July 27

1549: The Jesuit priest Francis Xavier's ship reaches Japan- 1st Christian missionary in Japan.

1663: The English Parliament passes the second Navigation Act requiring that all goods bound for the American colonies have to be sent in English ships from English ports.

1714: Battle at Hango (Hangut): Russians beat Swedish fleet.

1720: The Battle of Grengam marks the second important victory of the Russian Navy.

1778: American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.

1862: Sailing from San Francisco to Panama City, Panama, the SS Golden Gate catches fire and sinks off Manzanillo, Mexico, killing 231.

1866: Atlantic telegraph cable successfully laid (1,686 miles long).

1918: Socony 200, 1st concrete barge in US, launched to carry oil, New York.

1987: RMS Titanic Inc. begins the first expedited salvage of wreckage of the RMS Titanic.