Historical Events tagged with "atlantic"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

German U-Boat Attacks USS Greer

September 4th, 1941 83 years ago

A German U-boat attacked the USS Greer, marking a pivotal moment in naval engagements during World War II. The USS Greer, a destroyer escort, was patrolling the Atlantic when it encountered the U-652. After being attacked, the Greer returned fire, damaging the submarine. This incident underscored the increasing tensions between the United States and Germany prior to the U.S. entering the war.

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Military & Warfare

Sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck

May 27th, 1941 83 years ago

The German battleship Bismarck was sunk in the North Atlantic after a fierce naval battle with British forces. This marked a significant victory for the Royal Navy, as the Bismarck had previously posed a serious threat to Allied shipping. The ship was located and engaged by British ships, including the HMS Hood, which was sunk early in the confrontation. In the final assault, a torpedo from the aircraft of the British carrier Ark Royal disabled the Bismarck, rendering it unable to escape. Following this, British battleships closed in to deliver the final blows, leading to the battleship's sinking.

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Military & Warfare

Admiral Scheer Sinks HMS Jervis Bay

November 5th, 1940 84 years ago

The British armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay was sunk by the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer during a battle in the Atlantic Ocean. This encounter occurred while the Jervis Bay was escorting a convoy of merchant ships. Despite being heavily outgunned, the Jervis Bay engaged Admiral Scheer, creating a diversion that allowed most of the convoy to escape. The loss of the Jervis Bay marked a significant event in naval warfare, demonstrating the tactics of merchant vessels in defensive operations.

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Military & Warfare

HMS Nelson Struck by Mine Near Scotland

December 4th, 1939 85 years ago

On December 4, 1939, HMS Nelson was struck by a mine laid by U-31 off the Scottish coast. This incident resulted in the battleship sustaining significant damage, leading to its required repairs. The ship was laid up until August 1940, affecting naval operations in the early stages of World War II. The mine strike highlighted the dangers faced by naval vessels during the conflict and emphasized the threat posed by enemy submarines and mines in the Atlantic.

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Military & Warfare

UK and France Blockade Germany Begins

September 3rd, 1939 85 years ago

The United Kingdom and France initiated a naval blockade against Germany, marking a critical moment in the early phases of World War II. This blockade aimed to restrict the shipment of vital supplies to Germany, thereby weakening its military capabilities. It significantly escalated tensions following Germany's invasion of Poland and was a strategic move to curb German aggression. Coupled with this blockade was the beginning of the Battle of the Atlantic, a protracted naval conflict that would define operations throughout the war.

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Natural Disasters

Grand Banks Submarine Earthquake and Tsunami

November 18th, 1929 95 years ago

A Richter magnitude 7.2 submarine earthquake occurred off the south coast of Newfoundland in the Atlantic Ocean, devastating many communities. Triggered by the earthquake, a tsunami struck the Burin Peninsula, destroying infrastructure and homes. The underwater seismic event also severed 12 telegraph cables, significantly disrupting communications across the Atlantic. This disaster highlighted the vulnerability of coastal settlements to natural phenomena.

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Exploration & Discovery

Lindbergh's Historic Transatlantic Flight

May 21st, 1927 97 years ago

Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in his aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis. He took off from New York on May 20, and after a grueling flight lasting over 33 hours, he touched down at Le Bourget Field in Paris. The successful journey was a major aviation milestone, capturing the world's attention and showcasing the possibilities of long-distance flight. Lindbergh's achievement demonstrated not only his flying prowess but also the advancements in aviation technology that made such a trip possible.

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Military & Warfare

RMS Carpathia sunk by German U-Boat

July 17th, 1918 106 years ago

The RMS Carpathia, famous for rescuing Titanic survivors, was sunk off the coast of Ireland by the German submarine SM U-55. The attack occurred in the context of World War I, highlighting the threats faced by passenger and merchant ships during the war. Despite its storied past, only five lives were lost in this incident, showcasing the perilous nature of maritime navigation in wartime.

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Military & Warfare

USS Jacob Jones Sunk by German Submarine

December 6th, 1917 107 years ago

USS Jacob Jones, an American destroyer, became the first of its kind to be sunk by enemy action when it was torpedoed by the German submarine SM U-53. The attack occurred in the Atlantic Ocean during World War I, highlighting the increasing danger facing Allied naval forces as submarine warfare intensified. A total of 66 crew members were lost in this tragic attack, which emphasized the growing threat of German U-boats in the maritime conflict.

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