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Far Seas: The U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters, 1920-1922

THE ARCHIVES BRANCH MAINTAINS REFERENCE COPIES OF THIS COLLECTION. THE ORIGINALS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE NAVY DEPARTMENT LIBRARY. 

Finding aid (PDF)

Historical Note

The U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters grew out of the aftermath of World War I. Weakened by the war, Turkey was thrown into further confusion by the collapse of the Sultan and the rise of Kemal Ataturk's regime. Seeing an opportunity to defeat an old enemy, Greece launched an invasion in 1919, touching off the bloody Chanuk War. Although the Greeks were finally defeated by Ataturk's strengthened army in 1920, the Allied powers of World War I feared the conflict would escalate and draw them into a new war in the Near East.

The effects of renewed fighting were compounded by a campaign of terror by Turkey against its own Greek citizens. By this point the situation had become volatile enough to concern President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson sent a squadron, the Detachment Protecting Americans and American Interests in Turkish Waters, to the area. Built around the heavy cruiser USS St. Louis as flagship, the Detachment included USS ScorpionChattanoogaFoxHumpherysGilmerBorieSmith ThompsonTraceyLongJohn Edwards,WhippleBarker, and Overton, and the boats USS C. 96 and C. 338.

Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol was appointed to command the Detachment. Soon after Bristol's arrival Wilson convinced the French and British governments to agree to his being named Allied High Commissioner in Turkey. A skilled diplomat, Bristol remained in Turkey until 1929 promoting American interests, safeguarding American citizens, and assisting in treaty negotiations.


Scope and Content Note

Far Seas was published weekly by the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters beginning with the 19 November 1920 issue. Each issue included a variety of articles, including news from home and ships assigned to the Detachment. Personal notes, anecdotes, and reports of leisure activities such as sporting events and dances were printed as well, along with cartoons and photographs. The newspaper ceased publication with issue 65 in February 1922, following a directive that prohibited the publication of any service paper at government expense.

This collection is approximately two-thirds complete, and contains copies of Far Seas dating from 4 December 1920 through 18 February 1922. The papers are arranged in chronological order.


Holdings

Issue

Date

3

4 December 1920

6

1 January 1921

7

8 January 1921

8

15 January 1921 

9

22 January 1921

10

29 January 1921

11

5 February 1921 

12

12 February 1921 

15

5 March 1921

16

12 March 1921

17

19 March 1921

18

26 March 1921

19

2 April 1921 

20

9 April 1921

21

16 April 1921

22

23 April 1921

23

30 April 1921

25

14 May 1921

27

28 May 1921

29

11 June 1921

30

18 June 1921

41

3 September 1921

43

17 September 1921

44

24 September 1921

45

1 October 1921

46

8 October 1921 

47

15 October 1921

48

22 October 1921

49

29 October 1921

50

5 November 1921

56

17 December 1921

57

24 December 1921

58

31 December 1921

59

7 January 1922

60

14 January 1922

61

21 January 1922

63

4 February 1922

64

11 February 1922

65

18 February 1922

 


Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as Far Seas, Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.


Subject Headings (LCSH)

United States. Navy--History--Sources.
United States Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters--Periodicals.
United States. Navy--Peace-time activities.


Extent

0.25 cubic feet

 

Published: Mon Oct 18 11:14:19 EDT 2021