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, 7/23/1918

Documentary Histories

WWI

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]

DECATUR1

509 23 July, 1918.

From: Commander Patrol Squadrons Based on Gibraltar.

To: Force Commander.

SUBJECT: Weekly Report of Operations 14 July to 20 July, 1918, Inclusive.

1. EMPLOYMENT OF VESSELS:

BAINBRIDGE--: Detached this force and sailed for the Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C. for repairs 15 July.

BARRY-------: Sailed on Danger Zone Escort Duty 15 July. returning 18 July.

DALE--------: In refit.

DECATUR-----: Returned from Danger Zone Escort Duty 14 July. Sailed again on Danger Zone Escort Duty 15 July, returning 17 July. Commenced refit 19 July.

ALGONQUIN---: In Lisbon, Portugal, refitting.

BIRMINGHAM--: Sailed on Ocean Escort Duty, 20 July.

CHESTER-----: Returned from Ocean Escort Duty 18 July.

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

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

SACRAMENTO--: Absent on Ocean Escort Duty.

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

TAMPA-------: Sailed on Ocean Escort Duty, 15 July.

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

CASTINE-----: In port overhauling boilers. Completed work 20 July.

MACHIAS--- : Absent on Bizerta Escort Duty.

NASHVILLE---: Detached this force and sailed for Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C. for repairs, 15 July.

PADUCAH----: Returned from dispatch duty to Azores 18 July.

WHEELING---: Sailed on Bizerta Escort Duty 20 July.

ARCTURUS---: Sailed on Special Escort Duty with Cable Ship Amber 16 July.

CYTHERA----: Returned from Bizerta Escort Duty 17 July and commenced docking and minor repairs period.

Placed in dry dock 19 July.

DRUID------: In refit.

LYDONIA----: Sailed on Bizerta Escort Duty 16 July.

NAHMA------: Returned from Genoa Escort Duty 20 July, and commenced docking and minor repair period.

SURVEYOR---: Returned from Bizerta Escort Duty 17 July.

VENETIA----: Returned from Bizerta Escort Duty 14 July. Sailed on Genoa Escort Duty 20 July.

WENONAH----: Complete boiler overhaul 19 July and sailed on Genoa Escort Duty 20 July.

YANKTON----: Sailed on Bizerta Escort Duty 16 July.

GREGORY - -: Sailed on Special Escort Duty with army troop and supply transports.

2. SUBMARINE ACTIVITY, GIBRALTAR REPORTING AREA_

July 14 Noon 36 05 N 00 40 W ALLO (doubtful)

July 14 6.0 p 43 22 N 08 50 W Submarine off Sisarga Island.2

July 14 11.0p 45 20 N 01 20 W French S.S. CAPE BRETON torpedoed

July 16 4.0 p 37 35 N 24 35 W ALLO from Portuguese S.S. MORMUGAO

July 16 9.0 p 43 27 N 02 10 W French S.S. LYNDIANE sunk 10 miles N.W. of San Sebastian.

July 16 a.m. Off Cape Huertas Submarine reported.

July 16 400 miles west of British Schooner sunk Peniche

July 17 6 to 7 a.m. off Cape Submarine close inshore Villano

July 17 37 41 N 00 37 W Derelict.Danger to Navigation.

July 17 Noon Off Torrevieja Submarine seenabout a mile off shore

July 18 9.0 p 4 miles North of Submarine reported. Bilbao

July19 11.0a 36 40 N 01 26 W Convoy sighted periscope.

July 19 11.0a 43 09 N 05 17 E ALLO

July 19 3.0 p 43 28 N 05 04 W Submarine reported.

3. U.S.S. MEXICAN and U.S.A.C.T.3 OTSEGO sailed for Marseilles, escorted by U.S.S. GREGORY, 14 July.

American S.S. TUNICA arrived with stores for this base and for Base 25,4 14 July.

DECATUR & DRUID were placed in dry dock 20 July. . . .

A. P. Niblack

Source Note: DS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 446. The signature is a stamp.

Footnote 1: U.S. destroyer DECATUR was Niblack’s flagship.

Footnote 2: This presentation may be confusing. After the date is the time. The number(s) before the dot are the hour, the number(s) after the dot are the minutes followed by either “a” for a.m. or “p” for p.m. The next two sets of numbers preceding “N” are degrees and minutes of latitude; the two sets preceding “W” are degrees and minutes of longitude.

Footnote 3: “U.S.A.C.T” means United States Army Cargo Transport.

Footnote 4: Base 25 was at Corfu, Greece.

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