Today in U.S. Naval history – November 18

1890 – USS Maine, first American battleship, is launched.

1922 – Cdr. Kenneth Whiting in a PT seaplane, makes first catapult launching from aircraft carrier, USS Langley, at anchor in the York River.

1962 – USS Currituck (AV-7) rescues 13 Japanese fishermen from their disabled fishing boat Seiyu Maru, which was damaged in Typhoon Karen.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.