Today in U.S. Naval History – October 25

1812 – USS United States (Capt. Stephen Decatur) captures HMS Macedonian.

1924 – Airship, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), completes round trip transcontinental cruise that began on October 7.

1944 – During Battle of Leyte Gulf in Battle of Surigao Straits, U.S. battleships execute the maneuver of “crossing the tee” of the Japanese forces. In Battle Off Samar, escort carriers, destroyers and destroyer escorts heroically resist attacks of Japanese Center Force. In Battle Off Cape Engano, 3rd Fleet carriers attack Japanese Northern Force sinking several small carriers.

1950 – Chinese Communist Forces launch first offensive in Korea.

1966 – Operation Sea Dragon logistics interdiction began.

1983 – U.S. Marines and U.S. Army troops land on Grenada to evacuate U.S. citizens threatened by the island’s unstable political situation.

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

Today in U.S. Naval History – October 25

1812 – USS United States (Capt. Stephen Decatur) captures HMS Macedonian.

1924 – Airship, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), completes round trip transcontinental cruise that began on October 7.

1944 – During Battle of Leyte Gulf in Battle of Surigao Straits, U.S. battleships execute the maneuver of “crossing the tee” of the Japanese forces. In Battle Off Samar, escort carriers, destroyers and destroyer escorts heroically resist attacks of Japanese Center Force. In Battle Off Cape Engano, 3rd Fleet carriers attack Japanese Northern Force sinking several small carriers.

1950 – Chinese Communist Forces launch first offensive in Korea.

1966 – Operation Sea Dragon logistics interdiction began.

1983 – U.S. Marines and U.S. Army troops land on Grenada to evacuate U.S. citizens threatened by the island’s unstable political situation.

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

For harried executives, a marine cruise can offer an escape form a life of tight schedules and constant pressure. The need for a relaxing but luxurious environment was well known to the designers of M/V Royale Floatel. The Vijai Marine Shipyards, designed and carried out the conversion, from a dumb pontoon, of the Royale Floatel to a 14-room all-suite, high-end luxury floating hotel. Delivered to the owners in 2013, it is first in its segment in the country under IRS class.

With a capacity for 60 passengers, the 60.2- x 13-meter vessel is fitted with a spa featuring Jacuzzi hot-tubs and claims a Five Star Hotel rating with the largest room size in India. The parent company, Delta Corp. Ltd., operates a large floating casino on the Mandovi River in Goa and the Royale Flotel will cruise the same river at a relaxing eight knots. On their web site (deltacorp.in) they explain that, “The first of its kind in Goa, Royale Floatel will be an exclusive, all-suite, luxury hotel anchored in the Mandovi River in Goa, with exclusive services for our VIP guests.”

A pair of Cummins NTA855M diesels, each delivering 325 HP at 1,800 RPM through ZF gears to turn 1.1-meter propellers, provides propulsion power for the floating hotel. Three more Cummins NTA855DM engines will power 330-kva gensets to meet the vessel’s extensive electrical requirements.