SeaWaves Today in History January 20, 2007 ********************************************************************* January 20 1783 - Hostilities cease between Great Britain and the United States after American signing of the Treaty of Paris in the State House in Annapolis. With all of the north excepting New York town in colonial hands, and the south lost after the collapse of Cornwallis at Yorktown in October of 1781, it was apparent to the British forces left in New York -- and politicians in Britain -- that there was no point to further efforts. Though unofficial, a state of armistice spread rapidly, and except for a handful of quite petty confrontations by hardliners, hostilities practicably ceased. Succeeding months were spent sending people back and forth, as envoys from both sides hammered out a peace. Meantime, though the Continental Army retained a formal posture of existence, and the British army in New York retained its occupying status, nothing happened. People simply waited it out 1841 - Hong Kong was ceded by China, in the "Unequal Treaties," after the Opium Wars, and was first occupied by Britain 1870 - Gunboat Koheroa launched for service on Waikato River 1887 - US Senate approved an agreement to lease Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as a naval base 1903 - Theodore Roosevelt issues Executive Order placing Midway Islands under jurisdiction of the Navy Department 1914 - International Ice Patrol Convention signed 1914 - School for naval air training opens in Pensacola 1915 - Battleship USS Idaho laid down 1918 - The Turkish battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim and light cruiser Midilli (formerly the German ships Goeben and Breslau, and still largely manned by German crews) sortied from the Dardanelles in a surprise attack on the Allied naval forces blockading the area. Sopwith Baby aircraft from seaplane tender HMS Ark Royal attacked the German ships. Two Royal Navy monitors, used to bombard the Turkish positions - HMS Raglan and HMS M-28 - were sunk, and the remaining British and French ships, which should have been capable of dealing decisively with the attack, reacted too slowly. Only the destroyers Lizard and Tigress properly engaged the enemy, despite being very much inferior in firepower. The two raiders paid a heavy price nonetheless, suffering multiple hits in the Allied minefields. Midilli/Breslau sank, and Yavuz/Goeben had to beach herself for repair 1919 - Destroyer USS Buchanan commissioned 1921 - Cruiser HMS Chatham reports for duty with the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy 1928 - Destroyer FS Le Mars commissioned 1938 - In the night, Rolfe M. Forsyth, a 28-year-old Canadian, drowns near the Great Northern Dock, Pier 40, while trying to blow up the Japanese motor vessel Hiye Maru. His accomplice, George H. Partridge, informs police that there is an unexploded time bomb floating somewhere in Smith Cove. Police locate and dismantle the bomb. It contains 369 sticks of dynamite and 32 blasting caps connected to a crude timing device that stopped just two minutes before it was set to explode. After confessing to his part in the plot, Partridge is taken to Tacoma where he shows detectives where to find an additional 460 pounds of dynamite that he and Forsyth dumped into the Puyallup River. Partridge tells authorities that Forsyth outraged by Japan’s invasion of China, planned to protest the war by sinking Japanese ships exporting scrap metal and materials of military value from Pacific Coast ports. The case goes to trial and Partridge, claiming he feared for his safety and was acting under duress, is acquitted. It is one of the strangest incidents in the history of Seattle’s waterfront 1940 - United States protests British treatment of American shipping in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, freighter SS Examelia is detained at Gibraltar by British authorities & the passenger liner SS Washington, bound for Genoa, Italy, is detained only a few hours before being allowed to proceed 1940 - Tanker Caroni River struck a mine laid the day before by U-34 & sank in Falmouth Bay, while carrying out paravane trials and defensive armament tests. The master, 42 crewmembers, Cdr J.G. Bradshaw RN and eleven naval personnel were picked up by the Falmouth lifeboat and a naval cutter and landed at Falmouth 1940 - SS Ekatontarchos Dracoulis sunk by U-44 at 40.20N, 10.07W - Grid CG 1963 1940 - At 2026, SS Miranda was hit by one torpedo from U-57 & sank within five minutes about 30 miles NW of Peterhead. The three survivors were picked up by a unknown vessel and taken to Kirkwall 1940 - Winston Churchill, First Lord of British Admiralty, warned European neutrals and asked them to join Allies 1940 - U-86, U-201, U-434 laid down 1940 - Submarine HNLMS O-22 launched 1940 - Submarine HMS Thorn laid down 1941 - SS Florian sunk by U-94 42 miles SE of Iceland 1941 - U-235, U-236, U-237, U-238, U-239, U-240, U-268, U-269, U-270, U-271, U-272, U-273, U-305, U-306, U-307, U-308, U-341, U-342, U-343, U-344, U-363, U-364, U-365, U-366, U-391, U-392, U-393, U-394, U-396, U-397, U-398, U-417, U-418, U-419, U-420, U-469, U-470, U-471, U-472, U-473, U-635, U-636, U-637, U-638, U-639, U-640, U-641, U-642, U-643, U-644, U-645, U-646, U-669, U-670, U-671, U-672, U-673, U-674, U-777, U-778, U-779, U-821, U-822, U-841, U-842, U-843, U-844, U-845, U-846, U-847, U-848, U-849, U-850, U-851, U-852 ordered 1941 - Minesweeping trawler HMS Relonzo mined & sunk off Liverpool 1941 - Churchill telegrams to Roosevelt inviting him to inspect the new battleship, King George V, which is bringing the new ambassador, Lord Halifax, to Annapolis 1941 - ASW trawler HMS Bressay launched 1941 - ASW trawler HMS Sword Dance commissioned 1942 - Destroyer USS Edsall & minesweeper HMAS Deloraine attack submarine HIJMS I-124 off Darwin 1942 - 90 carrier-based aircraft from HIJMS Akagi, Kaga, Shokaku & Zuikaku attack Rabaul on New Britain Island, causing serious damage 1942 - A Japanese convoy is reported in Makassar Strait, bound for Balikpapan, Borneo 1942 - Dutch Dornier flying boat spotted a small vessel off the coast of Samboaja, heading for Balikpapan, Borneo. The flying-boat landed near the vessel, the motor boat Parsifal, and took aboard two Dutch officers captured on Tarakan Island & three Japanese soldier-interpreters and flew them to Balikpapan. They carried a message from the Japanese to the Balikpapan Garrison Commander, demanding that the oil refinery installations there be handed over to the Japanese Army without being damaged; this offer was refused by the Dutch commander and the three Japanese were returned to their outfits 1942 - USS PT-31, damaged by grounding on reef north of Mayagao Point, Bataan, the day before, is burned by crew to prevent capture 1942 - The US Second Marine Brigade arrives at Pago Pago on Tutuila Island, America Samoa, in transports SS Lurline, SS Matsonia, and SS Monterey, along with cargo ship USS Jupiter & ammunition ship USS Lassen to protect that portion of the important lifeline to Australia. Cover for the operation is provided by Task Force 8 (TF 8) formed around aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) formed around aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. The two carrier task forces then set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter 1942 - Submarine USS S-36 ran aground on Taka Bakang Reef at the south end of Makassar Strait. No hands lost 1942 - At 1830, U-552 began shelling SS Maro; firing 126 rounds of 88-mm rounds until the ship sank about 2000. The vessel had been in Convoy ON-53, which was scattered in gale on 12 January 1942 - Corvettes HMCS Rimouski, Trail & Trillium departed St John's as escort for Convoy SC-65 for Londonderry 1942 - Submarine HMS Triumph believed lost on Italian mines off Milo Island, SE of Greece with all hands 1942 - Submarine USS S-36 stranded on Taka Bakang Reef in the Makassar Strait, Dutch East Indies and despite lengthy attempts they could not get the boat free again. The crew was rescued by the Dutch motor launch Attla 1942 - U-421, U-673, U-849 laid down 1942 - Submarine USS Guardfish launched 1942 - Submarine USS Sawfish laid down 1943 - Between 1633 & 1635, U-453 fired four torpedoes at Convoy KMS-7 off Cape Tenès and heard three detonations and one ship sinking. The only ship hit & sunk was the Jean Jadot, which carried 323 soldiers. 6 dead and 397 survivors 1943 - Chile severed diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy, and Japan 1943 - U-66 landed espionage agent Jean Lallart on the coast of Mauritania near Cape Blanc. Lallart and the two crewmen who rowed him ashore (Bootsmaat Wagner and Matrosenobergefreiter Daschkey) were immediately captured by the French. After waiting in vain for over 13 hours for the crewmen to return, Kptlt Markworth was forced to abandon his crewmen to whatever fate they had suffered. Ten days later Markworth learned of the capture of his men 1943 - U-553 sent its last radio-message when it reported - "Sehrohr unklar" (Periscope not clear). She was never heard from again 1943 - Escort carrier USS Midway laid down 1943 - Destroyers USS Paul Hamilton & Twiggs laid down 1943 - U-1301 laid down 1943 - U-311 launched 1943 - Submarine HMS Untiring launched 1943 - Submarine USS Capelin launched 1943 - Destroyer escort USS Brennan commissioned 1943 - U-553 missing & presumed sunk in North Atlantic 1944 - At 2039, the unescorted SS Fort Buckingham was hit by two torpedoes from U-188 NW of the Maldive Islands and sank within 10 minutes. The master, 30 crewmembers and seven gunners were lost. Six survivors were picked up by the British SS Moorby and landed at Fremantle on 29 January. 28 crewmembers and nine gunners were picked up on 5 February by the Norwegian SS Ora & later transferred to destroyer HMS Redoubt & landed at Bombay on 9 February. Eight survivors were rescued by the Norwegian tanker Kongsdal and landed at Melbourne on 22 February. Fort Buckingham was a North Sands-class freighter built by Davie Shipbuilding and Repair Co., Ltd., at Lauzon, PQ She was completed in Feb 43. Fort Buckingham was one of 90 North Sands-class freighters built in Canada for American order under the Hyde Park Declaration and subsequently provided to Great Britain under the Lend-Lease Agreement. Joseph Constantine & Sons of Middlesborough, York, managed the ship for the British government. Twenty-two of these ships were sunk and another eight were damaged. U-188 was a long-range Type IXD/40 submarine built by AG Weser, at Bremen. She was commissioned on 05 Aug 42, OLt. Siegfried Lüdden, CO. U-188 conducted three patrols and compiled a record of nine ships sunk for a total of 50,915 tons and damaged one ship for a further 9,977 tons. U-188 was scuttled on 20 Aug 44 at Bordeaux, France. She was raised and broken up for scrap in 1947. Siefried Lüdden was born in 1916 at Neubrandenburg, Stargard. He joined the navy in 1936. After liaison duty with the Luftwaffe, in Apr 40, he was attached to the U-boat Headquarters while undergoing conversion training. Lüdden served briefly as a Watch Officer in the Type IID training boat U-141 and then on the staff of the 24th U-boat Flotilla before he was selected in Feb 41 as the ADC to the commander of the 1st U-boat Flotilla. Whether he was particularly suited for this duty or was following the movements of a senior officer is uncertain, but Lüdden also served subsequently as the ADC to the commander of the 3rd and the 5th U-boat Flotillas. From Sep 41 to May 42, he served as the First Watch Officer in the Type IXC boat U-129, commanded by the ‘ace’ KptLt. Nicolai Clausen, Knight’s Cross (24 ships for 74,807 tons). OLt. Lüdden was selected for command and underwent his U-boat Commander’s Course in May-Jun 42. He was appointed to commission U-188 on 05 Aug 42, at the age of 26. Lüdden conducted three patrols in U-188, sinking the Town-class destroyer HMS Beverley (ex-USS Branch) on his first patrol. His second patrol took him to the Far East, where he embarked 100 tons of strategic materials and transported them back to France. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross on 11 Feb 44 (the 111th presented in the U-boat Force). Lüdden completed his tour of duty with U-188 in Aug 40 and was assigned to the staff of the 24th U-boat Flotilla. He was assigned to U-boat Headquarters Staff in Nov 44. KptLt. Lüdden was promoted to FKpt. on 1 Jan 45 but was killed only 12 days later in a fire onboard the accommodations ship Daresalam in Kiel. Siefried Lüdden sank nine ships for a total of 50,915 tons and damaged one ship for a further 9,977 tons, ranking him as the 88th highest-scoring U-boat ‘ace’ of the war 1944 - Tug HMCS Marysville assigned to Prince Rupert BC 1944 - Frigate USS Pueblo launched 1944 - Destroyer escort USS Samuel B Roberts launched 1944 - The Canadian-built, British-registered cargo ship Fort Louisbourg (7,130 GRT) was damaged by bombs while alongside the Surrey Commercial Docks, at London. Two of her crewmembers were lost in this incident. Fort Louisbourg was a North Sands-class freighter built by Canadian Vickers Ltd., at Montreal, PQ She was completed in Apr 42. Fort Louisbourg was one of 90 North Sands-class freighters built in Canada for American order under the Hyde Park Declaration and subsequently provided to Great Britain under the Lend-Lease Agreement. The ship was managed by Wm. Thompson & Co. (The Ben Line), of Edinburgh, Scotland, for the British government. Twenty-two of these ships were sunk and another seven were damaged. 1944 - Frigate HMS Cayman & Nadder commissioned 1944 - Escort carrier HMS Smiter commissioned 1944 - Frigate SAS Transvaal laid down 1944 - Minesweeper USS Implicit commissioned 1944 - Destroyer HMS Terpsichore commissioned 1944 - U-263 is sunk in the near La Rochelle, France, in position 46.06N, 01.36W, during a deep dive trials. 51 dead (all hands lost). During an attack on two merchantmen on 20 Nov 1942, convoy escorts had dropped some 119 depth charges on the boat causing so much damage that Nölke had to abort his mission and return to France. During the return on the 24th an RAF 233 Sqn Hudson straddled the boat with 4 depth charges causing extensive damage to the already weak boat. She was told to head for El Ferrol, Spain but managed to limp back to La Rochelle, with assistance from the returning U-511 and covered by Ju-88 aircraft, reaching the base on the 29th. She then spent 13 months in repair and rebuilding. Her loss occurred when she was performing tests after the repairs had been completed, but not (it would now seem) at great depth, since U-263 has been located lying at 27m depth near La Rochelle, France and is a dive site 1944 - U-321, U-773, U-1052 commissioned 1945 - Auxiliary minelayer HMS Agamemnon conversion to Amenities Ship by Victoria Machinery Depot ordered 1945 - Minesweeper HMS Welcome commissioned 1945 - U-3033 launched 1945 - U-3025 commissioned 1945 - Soviet destroyer Razjarennyj damaged by U-293 at 70.00N, 32.10E - Grid AC 8574 1945 - Lt. Charles Arthur "Bones" BURK, RCNVR, Commanding Officer of MTB-491, was awarded his second bar to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). The citation, awarded as per the Canada Gazette of 20 January 1945 and the London Gazette of 26 December 1944 read: "For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy." Charles Burk was from Toronto. He enlisted in the navy at HMCS York as in 1939 after graduating from the U of T. His basic training was conducted in Toronto and, in 1940, Ordinary Seaman Burke was sent overseas for further training with the RN in Cornwall. After training at Davenport Barracks, he was posted to HMS Newmarket , a USN Wickes-class lend-lease destroyer (ex-USS Robinson). Burk commissioned from the ranks on 30 Feb 40 and was sent to HMS King Alfred for officer training. Next, he was sent to St. Christopher for Coastal Forces training. His first operational assignment was the Third Watch Officer in MGB-101, which was engaged in air-sea rescue operations. Next, he was posted to MGB-14 as First Lieutenant. His first command was MGB-17. He subsequently commanded MTB-442, MTB-461 (28 Feb 44 to 17 Sep 44) and MTB-491 (04 Oct 44 to 29 Jan 45). He also commanded the 29th Canadian MTB Flotilla, which patrolled off Le Havre on D-Day. He received man decorations and commendations. His first was a Mention-in-Dispatches on 04 May 43. The citation in the London Gazette read: "For courage and devotion to duty in action with E-Boats." Next, he was awarded his first DSC on 02 May 44, while in command of MTB 461. The Citation (awarded in the Canada Gazette of 27 May 44) read: "For gallant and distinguished services in Light Coastal Craft in successful engagements with the enemy." He received his first Bar to the DSC on 14 Nov 44. The Citation (awarded in the Canada Gazette of 20 Jan 45) read: "For courage, leadership and determination in close action with the enemy while serving in Light Coastal Craft." He received his second Bar to the DSC on 20 Jan 45 and his second Mention-in-Dispatches on 30 Jan 45. The Citation (awarded as per the Canada Gazette of 03 Feb 45) read: "For courage and determination in an attack on an enemy convoy while serving in Light Coastal Forces." Charles Burk was released from the service in the rank of LCdr. on 25 Apr 45. After the war, he was a National President of the Naval Officers Association of Canada and President of the Montreal Branch of NOAC. Charles Burk died in June 1997, at the age of 81, in Montreal, Quebec 1948 - Destroyer HMCS Athabaskan commissioned 1948 - Establishment of US Persian Gulf Area Command (later changed to Middle East Force in August 1948) 1950 - Battleship USS Kentucky launched Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The ship, completed only up to her second deck, was launched to clear the drydock so that USS Missouri could undergo repairs for damage received when she went aground on 17 January 1950. Kentucky’s bow was transported on a large crane barge from Newport News, Virginia, to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, circa May-June 1956. It was used to repair USS Wisconsin, which had been damaged in a collision on 6 May 1956. The never completed Kentucky was towed away to Boston Metals Company, Baltimore for scrapping, 31 October 1958. During the late 1940 and early 1950s, the US studied several possible options for completing Kentucky; none of which came to fruition 1954 - "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial," a play by Herman Wouk based on part of his novel "The Caine Mutiny," opened on Broadway 1968 - Baby born aboard Washington State ferry Quinault 1969 - USS Kitty Hawk port call Subic Bay 1970 - USS Coral Sea port call Subic Bay 1974 - USS Oriskany port call Subic Bay 1981 - Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan 1986 - Britain and France announced plans to build the Channel Tunnel 1991 - One Iraqi SCUD lands in Gulf waters off Dhahran 1991 - DOD announces that, to-date, 19 anti-ship mines have been discovered and destroyed in the northern Arabian Gulf. DOD also announces that there have been 6,968 intercepts and 830 boardings 1991 - DOD announces that Iraqi artillery battery was destroyed by USN A-6 and USAF A-10 aircraft 1991 - SECNAV activates 498 additional Naval reservists from 26 units 2004 - Visit of the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov to India to sign a $2 billion US dollar deal covering the complete refit & transfer of carrier Admiral Gorshkov, sale of 28 Mig-29k fighters & 6 Kamov-31 ASW helicopters 2004 - RRF Cape Decision activated 2005 - At 0128 Stornoway Coastguard were alerted to the plight of the fishing vessel Ocean Gain with two crew on board who reported that their vessel was taking water and that they were in need of urgent assistance. They reported that they were both wearing lifejackets and had an Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on board. They were advised to switch it on to ensure the satellite would pick up the beacon's signal in order for the Coastguard to monitor their position electronically. Coastguard Rescue Helicopter Mike Uniform was diverted from an earlier incident which had involved the removal of a crewmember with a suspected heart attack from a Spanish owned but UK registered fishing vessel `Atlantic E' which had steamed to 150 miles west of Benbecula in order for the helicopter to winch the man aboard. With a doctor remaining on board, the helicopter crew then made a 'splash and dash' and dropped off the Spanish crewmember at Benbecula and took on some fuel before flying out to the Ocean Gain. In the meantime a dialogue was maintained with the fishing vessel crew by the Coastguard using VHF radio in order to get an accurate picture of the worsening situation as the vessel began to sink rapidly. An RAF Nimrod aircraft was also redirected from the earlier Atlantic E incident to target the vessel and provide top cover for the helicopter and any winching operations it might need to undertake. Barra all weather lifeboat was also requested to launch and a mayday signal was rebroadcast into the area to alert any other vessel which may have been able to assist. Various vessels reported they were some way away but were now proceeding. The Coastguard Tug Anglian Prince was also sent towards the scene. The weather this morning is North Westerly force 4 - 5 with one meter seas. At just before 0200 the signal was lost from the Ocean Gain and various attempts were made by the Coastguard to recommence communications, but to no avail. Uist and Barra Hospital were alerted for possible casualties. About 15 minutes later an intermittent 121.5 MHz signal was picked by the Nimrod aircraft close to the position last given by the fishing vessel, and at 0224 amid floating debris and fish boxes a liferaft was spotted by the Coastguard helicopter crew with the two crewmembers aboard waving and shouting and trying to attract attention. Upon arrival at Stornoway airport they were met by ambulance where one crewmember was mildly hypothermic and other uninjured 2005 - Hundreds of giant squid washed up on Orange County, California beaches, creating a scene more akin to "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" than "The O.C." The bug-eyed sea creatures, believed to be Humboldt squid, normally reside in deep water and only come to the surface at night. Why approximately 500 of them began washing up on the sands of Laguna Beach and Newport Beach on Tuesday isn't clear. Authorities said the squid - the biggest weighing 17 pounds - might have been pursuing bait fish and gotten too close to shore, or the tides might simply have carried them in 2005 - Stelmar Shipping Ltd. announced that the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Stelmar and Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. was approved by Stelmar shareholders at a special meeting held today in New York 2005 - Greyhawk Marine Group purchased Summerfield Boatworks in Fort Lauderdale FL from the owner / operator of 40+ years with the overall plan to create a first class mega yacht facility including premium covered slips accommodating yachts up to 130 feet in length. The initial design includes a yacht club atmosphere offering a five-star facility with state-of-the-art amenities; three-phase power, business center, yacht services, concierge and individual garage / offices accommodating both the owner and captain's needs. Renovation plans will be finalized with slips for sale offered exclusively by O'Flannery International, Inc. and realtor, Ginger Hornaday PA. The new Pier 17 marina and boatyard managed by Brad Tate, Regional Director of Flagship Marinas, will remain open for business and committed to quality assurance 2005 - MC Shipping Inc. sold four container vessels to a special purpose company formed by German finance house KGAL. The vessels are due to be delivered to KGAL within the next few days. The four vessels (Maersk Belawan, Maersk Brisbane, Maersk Barcelona and Ankara) which have been owned by the Company for over seven years secured an en bloc price of $30 million, approximately $17.5 million over their current book value. The vessels will continue on their charter to Maersk and as part of the transaction, the Company will make a minority investment in the acquisition company and maintain operational responsibilities for the vessels 2005 - The commander of US Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert directed that the commanding officer of USS San Francisco, Cdr Kevin Mooney, be reassigned pending the results of an investigation into the sub's grounding during operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. Mooney is reassigned to Submarine Squadron 15, based in Guam, pending the results of an investigation to determine the cause of the sub's grounding Jan 8, that resulted in the death of one sailor and injuries to 23 others. Cdr Andrew Hale, Submarine Squadron 15 deputy commander, will assume the duties as commanding officer of San Francisco 2005 - At 1920, Dover Coastguard were informed from the local Police Control Room about a report from a member of the public stating that they had seen two people who were in the water at Hastings either from a dinghy or belly boards, and that these people were in difficulty and appeared to be clinging to a dinghy. Both Hastings inshore and all weather lifeboats were requested to launch and three Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to the area to keep a visual watch from the shoreline. The teams also went to the area complete with searchlights to keep a watch on the surf line 2005 - The 1,870-passenger cruise ship Aurora, operated by P&O Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, suffered a technical problem with its propulsion system that has forced the cancellation of its 103-day, 2005 world cruise. Passengers on the affected voyage are being provided refunds and future cruise discounts. The company expects the vessel will return to service prior to the date it was to end its world cruise and anticipates scheduling revised shorter replacement cruises 2005 - A South Korean maritime police boat crossed the tense inter-Korean border on the East Sea (Sea of Japan) Thursday enroute to where a South Korean cargo vessel sank with 18 crewmen aboard, police said. The 2,826-ton freighter, loaded with steel frames, was heading to Qingdao, China from Russia's far eastern port of Vladivostok when it went down in high waves off North Korea's east coast around 0630 police said 2005 - United States Attorney Karin J. Immergut announced the indictment and conviction of the Pacific & Atlantic Corporation, operators of a 473-foot bulk carrier ship. As a result of a Coast Guard investigation, the company pled guilty to operating a vessel that maintained a faulty Oil Record Book, the ship's log of oil disposal, a felony violation of 33 USC. 1908(a) 2005 - Lawyer for families of crewmembers who died on nuclear submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea in August 2000 filed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg 2005 - HMS Endurance, the Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol vessel, paused briefly yesterday on her long passage to Antarctica to meet up with solo yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur in her trimaran B&Q. The two vessels passed far out in the South Atlantic, 600 miles East of Rio de Janeiro 2006 - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Southeast Alaska hosts a town meeting in Petersburg at the city council chambers at 1900 2006 - Rear Admiral William E. Landay will succeed Rear Admiral Jay M. Cohen as Chief of Naval Research during a ceremony at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC. Rear Admiral Cohen is ONR’s longest-serving commander, concluding nearly six years as the 20th Chief of Naval Research. His successor, Rear Admiral Landay, was the Program Executive Officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) before coming to ONR. Landay will now assume the management of the science and technology programs of the Navy and Marine Corps, from basic research through manufacturing technologies 2006 - USCGC Polar Star departs homeport of Seattle for Antarctica as requested by the National Science Foundation to provide support to the Russian Icebreaker Krasin after the vessel recently experienced mechanical problems. Polar Star, a 399-foot polar class icebreaker with a 134-person crew, will transit directly to Antarctica’s McMurdo Station arriving in approximately 30 days. Polar Star has been on 48-hour standby in Seattle since the beginning of the austral summer in case it was needed for Antarctic support. Krasin has opened a channel through the ice into McMurdo Station and is currently grooming the channel. Although Krasin will most likely complete the mission, the National Science Foundation took the prudent step of calling in Polar Star due to the vulnerability of Krasin to further mechanical difficulty and the short window remaining in the Antarctic summer season 2006 - Senator Robert Hill resigns as Australian Defense Minister 2006 - The names of Australia's new large amphibious ships and Air Warfare Destroyers will be named after Australian cities with close links with Navy heritage. Senator Hill said that the Chief of Navy made the recommendation for the names after careful consideration and taking into account the considerable public interest in the naming process. The Government submitted the names to the Governor General for approval, which has now occurred. Senator Hill said that is was a great honor to announce the two large amphibious ships will be named HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide and the Air Warfare Destroyers will be named HMAS Hobart, HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Sydney 2006 - Loaded containers on the grounded German-owned containership APL Panama are likely to remain stranded onboard at least until the end of next week, after another attempt to free it from soft sand off Ensenada failed. The 2001-built, 52,250 dwt, 4,038 TEU containership, owned by Mare Britannicum Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, has remained grounded since the casualty on Christmas Day, which occurred as the ship went adrift 1.5 miles outside the Mexican port while awaiting a pilot. Mike Hanson, of shipowner representative MTI Network, said the 1,800 loaded boxes contained a quantity of electronic goods and "other goods routinely carried by the line". There were also some reefer containers, which were in "good shape" thanks to generator sets deployed by the owner 2006 - The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included the storied ocean liner United States (SSUS) among its 2006 nominees for its prestigious "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" list. The nearly 1000-foot ship still holds the North Atlantic speed record it took on its maiden voyage in 1952 and is considered by historians as among the most important engineering feats of the Twentieth Century 2006 - Diana Shipping Inc. announced that it has entered into time charters with Cargill International S.A. for two of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the Protefs and the Calipso, for a period of 11-13 months and 23-25 months, respectively. The charters are scheduled to commence on February 2, 2006 and January 21, 2006, respectively 2006 - Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) announced the delivery of the 1993-built 298,900 dwt double-hull VLCC La Prudencia. The vessel has been immediately employed by a major oil company earning approximately $75,000 per day for a 50-day voyage. La Prudencia is the first delivery from the five vessel transaction announced on January 12, 2006, and will be followed by the 2004-built 37,532 dwt product tanker Delphi later this quarter 2006 - Rear Adm. Stephen E. Johnson is being assigned as director for Strategic Systems Programs, Washington DC. Johnson is currently serving as commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Washington DC 2006 - With dozens of boats reaching Yemen this week, some of them bearing corpses and evidence of horrific struggles, the United Nations refugee agency today renewed its appeal for action to stem the flow of people who fall prey to smugglers in their flight from Somalia and Ethiopia 2006 - US Navy announces T-AKE 3 will be named USNS Alan Shepard 2006 - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has announced that construction of the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy will be completed this year 2006 - Ukraine's charge d'affairs in Moscow was summoned to the ministry on Friday and handed a note of reply to Ukraine's demands to stop the operation of the Russian dredge Urengoi on the Kerch Strait, because it allegedly operates on the state border between Russia and Ukraine 2006 - Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said that Black Sea fleet ships went out to sea from their Sevastopol base to take part in the international Active Effort maneuvers 2006 - Crews aboard 47-foot motor lifeboats from Coast Guard Station Boothbay and Rockland along with an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod search the areas between Port Clyde Town Landing in Maine and Monhegan Island, Maine for 45 - year old Micheal Lord aboard his 16-foot sail boat after he was reported overdue to Coast Sector Field Office South West Harbor. Lord got underway this morning at noon on his boat described as a red open cockpit daysailor and was expected back this evening. He is reported to be an experienced sailor and has lifejackets and a hand held radio 2006 - Keppel FELS Limited has secured a repeat order for an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENSCO International Incorporated (ENSCO). The total project value is approximately US$338 million. The semi is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter 2009. To be named ENSCO 8501, this rig is similar to the first semi, ENSCO 8500, which ENSCO ordered with Keppel FELS in September 2005. Both semis will have the capability of drilling in water depths of up to 8,500 ft, and can be readily upgraded to 10,000 ft water-depth if required. Each rig is fitted with a DPS2 dynamic positioning system, eight 2600KW thrusters and a single conventional drilling derrick system, with accommodation for up to 150 persons 2006 - USCG commenced Operation Taconite today after receiving a request from the M/V Algosar for an escort through approximately 6 inches of ice on the St. Mary’s River. Operation Taconite is the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation, encompassing Lake Superior, St. Mary’s River, and the Straits of Mackinac. As a result of the operation the Captain of the Port may close or open channels, as ice conditions require. Due consideration is given to the protection of the marine environment, waterway improvements, aids to navigation, the need for cross channel traffic (e.g. ferries), the availability of icebreakers, and the safety of the island residents who use naturally formed ice bridges for transportation to and from the mainland. Although existing ice conditions do not necessitate the level of Coast Guard icebreaking operations that were required in previous years, the Coast Guard will continue to monitor ice formation and conduct ice breaking operations as conditions require. Operation Taconite brings about additional measures to both shipping traffic and general public. Additional measures include restricting tanker transits to daylight only with escorts, reducing speeds by 2 M.P.H. in various parts of the river, and placing additional reporting points throughout the operation’s area of responsibility. Coast Guard would like to remind all recreational ice users to plan their activity carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay away from shipping channels. Recreational users and island residents should stay tuned to local media resources for the status of channel closures 2006 - Maersk Derince (54,193 grt, built 2006) Korea for Los Angeles, on maiden voyage, with 5,089 TEU, lost 52 containers over the side. The vessel loaded twice at Busan, with intermediate call at Gwangyang. Maersk Derince sailed Busan Jan 5 and arrived Long Beach Jan 15, according the LMIU AIS, was in lat 34 4.65N, long 119 16.37W, at 0658, Jan 18 ============================================================= Sources: Colton Shipping Report, NOAA, MARAD, Marine Digest, Leo Pettipas, Kommersant, Samuel Loring Morison, Frank Pierce Young, Navy Times, Naval Institute Proceedings, www.uboat.net, Andrew Etherington, John Nicholas, US Naval Historical Center, Ministry of Defense, US Coast Guard, Thomas N. Carlson, Jack Arrowsmith, Allan Snowie, Ken Hansen, Andy Barber, John Weiss, Jack McKillop, Bernard de Neumann, Sympatico Today in History, Washington History Link, Lloyds List, Fairplay, New York Times, I-Newswire and other news sources in the public domain. Additions, submissions and corrections are always welcomed. ============================================================= Today in History Archives at: http://www.seawaves.com/newsletters/today_in_history_archive.htm Copyright 2007 Seawaves Publishing Inc ISSN 1710-6966 Photos courtesy of US Naval Historical Center, US Coast Guard Historical Center, Wikipedia Encyclopedia or Naval Museum of Manitoba unless otherwise noted. Images may be subject to copyright. Ask before you right-click.