17 March, 1941
  
     
 
From: Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
Commandant, First Naval District.
  Commandant, Fourth Naval District.
  Commandant, Fifth Naval District.
   
Subject: Status of Naval Defense of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
   
    1.             In compliance wit orders of the Secretary of the Navy, I assumed command of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier on 10 March, 1941. In connection with these duties I request information as to the current state of the defenses of the Frontier concerning the following:
   
(a)  
 Section Bases - location, expected date of readiness, facilities to be provided.
(b)  
 Obstacles (nets and booms) - delivery date, projected locations of net depots and facilities provided, estimates time to lay with all material on hand.
(c)  
 Deperming Stations and Degaussing Checking Ranges - Location if in operation; otherwise proposed location.
(d)  
 Naval vessels already reported to the Naval District for duty with the Naval Local Defense Force. Include characteristics of these vessels, such as steaming radius, armament, radio equipment, sound or listening gear, other special equipment such as mine sweeping gear, sea-going qualities and length of time vessels can keep at sea. Estimate characteristics where data is not actually known.
(e)  
 Coast Guard vessels normally located in and now operating from the respective Naval Districts.
   
 
      2.             As changes occur due to delivery of material or equipment, completion of facilities, or delivery of vessels for duty with the Naval Local Defense Force, inform Commander NOrth Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier. In the case of vessels reporting for duty with the Naval Local Defense Force, furnish characteristics of these vessels as indicated in paragraph 1 above.  
     
      3.             Submit Naval Local Defense Force Operating Plans, (Rainbow) to Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier in conformity with instructions in WPL-44, paragraph 0306 b. In addition, please furnish a copy of the District Operating Plans of the Services (Rainbow O-6, O-7 and O-8) for the Third Naval District library.  
     
     
    ADOLPHUS ANDREWS    
     
  Copy to: CNO  
 
 
     

 

 

     
     
 
July 10, 1941
  
     
  Serial 52.  
     
 
From: Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
To: Commander, Northeast Defense Command,
  Governers Island, N.Y.
 
Subject: Army and Navy Joint Control and Information Center.
 
     
      1.             With a view to furthering close defense coordination between the two Services, it is suggested that a Joint Control and Information Center be established.  
     
      2.             Survey of possible locations for such a Center indicates that the western area of the 14th floor, Federal Office Building, 90 Church Street, New York City, is the most suitable. With the removal of non-military activities from the building in question, sufficient space in the area mentioned will become available. It is hoped that availability may be accomplished by 1 September.  
     
      3.             The area suggested combines adequate space, centrally located, with close proximity to present Naval Communication installations, as well as convenient accessibility to various types of land communication channels.  
     
      4.             It is proposed that at the suggested Joint Control and Information Center, there be present, when desirable, Army liaison officers, who together with representatives of the Navy, could work closely on defense problems. This close contact, it is believed, would be of value in expediting action connected with questions relating to Sub-Sector and Sector defense, as well as decisions in maters pertaining to the Northeast Command and Naval Coastal Frontier.  
     
      5.             To illustrate the operation of the proposed Information and Control Center in a particular situation, the following case is presented.  
     
          A radio position report is received through Naval Communications of an enemy aircraft carrier off the coast. Quick decision and action is essential. With liaison officers present from the Army First Air Force, a bomber attack can be initiated and coordinated with both Naval Coastal Frontier Aviation and such Atlantic Fleet Aviation as may be within striking distance. At the same time, the Army Air Defense Information Center can be informed of the situation, and of the action taken, so that the Army Air Interceptor Command can prepare to meet the threat of enemy land bombing attack.  
     
      6.             If the above proposal, in brief outline, is agreeable, it is felt that details in execution can be readily adjusted between the two Services. This Command will be happy to cooperate in every possible way to obtain close coordination in joint effort.  
     
  copy to: Chief of Naval Operations.  
      ADOLPHUS ANDREWS  
     

 

 

     
     
 
December 22, 1941
  
     
 
From: Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
To: Chief of Naval Operations
 
Subject: Status of Available Surface Forces, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
   
 
      1.             Under WPL-46 the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier was to be considered in Category "B". Certain units were assigned as Coastal Forces to defend the Frontier under this category.  
     
      2.             In accordance with orders, this Coastal Force has been materially depleted.  
     
      3.             The North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier has since been placed in Category "C". Various warnings have been issued as to probable imminent action by enemy submarines.  
     
      4.             A summary of forces capable of taking limited action against enemy submarines within even a short distance offshore shows the following vessels are at this time available in an emergency, but only by denuding the Local Defense Forces:  
 
 
 
First Naval District NOB Newport Third Naval District
     
SIREN - PY13 None ACTIVE - 125' C.G.
DIX - 125' C.G.   ANTIETAM - 125' C.G.
EAGLE - 27   (SYLPH - PY12, overhaul)
     
(DUBUQUE - PG17 at Hampton Roads Training Gun's Crews)   (PADUACH - PG18 at Hampton Roads Training Gun's Crews)
     
Fourth Naval District Fifth Naval District
     
EAGLE - 56   DIONE - 165' C.G.
(Coral - PY15 at Hampton Roads Training Gun's Crews)   FREDERICK LEE - 125' C.G.
    JACKSON - 125' C.G.
    TOURNALINE - PY20.
    RUSH - 125' C.G.
    EAGLE - 19
    SC's 330, 412, 102, 437
 
 
 
     
     
 
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Subject: Status of Available Surface Forces, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
   
 
      5.             An examination of the foregoing list shows vessels varying in speed from 9 knots to a possible 15 knots for the Eagle boats and the DIONE of 16 1/2 knots. The Coast Guard Cutters are the best fitted for anti-submarine work, but are small and are mostly fully occupied in their regular Coast Guard duties. There is not a vessel available that an enemy submarine could not outdistance when operating on the surface. In most cases the guns of these vessels would be outranged by those of the submarine. The limited capabilities of these vessels are apparent.  
     
      6.             Considering the foregoing and the long coastline, it is submitted that should enemy submarines operate off this coast, this Command has no forces available to take adequate action against them, either offensive or defensive.  
     
      7.             Transmission of this document via Registered Mail is authorized within the continental limits of the United States.  
     
     
 
 
 
 
      ADOLPHUS ANDREWS  
     
     
  Copy to: Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
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