July 12, 1916
American armored cruiser USS
North Carolina is the first ship to launch an aircraft with a catapult while underway. There is some confusion over this launch, with a much earlier date of November 5, 1915 being given. Some digging leads to the conclusion that November 5 was the date of the first catapult launch, but the ship was anchored at the time. This is the first launch while underway.
North Carolina with catapult.
The launch.
Air War:
0830 French pilot Noël de Rochefort, flying Nieuport 11 1374, shoots down an LVG C.II for victory number 4.
French ace André Chainat, in an unnamed Nieuport, downs an "Enemy Aircraft" for kill number 7. (According to The Aerodrome. Another site has this taking place one day earlier, on the 11th.
Atlantic Ocean:
American freighter SS
Ramos, 843 tons, bound from Philadelphia for Cartagena with a load of coal, founders in a hurricane northwest of Watling Island (Modern San Salvador). Sources differ concerning the fate of the crew. One source says the Captain and 14 crew (out of 25) were rescued, but another cites the first mate as saying the captain was one of those attacked by sharks.
http://www.sharkattackfile.net/sprea...hman-Ramos.pdf