Far Seas: The U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters, 1920-1922
THE ARCHIVES BRANCH MAINTAINS REFERENCE COPIES OF THIS COLLECTION. THE ORIGINALS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE NAVY DEPARTMENT LIBRARY.
Finding aid (PDF)
Historical Note
The U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters grew out of the aftermath of World War I. Weakened by the war, Turkey was thrown into further confusion by the collapse of the Sultan and the rise of Kemal Ataturk's regime. Seeing an opportunity to defeat an old enemy, Greece launched an invasion in 1919, touching off the bloody Chanuk War. Although the Greeks were finally defeated by Ataturk's strengthened army in 1920, the Allied powers of World War I feared the conflict would escalate and draw them into a new war in the Near East.
The effects of renewed fighting were compounded by a campaign of terror by Turkey against its own Greek citizens. By this point the situation had become volatile enough to concern President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson sent a squadron, the Detachment Protecting Americans and American Interests in Turkish Waters, to the area. Built around the heavy cruiser USS St. Louis as flagship, the Detachment included USS Scorpion, Chattanooga, Fox, Humpherys, Gilmer, Borie, Smith Thompson, Tracey, Long, John Edwards,Whipple, Barker, and Overton, and the boats USS C. 96 and C. 338.
Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol was appointed to command the Detachment. Soon after Bristol's arrival Wilson convinced the French and British governments to agree to his being named Allied High Commissioner in Turkey. A skilled diplomat, Bristol remained in Turkey until 1929 promoting American interests, safeguarding American citizens, and assisting in treaty negotiations.
Scope and Content Note
Far Seas was published weekly by the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters beginning with the 19 November 1920 issue. Each issue included a variety of articles, including news from home and ships assigned to the Detachment. Personal notes, anecdotes, and reports of leisure activities such as sporting events and dances were printed as well, along with cartoons and photographs. The newspaper ceased publication with issue 65 in February 1922, following a directive that prohibited the publication of any service paper at government expense.
This collection is approximately two-thirds complete, and contains copies of Far Seas dating from 4 December 1920 through 18 February 1922. The papers are arranged in chronological order.
Holdings
Issue |
Date |
3 |
4 December 1920 |
6 |
1 January 1921 |
7 |
8 January 1921 |
8 |
15 January 1921 |
9 |
22 January 1921 |
10 |
29 January 1921 |
11 |
5 February 1921 |
12 |
12 February 1921 |
15 |
5 March 1921 |
16 |
12 March 1921 |
17 |
19 March 1921 |
18 |
26 March 1921 |
19 |
2 April 1921 |
20 |
9 April 1921 |
21 |
16 April 1921 |
22 |
23 April 1921 |
23 |
30 April 1921 |
25 |
14 May 1921 |
27 |
28 May 1921 |
29 |
11 June 1921 |
30 |
18 June 1921 |
41 |
3 September 1921 |
43 |
17 September 1921 |
44 |
24 September 1921 |
45 |
1 October 1921 |
46 |
8 October 1921 |
47 |
15 October 1921 |
48 |
22 October 1921 |
49 |
29 October 1921 |
50 |
5 November 1921 |
56 |
17 December 1921 |
57 |
24 December 1921 |
58 |
31 December 1921 |
59 |
7 January 1922 |
60 |
14 January 1922 |
61 |
21 January 1922 |
63 |
4 February 1922 |
64 |
11 February 1922 |
65 |
18 February 1922 |
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as Far Seas, Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.
Subject Headings (LCSH)
United States. Navy--History--Sources.
United States Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters--Periodicals.
United States. Navy--Peace-time activities.
Extent
0.25 cubic feet