U.S. Navy
US Navy Minesweeping
US Mine-sweeping Flotilla at Kirkwall, Orkney.
Orkney Herald - Wednesday 07 May 1919
ARRIVAL OF AMERICAN MINE-SWEEPERS AT KIRKWALL.—During last week a number of American mine-sweepers and submarine chasers, accompanied by a large depot ship, anchored in Kirkwall Bay. These are to be based here for a number of months, while operations for the destruction of a large mine-field in the North Sea are in progress. In the evenings the streets of Kirkwall have been crowded with liberty men from Uncle Sam's flotilla. The inhabitants of the town have already taken kindly to the strangers, who in their turn give expression to their satisfaction with all they have seen in the quaint northern town. Ample provision has been made for the comfort of the men while ashore by the American branch of the Y.M.C.A. in the two large huts erected off Junction Road. The shopkeepers in town are having a busy time in the evenings supplying the wants of the visitors. The harbour front is also a scene of much animation each evening. Crowds of liberty men gather there to await the coming of the boats to convey them back to their vessels, and pass away the time in various ways. At one place may be seen a knot of sailors surrounded by a gang of happy youngsters who are shouting and scrambling for the coins that are thrown into the air, and the Americans seem to be highly delighted at the mirth-provoking actions of the boys as they vie with each other in their efforts to get possession of this unique shower from the air. Another lot of sailors are seen dancing to impromptu music derived from a harmonium. Altogether the utmost bon-homie prevails, and the townspeople, who are keenly interested in these scenes, only disperse when the last of the liberty men embark. We trust that nothing will occur during the stay of our American Allies In Orkney waters to mar the good feeling entertained towards them by all classes of the citizens of Kirkwall. A message from Christiania, Norway, states that about 30 British and American mine-sweepers have taken up their stations at Lerwick Store, South of Bergen, for mine-sweeping purposes on that side of the North Sea. Some of the ships, taking advantage of the fine weather, have started work.
ARRIVAL OF AMERICAN MINE-SWEEPERS AT KIRKWALL.—During last week a number of American mine-sweepers and submarine chasers, accompanied by a large depot ship, anchored in Kirkwall Bay. These are to be based here for a number of months, while operations for the destruction of a large mine-field in the North Sea are in progress. In the evenings the streets of Kirkwall have been crowded with liberty men from Uncle Sam's flotilla. The inhabitants of the town have already taken kindly to the strangers, who in their turn give expression to their satisfaction with all they have seen in the quaint northern town. Ample provision has been made for the comfort of the men while ashore by the American branch of the Y.M.C.A. in the two large huts erected off Junction Road. The shopkeepers in town are having a busy time in the evenings supplying the wants of the visitors. The harbour front is also a scene of much animation each evening. Crowds of liberty men gather there to await the coming of the boats to convey them back to their vessels, and pass away the time in various ways. At one place may be seen a knot of sailors surrounded by a gang of happy youngsters who are shouting and scrambling for the coins that are thrown into the air, and the Americans seem to be highly delighted at the mirth-provoking actions of the boys as they vie with each other in their efforts to get possession of this unique shower from the air. Another lot of sailors are seen dancing to impromptu music derived from a harmonium. Altogether the utmost bon-homie prevails, and the townspeople, who are keenly interested in these scenes, only disperse when the last of the liberty men embark. We trust that nothing will occur during the stay of our American Allies In Orkney waters to mar the good feeling entertained towards them by all classes of the citizens of Kirkwall. A message from Christiania, Norway, states that about 30 British and American mine-sweepers have taken up their stations at Lerwick Store, South of Bergen, for mine-sweeping purposes on that side of the North Sea. Some of the ships, taking advantage of the fine weather, have started work.
The Northern Barrage Minefield.
