15 November 1969 – During operations in the Barents Sea, the USS Gato, a nuclear powered submarine, would collide with the Soviet submarine K-19 at a depth of around 200 feet. The collision would completely destroy the sonar in K-19s forward areas and mangle its front torpedo tube doors. The K-19 would quickly have to return to port for repairs. The USS Gato however was relatively undamaged and went on to continue its patrol.
16 November 1776 – During the defense of Fort Washington during the Revolutionary War, Margaret Corbin would accompany her husband as he manned one of the two cannon crews in the fort. Since Margaret was a nurse, she was allowed to accompany her husband and quickly began treating injured Soldiers. As the battle raged on her husband was killed as he manned his cannon. Having watched him fire the cannon so much she quickly took his place, easily firing and loading the cannon after having watched her husband do it so many times. She would continue to man the cannon until she too was seriously injured and forced out of combat. Her injuries were serious enough that she never fully recovered from them and was completely disabled. Impressed with her bravery, actions and sympathetic to her injuries, the Congress’s Board of War would grant her half the pay of a regular Soldier and money for new clothing. She was placed on the military’s rolls as a Soldier till the end of the war and became the first woman to receive a pension from the United States Government. In 1926, what were thought to be her remains, were reinterred at the United States Military Academy with full military honors. Unfortunately the remains were found to be from an unidentified male and the location of her remains are unknown.
16 November 1798 – While escorting a large convoy to Havana with the USS Constitution, the USS Baltimore would be captured by two British frigates. 55 of her crew were impressed, meaning they were forced into British service by force. 50 of the crew were released and the USS Baltimore would return to the United States. Upon returning the captain of the USS Baltimore, Captain Phillips, would be dismissed for permitting an “outrage to the American flag”. The capture of the Baltimore’s crew would create a growing anti-British sentiment that would help lead towards the future War of 1812.