This Day in Naval History - Sept. 22 From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division 1861 - Commodore William W. McKean assumes command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron. A veteran of the War of 1812, he also serves during the Mexican-American war and commands the steam frigate, USS Niagara, when she carries Japans first diplomatic mission home from the United States. McKean later commands the East Gulf Blockading Squadron before retiring in June 1862. He dies in 1865. 1863 - During the Civil War, USS De Soto, commanded by Capt. W. M. Walker, recaptures the Army tug Leviathan in the Gulf of Mexico, some 40 miles off shore. She had been captured by the Confederates earlier in the day. 1944 - USS Yukon (AF 9) is hit in her starboard side by a torpedo fired by German submarine (U 979), about 43 miles west of Reykjavik, Iceland. Damaged, she steams at three knots until her SOS is responded to by tugs from Reykjavik. 1949 - President Harry S. Truman announces to the country that the Soviet Union has detonated its first atomic bomb in August. 1952 - During the Korean War, enemy guns fire on Sosari. HMS Cardigan Bay (PF) and USS Bradford (DD 545)provide direct counter battery fire, silencing the guns. 1959 - USS Patrick Henry (SSBN 599) is launched. In 1982, her ballistic missile tubes are disabled, and she is reclassified as an attack submarine. 1989 - After Hurricane Hugo, Sailors and Marines provide assistance to Charleston, S.C. through Oct. 10.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 03:43:54 +0000
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