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This Week in Maritime History: The U.S. Celebrates 79th Annual National Maritime Day

Published May 21, 2012 3:18 PM by The Maritime Executive

MAY 22, 1933: FIRST U.S. NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

On May 20, 1933 Congress designated May 22 of each year as “National Maritime Day,” honoring the United States Merchant Marine that has served the nation in times of peace and war. The date marks the day that the Savannah steam ship set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power, back in 1819.  Each year on May 22nd  the U.S. honors the contributions of U.S. mariners to America’s safety, security and economic prosperity.
   
MAY 23, 1701: CAPTAIN KIDD IS HANGED FOR PIRACY AND MURDER

Infamous privateer, William Kidd, was hanged on this day at London’s Execution Dock. Kidd was a sea captain from Scotland who settled in New York with his wife. New York, a colony at that time, would frequently call upon Kidd to rid the coast of enemy privateers. In 1995 Kidd was commissioned to defend English ships from pirates in the Red Sea. In 1969 he sailed from to New York onboard the ADVENTURE GALLEY to the Indian Ocean. The mission failed. But in 1698, the QUEDAGH MERCHANT, an Indian vessel with an English captain, carrying gold, jewels, silk, sugar and guns was taken. Word broke that Kidd had captured the vessel and suspicion arose that he had turned to piracy. Suspicions were confirmed when he sailed the vessel to St. Mary’s, Madagascar, a famous pirate haven. 

MAY 23, 1941: CAPTAIN LORD LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN SUNK BY GERMAN DIVE-BOMBERS

Capt. Mountbatten was second cousin of King George VI of Britain and held rank in all three of the country’s military services simultaneously. The captain’s ship, HMS Kelly, was one of several British ships sunk off the coast of Crete by German dive-bombers. Twenty-four bombers attacked the ship killing 130 crewmembers. Captain Mountbatten was on the bridge when the ship finally turned over. He managed to swim ashore and took control of search and rescue. The captain would later accept the surrender of Japanese land forces within Southeast Asia.