On The Week of 14 – 20 January 1940

US NAVY

Sunday, 14 January 1940

            Auxiliary Bear (AG‑29) reaches Bay of Whales, Antarctica. Along with Interior Department motorship North Star, Bear will establish the two bases to be used in the U.S. Antarctic Service's 1939‑1941 expedition under Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, USN (Ret.).

            British Minister in Panama Charles Dodd transmits response of British government to note sent by the President of Panama on behalf of the 21 American Republics concerning the violation of American neutrality that occurred in the Battle of the River Plate. The British "reserve their full belligerent rights in order to fight the menace presented by German action and policy and to defend that conception of law and that way of life, which they believe to be as dear to the peoples and Governments of America as they are to the peoples and Governments of the British Commonwealth of Nations" (see 12 February and 8 March).

            U.S. freighter Narbo detained at Gibraltar by British authorities the previous day, is released to continue her voyage to Italy, Yugoslavia, and Greece, but not before some items from her cargo are removed as contraband.

Monday, 15 January 1940

            Joint amphibious exercise begins in the Monterey, California, area, to provide training for the Army and Navy in planning and executing Joint operations, to train Army troops in embarking and disembarking, and to afford an opportunity for elements of the GHQ Air Force and Navy patrol squadrons to work together and with ground forces (see 22 January). Commander Battle Force (Admiral Charles P. Snyder) conducts the Navy portion of the exercise.

            Japanese fishing schooner No. 1 Seiho Maru is stranded on reef off southeast coast of Guam, M.I. A detail of Guam Militia (12th Company) renders necessary assistance during salvage operations (see 21 January).

            Minesweeper Penguin (AM‑33) rescues the 24‑man crew.

Wednesday, 17 January 1940

            U.S. passenger liner Manhattan and freighter Excambion are detained at Gibraltar by British authorities; the former is kept there for only a few hours before being allowed to proceed (see 23 January).

            British Foreign Office replies to U.S. protest on treatment of mail, concluding that "His Majesty's Government find themselves unable to share the views of the United States government that their [the British] action in examining neutral mail in British or neutral shipping is contrary to their obligations under international law."

Thursday, 18 January 1940

            British commence censorship of air mail passing through Bermuda; censor there removes through‑bound mail for European destinations from Lisbon‑bound Pan American Airways Boeing 314 American Clipper. A written protest is lodged and no assistance in the unloading process is offered.

Friday, 19 January 1940

            Auxiliary Bear (AG‑29) steams eastward to begin flight operations in the vicinity of Biscoe Bay; the ship's embarked Barkley‑Grow floatplane (Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, navigator) reconnoiters Sulzberger Bay to determine leads in the ice to permit Bear's movement further to the east.

Saturday, 20 January 1940

            United States protests British treatment of American shipping in the Mediterranean.

            U.S. freighter Examelia is detained at Gibraltar by British authorities (see 31 January); passenger liner Washington, bound for Genoa, is detained only a few hours before being allowed to proceed.