80 years ago today, on 20 December 1944, USCGC Mackinaw - WAGB-83 (based on the Wind class of Coast Guard icebreakers) was commissioned with Cmdr Edwin J. Roland in command.
Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Mackinaw City, MI
82 years ago today, on 19 December 1943, Gato-class submarine USS Croaker (SS-246) was launched at Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT, sponsored by the wife of Admiral William H. P. Blandy.
Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Buffalo, NY
75 years ago today, on 19 December 1950, Lightship Columbia (WLV-604) was commissioned, and was stationed 5.3 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River beginning in April 1951.
Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria, OR
69 years ago today, on 19 December 1956, Dokkum-class minesweeper HNLMS Sittard (M830) was commissioned in Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands.
Now serving as Ex-Hr.Ms. Sittard M830 at Zeekadetkorps Harlingen, Netherlands
81 years ago today, on 18 December 1944, LST-542-class USS LST-1134 (USS Stark County as of 1955) was laid down at Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., Seneca, IL.
Transferred to Thailand as HTMS Pangan (LST-13) on 16 May 1966, and now a museum ship in Ko Pha-ngan district, Surat Thani, Thailand.
56 years ago today, on 18 December 1969, Indian Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine INS Kursura (S20) was commissioned at Riga, Soviet Union, Cdr A Auditto commanding.
Museum ship in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
93 years ago today, on 17 December 1931, the first fireboat powered by internal combustion engines, John J. Harvey was commissioned.
Fireboat John J. Harvey, New York, NY
56 years ago today, on 17 December 1969, Iowa-class battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) was decommissioned for a third time, by her CO Capt Robert Charles Peniston, with these words: "Rest well, yet sleep lightly; and hear the call, if again sounded, to provide firepower for freedom."
Battleship New Jersey, Camden, NJ
81 years ago today, on 16 December 1944, Tench-class submarine USS Torsk (SS-423) was commissioned with Cdr Bafford E. Lewellen in command.
USS Torsk SS-423 at Historic Ships in Baltimore, MD
80 years ago today, on 15 December 1945, Balao-class submarine USS Pampanito SS-383 was decommissioned.
San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, San Francsico, CA
