Naval History and Heritage Command

During the Civil War, Union paddle-wheelers Key West and Tawah encounter transports Undine and Venus, which the Confederates captured three days earlier on the Tennessee River. After a heated running engagement, Venus is retaken. Undine is badly damaged but manages to escape and gains the protection of Confederate batteries at Reynoldsburg Island, near Johnsonville, Tenn.

The protected cruiser Charleston runs aground on an uncharted reef near Camiguin Island north of Luzon. Wrecked beyond salvage, she is abandoned by her crew who make camp on a nearby island.

In the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, U.S. cruisers and destroyers of Task Force 39, commanded by Rear Adm. Aaron S. Merrill, turn back Japanese forces as they try to attack invasion shipping off Bougainville. This action, with its successful use of radar to manage U.S. forces, marks the end of Japan's previous advantage in night engagement.

USS Halibut (SS 232), USS Seahorse (SS 304), and USS Trigger (SS 237), all operating independently of each other, attack a Japanese convoy south of Honshu and sink five enemy vessels.

Aircraft from USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) and USS Oriskany (CVA 34) attack targets in the city of Pyongyang in the first of three major strikes against that city during a five day period.