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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Today in Naval History
August 5
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1864 - Rear Adm. David Farragut navigated through the strongly defended channel into Mobile Bay, delivering his famous order: Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!
On This Day

1832

USS Potomac, becomes the first U.S. Navy ship to entertain royalty, King and Queen of Sandwich Islands.

1858

The last bit of cable is laid by USS Niagara and British ship Agamemnon to complete the first trans-Atlantic cable. Niagara's boats carried the end of the cable ashore at Brills Mouth Island, Newfoundland, and the same day Agamemnon landed her end of the cable at England. The first message flashed across August 16 when Queen Victoria sent a cable to President James Buchanan.

1864

Rear Admiral David Farragut navigated through the strongly defended channel into Mobile Bay. During the battle, Farragut delivered his famous order: "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

1882

The first US Navy steel warships (USS Atlanta, USS Boston, USS Chicago and USS Dolphin), are authorized by Congress, beginning the New Navy. Subsequently known as the A, B, C, D ships, they are built at Chester, Pa. USS Dolphin is commissioned first in 1885, followed by USS Atlanta (1886), USS Boston (1887), and USS Chicago (1889).

1921

The Yangtze River Patrol Force is established as a command under the Asiatic Fleet. The force serves in the area until December 1941 when the force is disestablished with many of the ships captured, or scuttled, and the crews taken prisoner by the Japanese.

1944

USS Barbel (SS 316) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship, Miyako Maru, off Tokuno Jima while USS Cero (SS 225) attacks a Japanese convoy off Minanao and sinks oiler, Tsurumi, in Davao Gulf. Also on this date, PBY aircraft sinks small Japanese cargo vessel No.2, Eiko Maru, off Taoelahat.

1990

Operation Sharp Edge begins, with the Navy and Marines evacuating U.S. citizens and foreign nationals from Liberia during its civil war.