Corsair (Yacht); World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations
Out of Harwich had dashed that wonderful light cruiser division under
Admiral Tyrwhitt, always under two hours’ steaming notice to run north
as a tactical unit of the Grand Fleet or to tear at thirty knots for
the Strait of Dover to help defend and keep clear the main road to
France. And now the cruisers and destroyers and submarines no longer
moved restlessly in and out of Harwich Harbor to patrol the North
Sea, and Harwich was again a railway terminus on the route to Antwerp
and the Hook of Holland. As the American flagship, the _Corsair_
tarried there through part of April before sailing to Southend to
execute similar orders and duties. England was green and blooming
with the loveliness of its rare springtime, and the men of the lonely
American yacht were more than ever absorbed in thoughts of flying that
homeward-bound pennant.
At length there came an order from London, transmitted through the
cruiser _Galveston_ which was also at Southend, that seemed to promise
the _Corsair_ a start on the long road home:
On completion of transfer of stores and quota of draft of the German
steamship _Brandenburg_, you will proceed to Plymouth, England, with
the vessel under your command, arranging to arrive in the afternoon
of May 7th. On arrival report to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval
Forces, European Waters, for use of the Secretary of the Navy.
Secretary Daniels and his party were at this time on their way
to France and the United States after visiting the Allied naval
organizations. The _Corsair_ was designated to carry them from Plymouth
to Brest, and the British Admiralty carried out its part of the
programme with the most punctilious attention to detail, as is shown
in the printed memorandum under “Devonport General Orders” which was
signed by Admiral Cecil F. Thursby:
_Embarkation of Mr. J. Daniels, Secretary of the U.S. Navy._
U.S. Yacht _Corsair_ and one U.S.T.B.D. will arrive P.M. 7th May and
will be berthed as follows,—_Corsair_ alongside _Resolution_, bows
to southward, if possible. T.B.D. alongside No. 1 wharf, unless she
requires oil when she will proceed to _Orangeleaf_ and complete with
fuel.
The train conveying Mr. Daniels and party will arrive at No. 6 wharf
at 0800 on Thursday, 8th May. The Commander-in-Chief will receive Mr.
Daniels. The Vice Admiral Commanding First Battle Squadron and staff
and the Admiral Superintendent are requested also to be present at the
wharf. (Dress No. 5 without swords.)
A working party of three petty officers and twenty men in No. 5
dress, in charge of a warrant officer, is to be provided by Depot,
and to be at No. 6 wharf by 0745 to transfer baggage from train to
_Corsair_. As soon as Mr. Daniels and party and all baggage have been
embarked, _Corsair_ will proceed down harbor. Admiral Superintendent
is requested to arrange for a tug to be in attendance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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