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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Rafe G. Rowley-Conwy, Captain (D) Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet, to Commodore Hugh Justin Tweedie, Commodore (F), Grand Fleet Flotillas

COPY

From:     The Captain (D), FIFTEENTH DESTROYER FLOTILLA,

Date:     3 July 1918.             No.  62/1.

To:       The COMMODORE (F), GRAND FLEET FLOTILLAS.

          Submitted. Two attacks on submarines astern of SIXTH BATTLE SQUADRON were carried out on 30 June 1918.

                   FIRST ATTACK.

          o – Periscope

     DELAWARE            FLORIDA    WYOMING   TEXAS      NEW YORK

 


o  SALMON                    o  PARKER

                o   RADSTOCK

          SIXTH BATTLE SQUADRON were in line abreast in open order. First periscope reported at 1619 by WYOMING was seen by PARKER on inner quarter of U.S.S. DELAWARE on three nearest battleships opening fire. Three destroyers attacked with depth charges and six charges – PARKER 3; RADSTOCK 2; SALMON 1; were dropped; PARKER running on time to position. The pattern of depth charges dropped appeared to be very good. Ordered RADSTOCK to remain in position, 58° 44’ N., 0° 35’ E. for half an hour but nothing further was seen.

                   SECOND ATTACK.

          o

                                                        o Rad-

     DELAWARE       FLORIDA    WYOMING   TEXAS      NEW YORK stock

o  SABLE

  o SALMON     o    PARKER

          At 1726 in position 58° 44’ N., 2° 34 E., DELAWARE again opened fire on submarine reported astern. No periscope was seen by destroyers but position of firing was attacked by destroyers and ten depth charges dropped – SALMON4; PARKER 2; SABLE 3; ROCKET 1; -

          The following signals were made by me and following replies received:

D.XV to NEW YORK, 30 June.

          Could balloon observer see position of depth charges as regards position of periscope. 1815.

NEW YORK to D.XV.

          No. Balloon did not see periscope.1830.

D.XV. to DELAWARE, FLORIDA, WYOMING, 2100

          For future guidance would you let me know position our depth chages exploded with regard to position of periscope.

DELAWARE to D.XV.

          Refernece to submarine sighted the depth charges appeared to be good for line as viewed from DELAWARE but we could not form a definite opinion as regards range as viewed from DELAWARE. Opinion on DELAWARE is that depth charges were well placed on the spot. Reference to second submarine sighted the depth charges appeared to be in the general locality where periscope was last seen but more specific location of depth charges is impossible due to length of time between dropping of charges and disappearance of periscope.

FLORIDA to D.XV.

          Your 2100. Did not see periscope.

WYOMING to D.XV. 2255.

          Your 2205. Explosion was on correct bearing but seemed about 120 yards beyond periscope.

/s/ E. Rowley-Conwy.

          CAPTAIN (D).

              II

No. 025/37.

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF,

        GRAND FLEET.1

(Copy to R.A. 6th BtS.)

                   Submitted for information.

/s/ H.ugh F. Tweedie,

     COMMODORE (F).

CASTOR

6th July 1918.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 381.

Footnote 1: Adm. Sir David Beatty.

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