Description:

WWI Sec of the Navy Josephus Daniels TLS on Anti-Submarine Tactics, Just After USA Enters the War

A typed letter signed from WWI Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, concerning submarines. 1p, measuring 8" x 10.25", Washington, D.C., dated April 26, 1917. Signed "Josephus Daniels" and addressed to Augustus Thomas in New York, Daniels discusses the use of "glass bottom Coronado boats" to search for submarines. With flattened folds and faint soiling. A few pencil notations at the upper margin. Boldly signed.

In part:
"…as to the glass bottom Coronado boats, and suggestions for the use of such device in searching for submarines, has been referred to this Department and given very careful consideration. The idea is attractive, but under the conditions which exist on practically all of our coasts, can not be carried out to any extent because of the opacity of the water. Our submarines are fitted with glass ports in the conning towers, and careful observation shows that only under very exceptional conditions of clearness is it possible to see a material distance through the water. Even in the West Indies where the water is so very clear, a submarine at a good depth could not be seen. The Department has encouraged an inventor who is working on a particularly powerful searchlight with a view of being able to see further through the water, but so far his results have not been very encouraging. Our great desideratum is some means for locating, at a reasonable distance, a moving submarine from a surface vessel. If that problem is solved, it will be comparatively easy for the surface vessel to place itself above the submarine, - a condition which would otherwise occur only by chance…"

On April 6, 1917, the United States officially entered the First World War. Josephus Daniels (1913–1921) had been appointed as Secretary of the Navy in March 1913, and he was promptly contacted by President Wilson about the need for American naval vessels to protect American waters against possible German submarine attack.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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