1812:	USS Constitution escapes from British squadron after 3 day chase off New Jersey
1886:	Atlanta, the first steel-hulled American cruiser armed with breechloading rifled guns, is commissioned.
1897:	LT Robert E. Peary departs on year long Arctic Expedition which makes many important discoveries, including one of largest meteorites, Cape York.
1918:	Armored cruiser USS San Diego sunk off Fire Island, NY by a mine laid by U-156.
1940:	President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs second Naval Expansion Act.