27 November - Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) retired from active service 2008

The Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) was a famous ocean liner that served as a Cunard Line flagship for nearly 40 years. Launched on 20 September 1967, the QE2 became an iconic symbol of luxury travel, crossing the Atlantic Ocean numerous times and undertaking world cruises. It was known for its elegant design and played a significant role in maritime history.

The QE2 was retired from active Cunard service on 27 November 2008, and after changing ownership, it was eventually transformed into a floating hotel in Dubai. The ship's legacy continues to be remembered as a symbol of a bygone era of transatlantic ocean travel.

23 November - HMS Rawalpindi is sunk by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in 1939

 

On November 23, 1939, during the early stages of World War II, the British Royal Navy's heavy cruiser HMS Rawalpindi encountered the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the waters of the North Atlantic. The engagement took place while Rawalpindi was on patrol in an attempt to locate German merchant raiders.

Despite being heavily outgunned, HMS Rawalpindi engaged the German warships in battle. The British cruiser fought bravely, but it was eventually overwhelmed by the superior firepower of Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. As a result, HMS Rawalpindi was sunk, and a significant number of her crew lost their lives.

This naval engagement was part of the larger naval operations in the early years of World War II, particularly the efforts to control sea routes and protect shipping lanes. The sinking of HMS Rawalpindi highlighted the potency of the German naval forces, especially the Scharnhorst-class battleships, during the early stages of the conflict.

 

17 November - The Suez Canal was officially inaugurated in 1869

 

The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, was officially inaugurated on November 17, 1869. The construction of the canal was a significant engineering achievement and had a profound impact on global trade and transportation. The canal provided a direct maritime route between Europe and Asia, eliminating the need for a lengthy and dangerous journey around the southern tip of Africa.

The Suez Canal played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods and reducing travel time for ships. It became a key strategic waterway and has been the focus of international attention and geopolitical considerations throughout its history. The control and management of the Suez Canal have been subjects of various conflicts and negotiations over the years.

15 November - INS Delhi commissioned in 1997

 

INS Delhi is the lead ship of her class of guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. She was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and commissioned on 15 November 1997. This class is among the largest warships to be designed and built in India.
INS Delhi is the second vessel of the Indian Navy to bear the name. She inherits the mantle from the Leander class cruiser of the same name, which had an illustrious career in the Portuguese-Indian War of 1961, during the liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu.

14 November - Robert Fulton born

 

Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat, the North River Steamboat (also known as Clermont). In 1807, that steamboat traveled on the Hudson River with passengers from New York City to Albany and back again, a round trip of 300 nautical miles (560 kilometers), in 62 hours. The success of his steamboat changed river traffic and trade on major American rivers.

In 1800, Fulton had been commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, leader of France, to attempt to design a submarine; he produced Nautilus, the first practical submarine in history.Fulton is also credited with inventing some of the world's earliest naval torpedoes for use by the Royal Navy.

Fulton became interested in steam engines and the idea of steamboats in 1777 when he was around age 12 and visited state delegate William Henry of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who was interested in this topic. Henry had learned about inventor James Watt and his Watt steam engine on an earlier visit to England.

09 November - SMS Emden is sunk by HMAS Sydney in the Battle of Cocos

 

The sinking of SMS Emden by HMAS Sydney in the Battle of Cocos on November 9, 1914, is a significant event in naval history during World War I. SMS Emden was a German light cruiser that had been conducting raiding operations in the Indian Ocean, disrupting British and Allied shipping.

In the Battle of Cocos, HMAS Sydney, an Australian light cruiser, engaged SMS Emden off the Cocos Islands, which were under British control. The engagement resulted in the sinking of SMS Emden, marking a major victory for the Allies in the early stages of World War I.

The battle is notable for its swift and decisive nature, with HMAS Sydney's superior firepower and maneuverability overwhelming SMS Emden. The sinking of SMS Emden brought an end to its successful raiding activities and was a morale boost for the Allies.

The Battle of Cocos is remembered as an important naval engagement during World War I and is a part of the broader history of naval warfare in the early 20th century.