Bill Lescher

 Reviving the naval history of the American Revolution is one approach to studying the naval activity of the time period. This article examines the French Navy under the command of the "Sun King," as well as pirates, inferior ships, and anarchy on board French vessels. You will also study the French government's naval actions during this time period. Regardless of your background, this story will captivate you. Louis XIV of France influenced the development of the French Navy in the seventeenth century. It had a famous heritage of naval triumphs, including a decisive win against the English at the Battle of Sluys. But the French Navy also suffered strategic setbacks at the hands of Michiel de Ruyter and the Dutch. In the years after the American Revolution, the American colonies never threatened Britain's maritime dominance, but they did enjoy one distinct edge over the home country. Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, famously stated, "T...

Off the coast of Okinawa, a legendary WWII warship escaped the prospect of sinking. Fifty-two submarines lost their personnel throughout the war, with 84 fatalities and 3,131 unaccounted for. Ackerman was awarded a Silver Star after his death for his work aboard the ship. The destroyer was in danger of sinking, although it had already fended off multiple assaults. When the crew tried to save survivors from the downed Callaghan, a kamikaze hit the ship. Two crew members were killed by the Japanese destroyer, which also almost split in two. The boat was struck by a Japanese bomb another time. Thankfully, the I-53 avoided this destiny, although it sustained significant damage. The Memorial Room on the Historic WWII Destroyer was unharmed throughout the attack, which was fortunate. The ship's exquisite 3-D self-portrait, letters from the Sullivan brothers who gave it its name, and two original flags were all recovered by rescuers. But unfortunately, a battered American flag that had be...