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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Diary of Commander Joseph K. Taussig, Commander, U.S. Destroyer Little

Wednesday

June 26

     Last night the barometer fell, the wind rose, and this morning we had a good sea running which it was necessary for us to buck. We have been taking considerable water over the bow and have been doing some pounding so we slowed to 14 knots and zigzagged with the convoy without patrolling – Mr. Grosclaude has spent a very uncomfortable day.1 Towards evening the wind and sea gradually went down and now – 9:30 p.m. it is quite comfortable. The Brest and St. Nazaire groups separated at 9 p.m. Sent 5 destroyers with the 8 ships for St Nazaire and kept 9 with the 9 ships for Brest.2 Bright moonlight –

Source Note: D, RNW, Joseph K. Taussig Papers, Mss. Coll. 97.

Footnote 1: Étienne F. Grosclaude, a famous journalist from France. Taussig reluctantly took Grosclaude on as a passenger, complaining that civilians almost always suffered from seasickness. Apparently, his prediction was correct. See: Taussig diary, 22 June 1918.

Footnote 2: According to an earlier diary entry, the convoy consisted of 16 destroyers and 13 troop transports. The reason for the discrepancy in numbers here is not known. See: Taussig diary, 22 June 1918.

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