On The Week of 4 – 10 February 1940

US NAVY

Sunday, 4 February 1940

            U.S. passenger liner Manhattan, detained at Gibraltar the previous day, is released, but not before British authorities seize 390 sacks of German mail. American diplomatic mail pouches, however, are not disturbed.

Monday, 5 February 1940

            Light cruiser Helena (CL‑50) arrives at Santos, Brazil, on her shakedown cruise (see 10 February).

            U.S. freighter Exford is detained at Gibraltar by British authorities (see 13 February).

Tuesday, 6 February 1940

            German freighter Konsul Horn, which had departed Aruba on 7 January, reaches Norwegian waters having eluded or deceived the U.S. Neutrality Patrol as well as British and French warships.

Thursday, 8 February 1940

            U.S. freighter Scottsburg is detained at Gibraltar by British authorities (see 9 February).8

Friday, 9 February 1940

            U.S. freighter Scottsburg, detained at Gibraltar by British authorities the previous day, is released.

Saturday, 10 February 1940

            Light cruiser Helena (CL‑50) departs Santos, Brazil, winding up her shakedown cruise.

            U.S. freighter West Chatala is detained for several hours at Gibraltar by British authorities but is released to continue her voyage.