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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Documentary Histories
WWI

War Diary of U.S.S. Conyngham

[Extract]

February 4, 1918.

     At Sea. Proceeding to meet Troop Convoy No. 18.

     At 9:27 a.m. made contact with convoy, and at 10:15 joined. Took up station on starboard bow of convoy.

     At 4:00 p.m. received the following signal from NICHOLSON:- quote, Conyngham and WAINWRIGHT will escort HENDERSON to St. Nazaire. Carry out paragraphs 4,8,9,10 and 12 of Queenstown General orders.1 Convoy will divide at 6:00 p.m. TUCKER will be ordered to join you at daylight. I have notified Brest of our 6:00 p.m. position with reference to Guatemala. unquote.

     At 6:00 p.m. U.S.S. HENDERSON, escorted by Conyngham TUCKER and WAINWRIGHT parted company with other ships of convoy and headed for St. Nazaire. Speed of advance 14 knots.

     Intercepted following submarine reports:- Quote, ALLO all ships. 4539 – 0951 – 1604 Unquote. From Monsanto to all ships:- quote Avis de guerre marine,2

. . . . Positions

                   8:00 a.m. Lat. 47-00 N  Long. 9-28 W.

                   Noon      Lat. 46-11 N  Long. 9-14 W.

                   8:00 p.m. Lat. 46-25 N  Long. 7-20 W.

Source Note: D, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B, Destroyer Ships Files: Conyngham. The diary entry for the following day continues the description of this convoy mission; see: War Diary of U.S.S. Conyngham, 5 February 1918.

Footnote 2: It appears that the Conyngham’s war diary copied the coded positions of these submarines. As the editors were unable to determine the meaning of the coded section, they have omitted it.

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