 - U-267 was attacked by convoy escorts in the North Atlantic and suffered slight damages 1943 - U-172 sank Silverbeech in Convoy RS-3 1943 - U-404 sank SS Nagara in Convoy SL-126 1943 - U-610 sank William Pierce Frye in Convoy HX-230 1943 - U-662 sank Empire Whale & Umaria & damaged Ocean Viceroy in Convoy SL-126 1943 - Sloop HMS Chanticleer commissioned 1943 - Submarine USS Paddle commissioned 1943 - Destroyer escort USS Bates laid down 1943 - Destroyer HMCS Athabaskan suffered weather damage on Iceland-Faeroes Passage patrol 1943 - Tests of forward firing rockets projectiles from naval aircraft were completed at the US Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, using a USN SB2A-4 aircraft 1943 - Submarine HMS Tapir laid down 1944 - Minesweepers USS Tanager & Facility laid down 1944 - Destroyer USS Gainard laid down 1944 - Escort carrier USS Munda laid down 1944 - Submarine USS Cobia commissioned 1944 - Frigate USS Machias commissioned 1944 - Escort carrier USS Windham Bay launched 1944 - Corvette HMCS Oakville completed forecastle extension refit Galveston TX 1944 - HMC MTB 466 & 736 commissioned 1944 - U-961 (type VIIC) is sunk east of Iceland at position 64.31N 03.19W by depth charges from frigate HMS Starling. All 49 of the U-Boat crew are lost 1945 - U-326 sailed from Bergen on her final patrol 1945 - U-234 & U-1301 had a collision off Kristiansand. U-1301 damaged her bow 1945 - U-1106 sunk NE of the Faeroes, in position 61.46N, 02.16W, by depth charges from an RAF 224 Sqn Liberator. 46 dead (all hands lost) 1945 - U-1169 sunk in the English Channel south of Lizard Point, in position 49.58N, 05.25W, by depth charges from frigate HMS Duckworth. 49 dead (all hands lost) 1945 - Submarine HMS Auriga launched 1945 - HMS Spark sinks a Japanese coaster with gunfire in the Flores Sea 1945 - Boom defense vessel HMS Barkis launched 1945 - Frigate HMS Tremadoc Bay launched 1945 - Repair ship HMS Girdle Ness launched Vancouver BC 1945 - Submarines USS Macabi & Stickleback commissioned 1945 - Frigate HMCS Teme damaged 0625, by U-246 6 miles NW of Land's End, 50-07N 05-45W. Teme towed to Falmouth. 4 crewmembers lost. Teme was engaged in escorting convoy BTC-11 in the Channel off Falmouth when she was struck by a torpedo that blew off 60 feet of her stern. She was towed to Falmouth where she was declared a constructive total loss on 4 May 45. U-246 a VIIC type U-Boat, built by F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, launched 7 Dec 43, commissioned 11 Jan 44, in service 14 months, with no record of sinking any ships, was sunk 29 Mar 45 by frigate HMS Duckworth in the Channel near Lands End, in position 49-58N, 05-25W, with the loss of 48 crewmembers. 1945 - U-246 a VIIC type U-Boat, built by F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, launched 7 Dec 43, commissioned 11 Jan 44, in service 14 months, with no record of sinking any ships, was sunk by frigate HMS Duckworth in the Channel near Lands End, in position 49-58N, 05-25W, with the loss of 48 crewmembers 1945 - US landing on Negros in the Philippine Islands 1946 - Auxiliary HMCS Mont Joli paid off 1946 - Destroyer USS Hollister commissioned 1946 - HM LCIL 4 lost 1951 - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage. They were executed in June 1953 1954 - Carrier aircraft began reconnaissance near Dien Bien Phu, Indochina 1954 - Destroyer HMCS Cayuga arrived Buckner Bay, Okinawa 1954 - Air-sea rescue launched HMC HSL 233 commissioned 1956 - Destroyer HMCS Margaree launched Halifax NS 1957 - Japan officially announces the nullification of the 1905 Eulsa treaty and gives up properties owned by Japanese in South Korean territory. The Eulsa treaty, which Japan forced Korea to sign in 1905 to take away its diplomatic rights, opened the way for the Japanese colonial occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 until Japan's defeat in 1945 1958 - Coastal escorts (ex-minesweepers) HMCS Swift Current, Westmount, Sarnia, Mahone & Blairmore sold to Turkey as Bozcaada, Bornova, Buyukdere, Beylerbeyi & Beycox. All refitted at Sydney NS before transfer. Purchase and refits paid for by US MDAP funds 1960 - Launch of first fully integrated Fleet Ballistic Missile from USS Observation Island 1960 - Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and US President Dwight D Eisenhower agree on new proposals for a nuclear test ban treaty 1967 - Submarine FS Redoutable, France’s first SSBN launched 1969 - USS Kearsarge commenced Vietnam deployment with CVSG-53 1973 - Naval Advisory Group and Naval forces, Vietnam disestablished and last US prisoners of war left Vietnam 1975 - Evacuation of Danang by sea began 1975 - USS Coral Sea port call Subic Bay 1985 - The Nantucket I was decommissioned, ending 164 years of lightship service 1991 - Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweeping and maritime interception operations 1991 - USS Francis Hammond, Shasta, Niagara Falls and coalition ships, assists burning Sri Lankan merchant vessel Mercs-Horana in Arabian Gulf 1991 - Status of LT Charles J. Turner, missing since 18 January downing of his A-6, was changed to Killed in Action 1993 - Destroyer HMCS Algonquin departed Halifax for blockade duties off Yugoslavia 1994 - The cutter Mallemukken is handed over to Estonia free of charge, and is renamed Ahti. It became the first Danish naval vessel ever, to be given away as a gift to a foreign navy 1995 - South Korea joins the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, an international body of governments to cooperate in economic development and overcome social challenges 2001 - The Incheon International Airport opens on Yeongjong Island near the metropolitan port city of Incheon, 40 km west of Seoul 2004 - A ship with about 100 passengers capsizes off the Somali coast. Most of the passengers drown. Only five make it to safety 2005 - Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd announced that it has taken delivery of MV Marybelle, a Handymax bulk carrier. The company also announced the simultaneous commencement of a one-year charter of the vessel to European Charterers at US $24,000.00 per day. The vessel is a Handymax bulk carrier of approximately 42,552 dwt, built in 1987 at Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, Tamano, Japan which the company agreed to acquire on December 9, 2004. MV Marybelle is the fifth vessel the company agreed to acquire and also the fifth to be deployed in the fixed term employment markets 2005 - Northrop Grumman Ship Systems at Pascagoula MS lays the keel for the first National Security Cutter (WMSL 750) built under the Integrated Deepwater System partnership, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman with Lockheed Martin Corporation and the United States Coast Guard. Northrop Grumman Corporation will welcome newly appointed US Department of Homeland Security Sec. Michael Chertoff as principal speaker at the keel authentication ceremony. Sec. Chertoff's wife, Meryl, is the sponsor of the first-in-class ship armed with the mission to lead the US Coast Guard's future fleet under the Deepwater acquisition program. Other speakers include US Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.); US Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.); Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; US Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas H. Collins; US Coast Guard Rear Adm. Patrick Stillman, program executive officer, Deepwater; Philip A. Dur, president, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; and Fred Moosally, president Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors 2005 - TOP Tankers Inc announced today the sale of M/T Yapi, a 29,998 Dwt, single-hull Handysize tanker built in 1989. The sale will result in a book profit, which will be recognized in the 3rd quarter of 2005. The vessel is expected to be delivered to its new owners by July 31, 2005 2005 - India today announced its decision to buy 11 Dornier aircraft from Germany and hold price negotiations for purchase of 12 French-made Mirage fighters from Qatar. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also cleared induction of nine offshore patrol vessels for the Navy, purchase of one C-303 submarine-fired torpedo decoy system from Italy and upgrade of 14 carrier-based British-made Sea Harriers planes. The CCS also approved time and cost revision for manufacture of intermediate jet trainer by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at a cost Rs 467 crore as against 1997 price of Rs 180 crore, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters. He said the CCS authorized the Defense Ministry to carry out price negotiations for 12 used Mirage 2005 warplanes from Qatar which have 80 to 85 per cent of their operational life intact 2005 - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries concluded a contract with the Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) on research for the development of one marine ranch each in Uljin, Taean and Jeju. The marine ranch project was launched in 1998 as a state R&D project to develop coastal waters suitable to regional characteristics by 2010 with a total outlay of 158.9 billion won. It set its first hand to the waters of Tongyeong in 1998 with plan for completion in 2006. Another one was launched off Yeosu in 2001 to complete in 2008. The engineering service for the marine ranches in Uljin, Taean and Jeju has been commissioned with the research institute for full-fledged development through 2010. The government will spend a total budget of three billion won for the three projects 2006 - Mother Nature provides an added thrill when the 793-passenger ms Prinsendam arrives off the coast of Turkey; an ideal place and time to view a total solar eclipse 2006 - Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. today announced it will build four, 114,000 dwt 44-meter beam Aframax tankers at the New Times Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. shipyard based in Jinjiang, China. The vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2008 and 2009, will increase OSG's Aframax fleet to 21 tankers serving customers in the Atlantic basin, and will operate in the Aframax International (AI) pool. The tankers will be built using the new Common Structural Rules (CSR) recently established by IACS for all tankers and bulk carriers ordered after April 1, 2006. Among other design upgrades, the new rules set forth stricter hull strength requirements and technical criteria of double hull tankers that had previously differed by each classification society. OSG has agreed to pay approximately $58 million for each of the high specification tankers. The new tankers will add 456,000 deadweight tons to the Company's fleet, bringing its total owned, operated and newbuild fleet to 113 vessels, aggregating 12,652,837 dwt and 864,800 cbm. OSG co-founded and co-manages the AI pool which holds the number-two market position worldwide with a combined fleet of 42 Aframax tankers. Additionally, the Company announced its intention to sell two of its older Aframax tankers 2006 - A once-unidentified sailor killed in the Pearl Harbor attack almost 65 years ago was laid to rest today with full honors and a grave marker bearing his name, thanks to sleuth work by a Pearl Harbor survivor and US Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command's expertise. Seaman 2nd Class Warren Paul Hickok was reinterred this morning at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, more commonly called the Punchbowl. The 18-year-old Kalamazoo, Mich., native had been among more than 1,500 sailors, soldiers, Marines and civilians killed during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack but never identified 2007 - The Zong, a replica 18th century wooden square rigger will be accompanied up the Thames by Royal Navy Frigate HMS Northumberland on its pre-scheduled trip from Greenwich, through Tower Bridge to dock at Tower Pier 2007 - New South Wales Ambulance Service says at least three people have been killed in a collision between a ferry and a pleasure craft under the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Accident happened when a Sydney Harbor ferry crashed into a cabin cruiser under the Harbor Bridge 2007 - Smit Internationale NV announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Adsteam’s Liverpool towage operation 2007 - HMS Northumberland escorts replica slave ship up the Thames 2007 - SMIT and her new partner RR Panfido have been awarded a 25 year contract for services to the Adriatic LNG Offshore Terminal in Italy. This prestigious terminal project will be the first gravity based offshore LNG import terminal in the world 2007 - Aker Yards has signed a contract with MSC Cruises to build a 4th MSC Musica Class cruise ship. MSC Magnifica will be built at Aker Yards, Saint-Nazaire and delivered in 2010 2007 - Commander US 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Doug Crowder introduces Vice Adm. Yoji Koda to USS Blue Ridge Commanding Officer, Capt. David A. Lausman. Koda, who took command of Japan's Self-Defense Fleet yesterday, visited Crowder to discuss continued strengthening of the US Navy and JMSDF relationship 2007 - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen announced the following flag officer assignments: Rear Adm. (lower half) Mark H. Buzby is being assigned as commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, US Southern Command, Guantanamo, Cuba. Buzby is currently serving as deputy director, expeditionary warfare, N85B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Rear Adm. (lower half) Harry B. Harris Jr. is being assigned as director of operations, J3, US Southern Command, Miami, Fla. Harris is currently serving as commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, US Southern Command, Guantanamo, Cuba 2007 - Lloyd Brown, 105, a Washington area fireman who was among the last surviving US Navy veterans of World War I, died at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in St. Mary's County. He had a pulmonary embolism Copyright 2009 Shirlaw News Group ISSN 1710-6966 Today in History Archives This information is licensed to the recipient only. Images may be subject to copyright. Ask before you right-click. Royal Navy photos are Courtesy of www.oldships.org.uk unless otherwise indicated. To contact us: 418-145 West Keith Rd North Vancouver BC V7M 1L3 Canada Phone: 778-968-7447