German submarine UC 20 bombarded Homs according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 4 August 1917

An item reported that the German submarine UC 20 commanded by overleutnant von der Lühe fired 44 shots at barracks and military objects ar Homs [Syria?] sighting one flawless hit.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Romanian cargo ship Peles bound for the Mediterranean according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 17 February 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 17 February 1940 No. 758 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on12 February the Romanian cargo ship Peles (coming from Romania loaded with 300 wagon boards bound for Tripoli in Syria, Beirut, Libya, Haifa, Palestina and Alexandria, Egypt.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459.

Romanian merchant ship Oituz underway to Syria and Lebanon leaving the Black Sea according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 24 February 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 24 February 1940 No. 774 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 23 February the Romanian merchant ship Oituz with 225 waggons boards from Constanta for Tripolis (Syria) and Beirut (Lebanon).

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459.

Romanian steamship Bucegi bound for Libya, Syria and Palestina according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 27 January 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 27 January 1940 No. 690g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 22 January the Romanian steamship Bucegi loaded with 2,500 ton wheat and boards underway from Constanta, Romania towards Tripolis, Syria (?), Beirut, Libya and Hafia, Palestina.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for , Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459.

The Greek and Turkish navies in the Levant according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 4 March 1823

Ipsara, 24 December 1822. In the morning of 22 December warned the telegraph that the Turkish squadron arrived and all men went to their posts fearing for an attack. The squadron consisted of 21 ships namely 1 frigate, 3 corvettes and 17 brigs and cruised between Ipsara and Chio. The Greeks had around 40 vessels at Ipsara of which the half was unarmed. Recently two brigs of Ipsara captured of the Syrian coasts four Turkish vessels with cargoes of a total value of 450.000 piasters. The 60 Turkish sailors were sent on land with enough victuals.

Soviet Union founding naval base in Syria according to the Dutch newspaper Het nieuwsblad voor Sumatra dated 9 October 1957

An item reported that usual reliable sources in Istanbul said that Syria accepted the Soviets offer to build a navy base in Latakia. This was a result of the negotiations at Damascus between vice admiral Kotow commanding officer of the Soviet squadron which recently visited Syria and Syrian authorities.

The Turkish and Egyptian navies according to the Dutch newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 31 October 1839

The Egyptian Government finally begun with paying the crews of the Turkish fleet, which were waiting for 4 months of pay. The money, which originally had been on board of the ships, was partly used to pay the army in Syria. The officers and sailors were still discontented.

The British and French navies in the Mediterranean according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 15 August 1840

In letters from Toulon dated 7 and 8 August was with commotion written about the extra ordinary haste caused by telegraphic messages from Paris to fit out and arm ships. For the moment were 3 ships of the line and 6 frigates to be made ready for departure, the latter even to be able for departure the 15th. At Paris were tidings from Malta dated the 3rd received that the British admiral Stopford was ordered with his whole fleet of 13 ships of the line to collect off the Syrian coast and immediately responded. France had at that moment just 7 ships of the line off the Syrian coast and it was believed at Paris to reinforce that force immediately with all available French warships in the Mediterranean.

The Egyptian fleet in the Mediterranean according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 6 August 1840

The French newspaper Moniteur of Paris dated 3 August published a telegram from the prefect at Marseille to the president of the council that lieutenant Sparck commanding the British packet boat Prometheus which departed 28 July from Malta and arriving at Marseille reported that the Egyptian fleet returned at Alexandria with a part of the troops which were brought to Syria. Sparck was informed by the master of a packet boat coming from Beirut and Alexandria.

The British, French and Turkish navies in the Mediterranean according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 13 August 1840

The newspaper Algemeine Zeitung of Augsburg published a letter from Alexandria dated 23 July. According to this letters was yesterday [22 July?} after the arrival of a steamboat from the Pasha coming from Beirut immediately the departure of 3 ships of the line towards Syria ordered without giving a reason. According to the rumours perhaps to transport he Alban soldiers being there.

The correspondent of the newspaper la Presse claimed that France started the negotiations between Constantinople and the Pasha of Egypt to return the Turkish fleet. From the French sea harbours came constant tidings dealing with the strengthening of the French fleet in the Mediterranean, something England didn’t do. According to the newest information consisted the French navy in that area of 15 ships of the line wit total 1.356 guns, 1-52 gun frigate, 21 small vessels and 21 armed steamships, not counting the 10 steamboats for the Levant trade which if necessary also could be fitted out for war purposes. This strength could be enforced within short time with another 3 ships of the line with 392 guns total. The British fleet consisted of 11 ships of the line with 890 guns total, 13 small vessels and 11 steamships. With the ships of the line at Lisbon and 4 more form British harbours this force could be strengthened within short time with another 6 ships of the line with 496 guns total.

The Turkish and Egyptian navies according to the Dutch newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 26 June 1838

The Egyptian fleet left Alexandria to patrol off the Syrian coast. The Turkish fleet was lying at anchor, but ready to depart.

Movements of the Greek and Turkish navies in the Mediterranean according to the Dutch newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 17 November 1821

Alexandria, 5 August. The pasha Mehemet-Ali arrived in this town. Messages from Constantinople were brought and which he was ordered to sent some more vessels. This was a problem because of his 22 ships he already sent 16 which joined the Turkish fleet. The remaining vessels were needed for protecting the coasts of Egypt and the Syrian fairways.

Paris, 12 November. Tidings from Constantinople dated 22 October mentioned the arrival of captain Bergamine flying the Russian flag, supporting the hope for peace. There were rumours that the Turkish fleet rescued the squadron commanded by the Kapitan Bey in the Gulf of Lepante and that 20, others said 50, Greek ships were captured. The Idriots and the Ipsariots returned to their harbours.

Movements of the Turkish and Egyptian navies according to the Dutch newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 17 November 1836

The British order given to Mehemet-Ali, Pasha of Egypt, seems to have little effort. Ordered was to disarm the Egyptian fleet and not longer to strengthen her. There were none ships unrigged, but in contrary many vessels sent to the coasts of Syria and Koramanie to collect the 50.000 pieces of timber left there by Ibrahim Pasha, son of Mehemet. With great impatience Mehemet waited for this timber, wanting to built new ships and enlarge his navy.

Naval strength of Syria according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuw Israelietisch weekblad dated 13 August 1965

An item reported that the navy consisted of two former Russian minesweepers, 6 submarines (three former French and three former Russian), four patrol vessels, 12 motor torpedo boats, four landing crafts and six smaller vessels and a personnel strength of 1,300 men. The details were supplied by Mr. David Wood of the Institute for Strategy.

The Soviet shipyards at Petrozavodsk according to a CIA report dated September 1967

An item reported that the Petrozavodsk Shipyard South 789 with the geographic coordinates 61,45.40 North and 34.27.30 East was located at the east border of Petrozavodsk on Ozero Onezhskoye, Russia. The rail served shipyard built Vanya-class MSI’s (1) and possessed over 2 end-haul marine railways, a fitting out basin, a quay and 3 shop and 9 support buildings.

Further more was a small shipyard at the same location a shipyard with the geographic coordinates 61.46.20 North and 034.26.25 East and which possessed over one end-haul marine railway, 2 piers and 4 shop and 20 support buildings. And at the same location was the repair shipyard Petrosavodsk Ship Repair Yard North Bop with the geographic coordinates 61.47.20 North and 34.24.00 East. This repair yard possessed one end-haul marine railway with transverse and several ways, two piers, an off-shore wharf and one shop and 8 support buildings.

Note
1. Vanya-class minesweepers Project 257 of which units served in the Soviet, Bulgarian and Syrian Arab navy, preceded by the Sasha-class and succeeded by the Zhenya-class, built between 1960-1973 with a total of 47 of which 46 still were in service in mid1990s. Displacement 200 9standard)-260 (full load) tons and as dimensions 40,2 x 7,7 x 1,7 metres. Fitted out with diesel engines with a horsepower of 2.200 hp allowing a speed of 16 knots and with a speed of 10 knots was their range 2.400 nautical miles. Crew numbered 30 men. Armament consisted of 2-3cm guns, 8 mines and sweeping devices.

Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP78T04759A007300010035-9

Syrian tug Zat Ul Sawari built at Budapest, Hungary according to the Dutch newspaper De waarheid dated 3 May 1957

An item reported that the tug Zat-ul-Savari executed her trials on the Danube and was built by the shipyard Obudai Hajogyuar [Ganz Danibius Shipyard&Machine Factory], Budapest, Hungary built for Syrian account. She was the second of a series of tugs to be built this yard for a Syrian harbour company. Length 29 metres. Machinery consisted of 1-660hp engine and 3 auxiliary engines. Combination of a tug, a rescue and a fire fighting vessel.(1)

Note
1. IMO 5397927, gross tonnage 174 tons and dimensions 28,48 x 6,89 metres. The Zat Ul Sawari. 

Italian built torpedo boats for the Arab League according to a CIA report dated 5 January 1949

An item reported that the Baglietto Naval Yards at Varazze, Italy received orders to built 6 torpedo boats (so-called MASs) each with as building costs 140 million lire. The armament was to consist of 2-45cm torpedo tubes and 2-2 machineguns. Length 18,70 metres. The Asso engine delivered by Isotta Fraschini was to make a minimum speed of 42 knots possible and was to be teste during 70 minutes with 950hp and 10 minutes with full power. The boats were destined for the Arab League (1) and were contracted via the mediation of G.S. Sabbak of Beirut, Lebanon and M. Chacour, Damascus, Syria, who received 5% commission for this transaction.

Note
1. A organisation founded on 22 March 1945 at Cairo, Egypt consisting of the Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq, Transjordan (since 1949 Jordan), Lebanon , Saudi Arabia and Syria to which Yemen was added of 5 May 1945. Since then increased the number of members to 22 with Syria yet suspended since November 2011.

Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP82-00457R002200330004-1

French Assemblée Nationale Française wanted explanation for problems on board of the Admiral Charner and Dordogne according to the Dutch newspaper De Sumatra Post dated 1 October 1901

An item reported that the French minister of navy was asked by the Assemblée Nationale Française to explain had happened on board of the cruiser Amiral Charner (1) and the transport Dordogne. The cruiser enrolled at Suez, Egypt European stokers which would earn in this manner their passage from Suez towards Djibouti possible had not ever worked in an engine room. Almost all became sick with as result that crewmembers had to work in the engine rooms and of which also several became sick. The Dordogne was such old that just with continuously pumping she was kept floating. Just after passing Suez, Egypt she was forced to return when suddenly a leak occurred. She was underway towards China with 518 military also just have 4 lifeboats and 50 lifebuoys on board.

Note
1. Armoured cruiser of the Amiral Charner-class, laid down by Arsenal de Rochefort in June 1889, launched on 18 March 1893, commissioned in 26 August 1885 and sunk by the German submarine U-21 underway from Ruad Island, Syria towards Port Said, Egypt on 8 February 1916. 

Italian squadron leaving La Spezia without known destination according to the Dutch newspaper De Indische courant dated 11 November 1925

An item dated Berlin, Germany 9th reported that an Italian squadron consisting of a battle cruiser and 4 torpedo boats left the naval base of La Spezia. Magazines stated that this was probably related to what happened in Syria at that moment.(1)

Note
1. The Great Syrian Revolt or Great Druze Revolt, which was an uprising against the French ruling in Mandatory Syria and Lebanon between July 1925-June 1927. A League of Nations mandate, earlier part of the Ottoman Empire. 

American armoured cruiser USS Tennessees stayed at Alexandria, Egypt according to the Dutch newspaper Bataviaasch nieuwsblad dated 26 December 1914

An item dated Alexandria, Egypt 24th reported that the departure of the American cruiser Tennessee was suddenly delayed, probably to wait for the events at the Syrian coast.(1)

Note
1. Part of the Tennessee-class armoured cruiser consisting of the Tennessee, Washington, North Carolina and Montana, preceded by the Pennsylvania-class but never succeeded. There were none armoured cruisers further built as believed that an armoured cruiser became an obsolete design replaced by the battle cruiser concept like that of the British Invincible-class. Also referred to as Armored Cruiser No. 10. Building ordered on 1 July 1902, building awarded on 9 February 1903, laid down at William Cramp&Sons, Philadelphia, USA on 20 June 1903, launched by miss Annie K. Frazier on 3 December 1904, commissioned on 17 July 1906, renamed Memphis on 25 May 1916, wrecked in the harbour of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on 29 August 1916 and sold to A.H. Radetsky Iron and Metal Company, Denver, Colorado, USA be broken up on 17 January 1922. Not earlier as in 1938 was she complete broken up.