Naval History and Heritage Command

The Continental Navy adopts the first uniforms for naval officers. The dress prescribed was extremely somber and reflected the attitude of the Congress to eliminate the ornate trappings evidenced in the Royal Navy and move towards a democratic society. The naval officers quickly rebelled and demanded a more ornate uniform with dark blue coat and tri-corner hat, colored facings, and cuffs with gold buttons and lace, a uniform strikingly similar to that of the Royal Navy.

During the Battle of the Virginia Capes, the French prevent the British fleet from entering the Chesapeake Bay to relieve Maj. Gen. Lord Cornwallis' army at Yorktown, Va. After a siege by American and French forces, Cornwallis is forced to surrender on Oct. 19, 1781, leading the British to abandon the effort to prevent American independence.

The schooner USS Enterprise captures the brig HMS Boxer off Portland, Maine in a 20-minute battle where both commanding officers die in battle.

The transport, USS Mount Vernon (ID# 4508), is torpedoed by German submarine U-82 off France. Thirty-six of her crew are killed and another 13 are injured, but damage control efforts contain her flooding and keep her underway.

The U.S. Asiatic Fleet arrives at Yokohama, Japan, to provide medical assistance and supplies after the Great Kanto earthquake, occurs just days prior. On Sept. 1, during the earthquake, Lt. j.g. Thomas J. Ryan rescues a woman from the burning Grand Hotel in Yokohama. For his "extraordinary heroism" on that occasion, he is awarded the Medal of Honor.

USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42), and four escorts visit Greece to underscore U.S. support for the Greek Government which faces a Communist insurgency.

During Operation Desert Shield, USS Acadia (AD 42) departs San Diego for the first war-time deployment of a male-female crew.