On The Week of 10-16 December 1939

US NAVY

Sunday, 10 December 1939

            U.S. freighter Steel Engineer is detained at Gibraltar by British authorities (see 11 December).

Monday, 11 December 1939

            U.S. freighter Azalea City, detained at London by British authorities since 27 November, is released to proceed to Antwerp, and Rotterdam, Holland, after certain cargo is detained for guaranties. Freighter Steel Engineer, detained at Gibraltar by the British the previous day, is released.

Wednesday, 13 December 1939

            British heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, light cruiser HMS Ajax, and New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (Commodore Henry H. Harwood, RN, flag in Ajax), which had rendezvoused the previous day, engage German armored ship Admiral Graf Spee in the Battle of the River Plate. The "pocket battleship" knocks Exeter out of action and damages her consorts, but is compelled by the damage inflicted by her lesser‑gunned adversaries (which are fought, as First Lord of the Admiralty Winston S. Churchill writes, "with the utmost resolution and skill") to retire toward Montevideo, Uruguay. Exeter, badly damaged, withdraws to the Falkland Islands (see 14 December.). The U.S. Navy studies the Battle of the River Plate from a perspective of drilling gunners to maintain fire by local (rather than a centralized director) control. To this end, a scenario similar to the River Plate engagement is included in an exercise in 1940. In addition, the Director of Fleet Training considers the "proper use of smoke either as a defense measure or as a means of covering movements of an attacking force" extremely important, and points out the demonstrable effectiveness of a smoke screen "as a means of protection for light forces" employed by Commodore Harwood in the battle with Admiral Graf Spee.

            U.S. freighter Exochorda, detained at Gibraltar by British authorities since 5 December, is released.

Thursday, 14 December 1939

            League of Nations, in response to the Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November, expels the USSR from its membership.

            Heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA‑44) and destroyers Evans (DD‑78) and Twiggs (DD‑127) (the latter destroyer having shadowed British destroyer HMS Hereward a short time before) trail Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth which is prowling the Gulf of Yucatan waiting for the emergence of German passenger liner Columbus. The Americans maintain such a close and persistent surveillance of the Australian warship that Perth's commanding officer, Captain Harold B. Farncomb, RAN, is said to have remarked in exasperation, "Queer idea of 'neutrality' these Americans have!" German freighter Arauca departs Vera Cruz, Mexico, followed subsequently by passenger liner Columbus, the third largest ship in Germany's merchant marine. Destroyer Benham (DD‑397), soon joined by destroyer Lang (DD‑399), trails Columbus. A succession of U.S. ships will, over ensuing days, send out plain‑language position reports (see 15‑20 December).

            German armored ship Admiral Graf Spee puts in to Montevideo, Uruguay, for repairs. British light cruiser HMS Ajax and New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Achilles maintain patrol off the 120‑mile wide River Plate estuary. British heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland reinforces Ajax and Achilles that night.

            Interior Department motorship North Star (U.S. Antarctic Service), with the permission of the British government, visits Pitcairn Island to take on water and discovers the islanders in need of certain foodstuffs and medical supplies, which she provides. The provisions include flour, sugar, potatoes, matches, lard, gasoline and lubricating oil. The supplies will be replaced in New Zealand with funds turned over to Rear Admiral Byrd by the Chief Magistrate.

            U.S. freighter Extavia, detained at Gibraltar by British authorities since 29 November, is released.

Friday, 15 December 1939

            Destroyer Jouett (DD‑396) relieves Benham (DD‑397) at sea; the latter attempts to locate German freighter Arauca, while Jouett joins Lang (DD‑399) in shadowing passenger liner Columbus.

            British RFA oiler Olynthus refuels light cruiser HMS Ajax at Samborombon Bay, off the coast of Argentina; heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland covers the evolution lest German armored ship Admiral Graf Spee should attempt to sortie.

            U.S. freighter Exmoor, detained at Gibraltar by British authorities since 7 December, is released.

Saturday, 16 December 1939

            Destroyers Schenck (DD‑159) and Philip (DD‑76), soon joined by Lea (DD‑118), relieve destroyers Jouett (DD‑396) and Lang (DD‑399) in trailing German passenger liner Columbus off Key West, Florida. Jouett and Lang steam to join destroyer Davis (DD‑395) in attempting to locate freighter Arauca. Schenck soon proceeds on other assigned duties.

            British light cruiser HMS Ajax, heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland and New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Achilles patrol off River Plate estuary; Ajax's Seafox reconnoiters the area.