Feb. 28, 2017

Naval Gunfire During the Battle of Java Sea

Before World War II, most naval planners believed that a surface action between two fleets would last just minutes before one side or another was completely mauled by the effects of modern gun and torpedo fire. During the Battle of Java Sea, the Allied and Japanese fleets fought intermittently for seven hours before the Allied fleet was defeated -

Feb. 29, 2016

Final Days of USS Houston, the Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast

One of the most valiant ships in over 240 years of naval history, USS Houston was lost in a battle against overwhelming odds 75 years ago. Commissioned at the beginning of the Great Depression, Houston was a design compromise due to treaty limitations. However her captain and crew never compromised their sense of duty.President Franklin D.

Nov. 4, 2015

Building Bridges on Sunken Ships

I've just attended a series of meetings in Jakarta last week where government officials from Indonesia, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom all expressed their determination and resolve to protect and preserve the USS Houston and other sunken wrecks, many of which serve as war graves. "We've been working for some time now with

Jan. 3, 2014

Return of USS HOUSTON Artifacts to NHHC

Last week, the Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) received a trumpet and ceramic cup and saucer from World War II cruiser USS HOUSTON. The artifacts were returned to the US Naval Attache in Canberra, Australia after their unsanctioned removal from the wreck site and made a journey of more than 10,000 miles