Melvin
Thompson, Wardroom Cook, first class, U.S.N.R.F.
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE to the service and jurisdiction
of the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer he was Officers’
Cook on the BACHE.
Effective
Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Wardroom Cook, first class, in
the U.S. Naval Reserve Force and he served in that capacity on the
U.S.S. BACHE until June 20, 1919, when he returned to the Coast and
Geodetic Survey.
C.
S. Thurtell, U. S. Army (rank unknown):
Served
as a computer in the Coast and Geodesic Survey from March 1, to June
1, 1918, when he separated from the service and entered the Unite
States Army soon thereafter.
Ernest
Tober, U.S.N.R.F. (rank unknown):
On May
15, 1918, by Executive Order 2861, he was transferred with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER to the service and jurisdiction
of the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer he was Fireman, first
class, on the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER.
There
is no information available at this office regarding whether or not
he was enrolled in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force.
J.Q.
Tolson, Chief Boatswain’s Mate. U.S.N.R.F.:
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey Steamer ISIS, to the service and jurisdiction
of the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer he was Chief Boatswain’s
Mate on the ISIS. Effective Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Chief
Boatswain’s Mate in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force and he served
on the U.S. Naval. Reserve Force and he served on the U.S.S. ISIS,
but the length of his service is not known in this office as he did
not return to the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Anastacio
Torres, Seaman, U.S. Navy:
Served
as Seaman on the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATHFINDER, until
Jan. 31, 1918, when he was discharged at his own request and enlisted
as Seaman in the U.S. Navy, at Manila, Philippine Islands.
James
Monroe Toulson, Seaman, U.S.N.R.F.
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey Steamer Department. Immediately previous to his
transfer he was Seaman on the BACHE, although during about 50 years
of previous services he had filled numerous important petty officers’
places.
Effective
Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Seaman in the U.S. Naval Reserve
Force and he served on the U.S.S. BACHE from that date until the vessel
was returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey on June 20, 1919.
Owing
to the fact that James Monroe Toulson had served over 50 years in
the Coast and Geodetic Survey, over 27 of which had been under Naval
enlistments, and during which time he had filled numerous petty officers’
places in which he performed efficient and valuable services to the
U.S. Government, he was retained under his enlistment in the U. S.
Naval Reserve after the Steamer Bache was returned to the Coast and
Geodetic Survey in order that he might secure the small additional
Naval Service necessary for retirement after 30 years service.
Homer
F. Tripp, Failed to qualify physically:
In August,
1917, when a list of names was being prepared for recommendation for
transfer to the service and jurisdiction of the War Department and
the Navy Department, Homer F. Tripp, Draftsman in the Coast and Geodetic
Survey was considered, but after a preliminary examination at the
Public Health Service, he was declared physically not qualified and
for that reason his name was not included in the list of those recommended
for transfer with commissions.
Paul
M. Trueblood, Lieutenant, U.S.N.R.F.,
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred to the service
and jurisdiction of the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer
he was a commissioned Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineer in the Coast
and Geodetic Survey.
Effective
Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve
Force and on Oct. 6, 1917, he was ordered for temporary duty to the
U.S. Navy Yard, at Washington, D.C.
On Oct.
25, 1917, he was ordered as Executive Officer to the U.S.S. WILLIAM
ROCKEFELLER at Philadelphia, Pa. This vessel was a tank steamer of
5218 net tons (about 11,000 displacement) and 30 feet draft. After
loading with oil at Philadelphia she proceeded to New York, and thence
to Hampton Roads, and on Nov. 3, sailed in convoy for an unknown destination.
The vessel arrived at Portsmouth, England on Nov. 25, discharged cargo
and sailed on the return trip in convoy one week later. When fifty
miles out of port, on this trip, one vessel of the convoy was torpedoed
and sunk.
Lieutenant
Trueblood remained attached to the U.S.S. WILLIAM ROCKEFELLER as Executive
Officer until Dec. 29, 1917, when he was detached and in accordance
with orders reported to the Supervisor, Naval Auxiliary Reserve, at
New York for duty.
On Jan.
6, 1918, in accordance with orders from the Bureau of Navigation of
the Navy Department, he was detailed to the U.S.S. AROOSTOOK as Navigator.
In connection with rebuilding and outfitting of this ship, he performed
the regular routine, including such work as hull inspection, court
martial duty, care of ships library, organization of lookouts, training
of signal detail etc. The AROOSTOOK, formerly the S. S. BUNKER HILL,
was a 20 knot, twin screw steel steamer of about 5000 tons displacement,
and was converted into a mine layer for duty in the war zone.
On June
16, 1918, the AROOSTOOK, to which Lieutenant Trueblood was attached
as Navigator, sailed from the United States for the U. S. Mine base
in Scotland, and upon arrival the work of laying the North Sea barrage
in connection with the U.S. Mine Squadron was taken up. The Squadron
consisted of ten mine layers, of which the AROOSTOOK was the fastest,
one repair ship and four tugs. Thirteen excursions were made, in which
over 55,000 American Navy type mines were laid in a field 235 miles
long and 20 miles wide. On the mine planting excursions, Lieutenant
Trueblood performed his regular duties as Navigator, stood one watch
in three while cruising to and from the fields and took charge on
the bridge during all of the time when planting was in progress. He
remained attached to the AROOSTOOK until February 25, 1919, when he
was relieved from all active duty in the U.S. Navy, and on the following
day he returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
A copy
of a letter from Captain J. H. Tombs, U.S.N., Commanding Officer of
the U.S.S. AROOSTOOK, commending Lieutenant Trueblood for his services
appears in Part II of this report.
L.
G. Ulrich, U. S. Army (rank unknown):
Served
as Foreman in one of the field parties operated under the Division
of Geodesy, Coast and Geodetic Survey, until April 1, 1918, when he
separated from the party and entered the U.S. Army.
Paul
Vandewynckele, U.S. Army (rank unknown):
Served
as Officers’ Steward on the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer
HYDROGRAPHER until March 15, 1917, when he was discharged at his own
request and entered the U.S. Army.
L.
J. Vess, Coxswain, U.S.N.R.F.:
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey Steamer SURVEYOR to the Service and jurisdiction
of the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer he was Coxswain,
Power Launch, on the SURVEYOR.
Effective
Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Coxswain, in the U. S. Naval Reserve
and he served on the U.S.S. SURVEYOR, but there is no information
on file at this office regarding the length of his service, as he
did not return to the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Frank
E. Waff, Quartermaster, Second Class, U.S.N.R.F.:
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order, 2707, he was transferred with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey Steamer ISIS to the service and jurisdiction of
the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer he was Quartermaster
on the ISIS.
Effective
Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Quartermaster in the U.S. Naval
Reserve Force and he served on the U. S. S. ISIS, but there is no
information on file in this office regarding the length of his service,
as he did not return to the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Eustace
S. Walker, Lieutenant Commander, U. S. N. R.
F.:
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred to the service
and jurisdiction of the Navy Department. Previous to his transfer
he was a commissioned Jr. Hydrographic and Geodetic Engineer in the
Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Effective
Sept. 24, 1917, he was enrolled as Lieutenant (j.g.) in the U.S. Naval
Reserve Force, and on Nov. 5, 1917 he received orders to report for
duty to the Supervisor, U. S. Naval Auxiliary, at New York.
On Dec.
5, 1917, he was assigned to the U. S. S. MERCURY for duty as Navigating
Officer, under Commander H. L. Bringer, U.S.N., Commanding Officer.
The MERCURY
was formerly the BABAROSSA of the North German Lloyd Steamship Company
and was being fitted out for a troop transport. The vessel was of
10983 gross tons, with a length of 526 feet, breadth of 60 feet, depth
34.5 feet, horse power 3,935 and speed of 13.5 knots. She had a carrying
capacity of 3200 troops and 3000 tons of cargo.
On Feb.
28, 1918, Eustace Walker was promoted from Lieutenant (j.g.) U.S.N.R.F.
to Lieutenant, U.S.N.R.F. and on August 9, 1918, he was promoted to
the rank of Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N.R.F.
He served
continuously on the U.S.S. MERCURY, as Navigating Officer, from the
date of his assignment, Dec. 5, 1917 until detached on Feb, 28, 1919.
During the period from Oct. 11, 1918 to Dec. 29, 1918 while the Executive
Officer was absent on account of sickness, he also took up the duties
of that officer.
The vessel
made numerous trips, carrying troops and cargo between the United
States and France, some of which were exciting and dangerous owing
to the frequency in which enemy submarines were sighted and attacked
while the vessel was under convoy.
On March
4, 1919, Lieutenant Commander Walker was relieved from active duty
in the U.S. Navy and returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey on
the following day.
John
T. Watkins, Captain of Engineers, U. S. A.
R. C., Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N.R.F.:
On Sept.
24, 1917, by Executive Order 2707, he was transferred to the service
and jurisdiction of the War Department. Previous to his transfer he
was with the Coast and Geodetic Survey as a commissioned Hydrographic
and Geodetic Engineer.
He remained
in the office of the Coast and Geodetic Survey without having been
assigned to active duty in the Army until Jan. 15, 1918, when he was
enrolled as Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, in accordance
with Executive Order 2775, dated Dec. 19, 1917, which modified Executive
Order 2707, by striking out his name for service with the Army and
adding it to the list to serve with the Navy.
He was
assigned to duty at the U.S. Naval Observatory as Scientific Assistant
to Compass Office. His permanent station was at the Observatory at
Washington, but he had brief temporary assignments at other points
in the United States.
He was
employed on the design of magnetic compasses of the marine and aviation
types and other navigational instruments: preparation of specifications:
instructing manufacturers: superintending manufacture: and inspection
of finished products. He made magnetic surveys of Army and Navy aeroplanes,
Navy dirigibles and submarines and specified, installed and compensated
aviation and marine compasses. He also assisted in the revival of
the Compass School and gave instruction in the use and compensation
of compasses.
While
on field duty he instructed manufacturers at plants at Boston, New
York, Philadelphia and Chicago: made magnetic examinations and installed
and compensated compasses on a Navy dirigible, at Akron, Ohio: Army
plane, at Dayton, Ohio: Navy plane N.C.I, at Rockaway for trans-Atlantic
flight: Navy planes at Norfolk, Va., and Anacostia, D.C.: and Submarine
O-8, at Boston and off Provincetown. He determined magnetic field
at compass station on O-8 for various operating conditions under electric
motors, internal combustion engines and charging. He also made ascents
in flight tests of compasses on aeroplanes at Norfolk and Anacostia
.
He prepared
reports on numerous navigational devices submitted to the Navy by
inventors, contributed a paper on a method of fire control for heavy
ordnance with hidden target, contributed toward the adoption of the
flat card and 0º-360º graduations for all Navy Standard
Compasses, and upon request submitted a program for the Compass Office
of the U.S. Naval Observatory.
He was
promoted to Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N.R.F., on Oct. 19, 1918, was
detached from active duty on March 20, 1919, and on the same date
returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
For further
information, see letter of March 4,1919, from Rear Admiral T.B. Howard,
U.S.N. Ret., in Part II of this report, which refers to the valuable
services of Lieutenant Commander John T. Watkins and eight other officers
of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Wilhelm
Weidlich, Lieutenant (j.g.) U.S.N.R.F.,
On March
22, 1918, his services as Mate in the Coast and Geodetic Survey were
discontinued, without prejudices, in order that he might accept a
commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force.
On January
16, 1918, he was enrolled in the U.S. Naval Reserve Forces and given
the provisional rank and grade of Lieutenant (j.g.) in the Naval Coast
Defense Reserve, for service in the Naval Auxiliary Reserve.
During
the period from the date of his enrollment until assigned to active
duty he was attached to the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATTERSON,
and was on leave of absence, during a part of the time when he was
active in gathering valuable information which eventually lead to
the famous raid of the I. W. W. headquarters at Seattle.
On March
23, 1918, he reported for active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force
and proceeded in accordance with orders to Mare Island Navy Yard,
California, where he was assigned as Navigating Officer to the U.S.S.
CHARLES, under Lieutenant Commander M. Tarply, Commanding Officer.
He served on this vessel until May 13, where he was detached and assigned
for duties with the Twelfth Naval District, where he remained until
Oct. 18, engaged in miscellaneous duties.
From
Oct. 19, 1918, until May 12, 1919, he was attached to the U.S.S. SEQUOIA,
as Executive Officer, under Lieutenant M. Anderson, U.S.N., Commanding
Officer. The vessel was used chiefly as a Light House Tender and for
the training of petty officers for the Navy.
On May
16, 1919, he was relieved from active service in the U.S. Navy and
on May 24, 1919, returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Leon
Welfore, U. S. Navy (rank unknown):
Served
as Quartermaster on the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER
until June 6, 1917, when he was discharged at his own request and
later entered the U.S. Navy.
John
N. Wells, U.S. Navy (rank unknown):
Served
as Wireless Operator on the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATTERSON
until Oct. 18, 1917, when he was discharged at his own request and
entered the U.S. Navy.
There
is no information available at this office regarding his enrollment,
but a letter dated Jun. 7, 1918, states that he went to the Naval
Electrical School, at Mare Island, California.
