This Week in Naval History

7 Feb 1800: USS Essex became 1st US Navy vessel to cross Equator

On 7 February 1800, the frigate Essex, commanded by Captain Edward Preble, became the first U.S. Navy vessel to cross the Equator. Previously, in January, Essex departed with the frigate Congress to rendezvous with and convoy merchant ships returning from Batavia, Dutch East Indies but Congress was dismasted after a few days out at sea. To read more about USS Essex, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e5/essex-i.htm

8 Feb 1991: USS Wisconsin attacked Iraqi artillery emplacements

On 8 February 1991, USS Wisconsin (BB 64) attacked a dozen Iraqi artillery emplacements with 36 rounds of its 16-inch guns in support of a Marine reconnaissance probe into occupied Kuwait. Using its remotely pilot vehicle to visually relay pictures and gun-firing coordinates of targets, the battleship pinned down and confused Iraqi gunners during the Marine attack. To read more about Operation Desert Storm during this time period, please click here:http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/dstorm/dsfeb.htm

9 Feb 1943: Organized Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal ends

On 9 February 1943, the organized Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal ends, bringing an end to battle which started in August 1942. To read more about the Guadalcanal Campaign, please click here:http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/guadlcnl/guadlcnl.htm

10 Feb 1862: US Navy flotilla engages gunboats and batteries

On 10 February 1862, a flotilla under Commander Stephen C. Rowan on board USS Delaware engaged the gunboats and batteries at Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and captured CSS Ellis and sunk CSS Seabird. CSS Black Warrior, Fanny, and Forrest were set afire by the Confederates to avoid capture. The forts and batteries at Cobb’s Point were also destroyed. To read more about USS Delaware, please click here:http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d3/delaware-iv.htm

11 Feb 1943: US Navy activity in Pacific 

On 11 February 1943, USS Fletcher (DD 445) and Scouting Observation Plane, SON, (VCS 9) from light cruiser Helena (CL 50) sank Japanese submarine I 18 in the Coral Sea. To read more about USS Fletcher (DD 445), please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-f/dd445.htm

12 Feb 1935: USS Macon, rigid-airship, disaster

On 12 February 1935, while returning to Moffett Field, USS Macon (ZRS-5) encountered a storm off Point Sur, California. Violent gusts tore off her upper fin, causing damage which soon had her crash into the sea, with all but two of her rescued. Macon’s crash effectively ended the Navy’s trouble-plagued rigid-airship program. To read more about USS Macon, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/z-types/zrs5.htm 

13 Feb 1913: Naval Radio Station, Arlington, VA, began operation

On 13 February 1913, the Naval Radio Station, Arlington, Virginia began operations. The station was a pioneer in communications, most notably with ether wave experiments with the Eiffel Tower in France. Disestablished in 1956, the station would periodically be used by the Navy until the mid-1960s. To read more about Naval Radio Station, Arlington during WWII, please click here: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/arlington_nrs.htm