Naval History and Heritage Command

Benjamin Crowninshield takes office as the fifth Secretary of the Navy, serving until Sept. 30, 1818. He implements the new Board of Commissioners administrative system and the building of several ships. He also oversees strategy and naval policy for the brief and very successful war with Algiers in 1815.

The class protected cruiser Boston lands Marines at Honolulu, Hawaii, to protect American lives and property after the deposition of Queen Liliuokalani and the formation of a provisional government, under the influence of American residents.

USS Lexington (CV-2) completes a 30-day period in which she furnishes electricity to Tacoma, Wash., in an emergency arising from a drought that causes a water shortage and hydro-electric power is not available in the Puget Sound area.

TBF aircraft from Composite Squadron Thirteen (VC-13) of carrier Guadalcanal (CVE 60) sink the German submarine U-544 north-west of the Azores.

USS Otter (DE 210), USS Hubbard (DE 211), USS Hayter (DE 212) and USS Varian (DE 798) sink German submarine U 248 north-northeast of the Azores.

Amphibious Command Ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) is commissioned.

Operation Desert Storm begins to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. After three months, Iraq requests a cease fire, which is formalized by the United Nations in April.

Littoral Combat Ship USS Independence (LCS 2) is commissioned.