I believe that this was the first successful ditching. It was a ditching in the Caribbean Sea near the Virgin Islands. The plane was flying from JFK to SXM and after two go-arounds in SXM due to wx below minimum, captain decided to head to SJU. Without enough fuel to make it to SJU he tried for St Croix, I think, and then made a water landing, not being able to make to St Croix. Pax were unaware that they the captain was ditching the plane. About 50% of pax survived, and the plane landed in tact. And before I get berated, I am aware that the engines on this aircraft type are not underwing. It's an interesting story, somebody from the island I grew up on (not SXM if you were wondering) was on that plane, and unfortunately, didn't survive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALM_Flight_980