Joanna Colcord Dies (1960)On April 8, 2024 Joanna Carver Colcord (March 18, 1882 – April 8, 1960) was pioneering social worker, and author. Born at sea, she…
Inventor of the Naval Chronometer Born (1693)On April 5, 2024 John Harrison's H5 Chronometer Born today, April 3, 1693, John Harrison, the cantankerous Yorkshireman who would go on to invent…
United States Congress authorizes privateers to attack British vessels (1776)On April 5, 2024 Because it lacked sufficient funds to build a strong navy, the Continental Congress gives privateers permission to attack any and…
American Naval Hero Killed in Duel (1820)On March 22, 2024 Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN (1779-1820) U.S. Navy officer Stephen Decatur, hero of the Barbary Wars, is mortally wounded in a duel…
Mike Kennedy RemembranceOn February 28, 2024 Mike Kennedy, photo by Charlie Ipcar Southborough -- 1:30pm to 2:20pm Sunday April 21 GB (group participation, beginner friendly)Mike (1946-2023),…
French and British battle in the Indian OceanOn February 17, 2024 The Battle of Sadras, 16 February 1804 The worldwide implications of the American War for Independence are made clear on…
Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797)On February 14, 2024 The Battle of Cape St. Vincent (14 February 1797) was one of the opening battles of the Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808),…
Death of Sir Francis Drake (1596)On January 28, 2024 Francis Drake’s burial at sea off Portobello – 1883 bronze plaque by Joseph Boehm He died on 28 Jan, 1596…
First European Explorer Reaches Brazil (1500)On January 27, 2024 Spanish explorer Vicente Yanez Pinzon, who had commanded the Nina during Christopher Columbus’ first expedition to the New World, reaches…
Captain Cook Reaches Hawaii 18 Jan, 1778On January 18, 2024 The seventeen million dollar replica of James Cook's HMS Bark Endeavor sails toward San Diego's skyline. Cook's original vessel was…
Connecticut Sea Music Festival Announces 2024 LineupOn January 13, 2024 13 Jan 2024 - Essex, CT The operators of the Connecticut Sea Music Festival announced the performers lineup for this…
Don Sineti Dies 1/5/2023On January 5, 2024 Don Sineti Don Sineti , folksinger, songwriter, part-time sea chanteyman at historic Mystic Seaport Museum (with one of the most…
Herman Melville sails for the South Seas (3 Jan, 1841)On January 3, 2024 Herman Melville On January 3, 1841, Herman Melville ships out on the whaler Acushnet to the South Seas. Melville was…
USS Constitution defeats HMS Java (29 Dec 1812)On December 29, 2023 USS Constitution versus HMS Java On This Day - December 29, 1812 – USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) was sailing in…
Charles Darwin sets sail from England (27 Dec 1831)On December 27, 2023 British naturalist Charles Darwin sets out from Plymouth, England, aboard the HMS Beagle on a five-year surveying expedition of the southern Atlantic…
Roald Amundsen becomes first explorer to reach the South PoleOn December 14, 2023 Roald Amundsen's Ship On December 14, 1911, Norwegian Roald Amundsen becomes the first explorer to reach the South Pole, beating…
The Mary Celeste is spotted at sea (5 Dec 1872)On December 5, 2023 Mary Celeste The Mary Celeste, a ship whose crew mysteriously disappeared, is spotted at sea. The Dei Gratia, a small…
Ferdinand Magellan Reaches the Pacific (28 Nov 1520)On November 28, 2023 Magellan's Ship Victoria After sailing through the dangerous straits below South America that now bear his name, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand…
Blackbeard Killed off North Carolina (22 Nov 1718)On November 22, 2023 Blackbeard - Edward Teach Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard, is killed on November 22, 1718, off North Carolina’s Outer…
Whaleship Essex Sunk by Sperm Whale (20 Nov 1820)On November 20, 2023 "Thar she blows!" The American whaler Essex, which hailed from Nantucket, Massachusetts, is attacked by an 80-ton sperm whale 2,000…