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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Documentary Histories
WWI

War Diary of U.S.S. Rowan

[Off the coast of Ireland]

     August 19, 1917 received message from H.M.S. UNITY  “Our convoy was attacked by submarines at 10:30 A.M. 10 miles north 30 E mag from our present position”.1 Entire convoy takes up pursuit. Jacob Jones sights periscope.2 Report received of submarine at mouth of Loire River.3

Source Note: D, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Unity’s convoy lost a merchant ship, probably S.S. Spectator, in the submarine attack. War Diaries of Events, August 1917, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520. According to the war diary of Jacob Jones, Unity joined the convoy escorted by Rowan and Jacob Jones, gave them a “submarine warning,” and then departed. DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 2: According to Jacob Jones' war diary, the periscope was sighted at 1:08 P.M. about 1000 yards from the convoy before the periscope disappeared; ibid.

Footnote 3: In its war diary entry for the next day, Rowan reported sighting the U-Boat at the entrance of the Loire River and dropping a depth charge close to it. War Diary, Rowan, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.