Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral Albert P. Niblack, Commander, Patrol Squadron based on Gibraltar, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

[Extract]

DECATUR,

     509                      1 July, 1918.

FROM:     Commander Patrol Squadrons Based on Gibraltar,

TO  :     FORCE COMMANDER.

SUBJECT:  Weekly Report of Operations, 23 June to 29 June, 1918, inc.

     1.   EMPLOYMENT OF VESSELS:

BAINBRIDGE--:   In refit.

BARRY-------:  RETURNED from Danger Zone Escort Duty 23 June and sailed again on Danger  Zone Escort Duty 29 June.

DALE--------:   Returned from Danger Zone Escort Duty 25 June, returning 28 June for refit and retubing boilers.

DECATUR-----:   Returned to base 23 June, escorting transport “GUISEPPE VERDI.” Coaled, provisioned and sailed for Genoa with her 24 June, reaching that port 27 June.

ALGONQUIN---:  ALGONQUIN sailed on special duty to Portugal and Morocco 26 June, returning 29 June.

BIRMINGHAM--:  Absent on Ocean Escort Duty.

CHESTER-----:   Absent on Ocean Escort Duty.

MANNING-----:  Returned from Ocean Escort Duty 23 June and sailed again on Ocean Escort Duty 29 June.

OSSIPPEE----:    Sailed on Ocean Escort Duty 25 June.

SACRAMENTO--:  Returned from 27 June.

SENECA------:   Absent on Ocean Escort Duty.

TAMPA-------:  Absent on Ocean Escort Duty.

YAMACRAW----:  In refit.

CASTINE-----:   Returned from Bizerta Escort Duty 23 June. Remainder of week in port. Held target practice off Europa Point 29 June.

MACHIAS---  :   In port for boiler repairs.

NASHVILLE---:    In refit.

PADUCAH----:   In Algiers refitting.

WHEELING---:    In refit.

ARCTURUS (ex-ARTEMIS)

           :   Sailed on special escort duty with Cable Ship Amber 23 June, returning 29 June.

CYTHERA----:    Absent on Bizerta Escort Duty.

DRUID------:    In refit.

LYDONIA----:    Returned from Bizerta Escort Duty 28 June.

NAHMA------:  Absent on Bizerta Escort Duty.

SURVEYOR---:    Absent on Genoa Escort Duty.

Venetia----:     Returned from Bizerta Escort 28 June.

WENONAH----:  Reterned from Bizerta Escort Duty 23 June. Held target practice off Europa Point 28 June.

YANKTON--: Sailed on Genoa Escort Duty 26 June.

     2.   SUBMARINE ACTIVITY, GIBRALTAR Reporting Area.

June 23 2:15 a.     42 21 N. 39 15 W Derelict steamer on fire.

June 24 5 p.        38 38 N. 09 32 W Portuguese M.L. fired at.

June 24 7 p.        38 38 N. 09 32 W ALLO.

June 25 5 p.        43 19 N. 03 36 E ALLO.

June 26 6 p.        37 18 N. 00 42 W Sailing Vessel MARIE JEANNE sighted periscope (doubtful).

June 26 6 p.   Off Torrevieja      Two Submarines Reported.

June 26 10 p.       45 35 N. 22 50 W ALLO.

June 27 3 a.   Off Santa Pola      Submarine sighted.

June 27 9 p.        36 42 N. 02 20 E ALLO.

June 28 7 a.        45 13 N. 10 05 W Allo from S.S. BAY GOWAN.

June 28 7 a.        45 15 N. 10 15 W British SS QUEEN in Convoy ON-79 sunk.

June 28 2 p.        45 35 N. 10 25 W ALLO.

June 28 2 p.        45 35 N. 10 25 W American S.S. RUBY attacked escaped.

     3.   Italian transport “GIUSEPPE VERDI” with 1760 American troops on board arrived at Gibraltar 23 June, coaled, and sailed for Genoa, escorted by Parthian & DECATUR 24 June.

          U.S.S. JOHN M. CONNELLY arrived from the U.S. and Azores 24 June, and commenced discharging cargo. She completed discharging cargo 27 June, and sailed for Philadelphia with convoy WA-36 on 29 June. . . .