Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to Commander Orin G. Murfin, Commander, Albany

WAR DIARY                U.S.S. ALBANY

File: IV-G & III-B4

   AREA:  Great Britain.

SUBJECT:  Letter from British Admiralty re convoy of Merchant Ships by U.S.S. ALBANY.

 SOURCE:  War Diary, U.S.S. ALBANY.

 Date:    Aug. 28, 1917

NAVY DEPARTMENT

Washington, D.C.

August, 28, 1917.

“To: Commanding Officer,

          U.S.S. ALBANY

Subject:  Letter from British Admiralty re convoy of Merchant

Ships by U.S.S. ALBANY

1.        The Department takes pleasure in quoting the following from a letter received from the British Admiralty through the British Naval Attache.1

“I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to convey the following to you.

“ON this, the first occasion of a convoy of Merchant Ships crossing the Atlantic and their safe arrival in British Waters under United States Cruiser Escort, the Board of Admiralty desire to express to you their great admiration of the excellent work of the Officers and Men of the United States Cruiser “ALBANY” in thus bringing the convoy so successfully and in such good order to express their keen appreciation of the facilities afforded with every courtesy to the Commanding Officer of the convoy, Captain Owen R.N.”

2.             You will bring this to the attention of the officers and men of the ALBANY.

3.             A copy of this letter will be filed with your official efficiency record.

/s/ Josephus Daniels    

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. A protected cruiser of the New Orleans class, Albany was a part of the first series of regular trans-Atlantic convoys that sailed from New York beginning 5 July 1917. Upon reporting for convoy duty, Albany was designated flagship for Squadron 6, Patrol Force, Atlantic Fleet, carrying the flag of RAdm. William C. Watts. Between July 1917 and the end of the war, Albany led 11 successful convoys between the United States and Europe. DANFS.