January 17, 1977: In Barcelona, Spain, a U.S. Navy LCM-6, a landing craft transporting 124 U.S. Marines and Navy sailors back to their ships, the amphibious transport dock USS Trenton and the amphibious assault ship USS Guam, sailed into the path of the Spanish freighter Urlea, and was run over. The Mike8 boat capsized, and came to rest against the fleet landing pier.
Crewmembers from both vessels were on hand to assist with rescue operations, and Spanish tugboats saved at least 12 men by setting the launch ship upright. Still, there were 49 sailors and Marines killed.
A memorial was erected at the landing pier in memory of the victims.
Launched in 1968, USS Trenton was sold to India in 2007. It still serves their navy, under the name INS Jalashwa. Launched in 1964, USS Guam served until 1998, and was sunk as target practice off Norfolk in 2001.
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January 17, 1977 was a Monday. This was also the day that Gary Gilmore was executed. I have a separate entry for that event.
Baseball and football were out of season. No games were scheduled for the NBA or the World Hockey Association. There was 1 game in the NHL, and it was an "Original Six" matchup: The Boston Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens, 7-3 at the Boston Garden.
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