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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral Sir Alexander E. Bethell, R.N., Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth Station, to Commander Theodore G. Ellyson, U.S. Navy Base, Plymouth.

No. 1.

FROM COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PLYMOUTH STATION

29th June 1918.

To  THE COMMANDING OFFICER, U.S.NAVAL BASE, PLYMOUTH.

No.0221.

ORDERS FOR UNITED STATES SUBMARINE CHASERS OPERATING

FROM PLYMOUTH.

________________________

 

     1.  The Submarine Chasers will be used primarily for hunting submarines rather than for patrolling an area, and every effort will be made to close the known or approximate position of a submarine however this information may be obtained.

     2.  The regular area of operations will be between Start Point and the vicinity of the Lizard (Meridian of 5°20' W.), and each of these two points should ordinarily be covered by a Submarine Chaser Group.

     3.   The Groups will not cross Meridian 3°38' W. or 5°20' W, unless specially ordered or unless the hunt of a submarine carries them over.

     4.  As many Groups as possible will be kept at sea or in “Stand-by” status in harbour, depending upon submarine activity, weather, etc.

     5.  The following ports offer good refuge for Chasers, and depth charges and petrol may be obtained, except at Salcombe:-

Salcombe,

Plymouth,

Falmouth,

Penzance.

     6.  It is requested that you report in Land Cypher Code by telephone daily at 8.00 p.m. to Mount Wise :-

(a) Which Groups are at sea and their approximate location.

          (b) Which Groups are in “Stand-by” status and where.

          (c) Which Groups are resting.

AlEBethell

ADMIRAL.

Source Note: TDS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 340. It is not known who commanded at the American base at Plymouth at the time of these orders, but Cmdr. Ellyson commanded the detachment of thirty-six submarine chasers based there. These orders are stamped “SECRET.”