Memorandum from the Chief of Naval Operations to the Department of the Navy

change WAC062 PD WUX CD NEWYORK NY NOV 15 1949 1155A 03(55) act 006 20-21-22- CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATION 202 - CWO -throng UNITED STATES NAVY NAVY DEPT WASHDC Ravard Sechav- Keep if HAVE WIRED SECRETARY OF STATE ACHESON AS FOLLOWS QUOTE OUR XA AMERICAN STEAMER FLYING CLOUD LEFT WOOSUNG 10 O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT A.M. FOURTEENTH THE IR TIME FOR FUSAN ON HER SCHEDULED ROUND WORLD LINER SERVICE MASTER REPORTS WHEN LEAVING YANGTZE RIVER WAS FIRED UPON BY NATIONALIST CHINA WARSHIP WHICH FIRED HUNDREDS OF SHELLS AT HIS VESSEL AND CREW CAUSING SEVERAL HOLES SHIPS SIDE UP TO THIRTEEN INCH DIAMETER MOST DAMAGE BE I NG BELOW UPPER TWEEN DECK FORTUNATELY NONE OF CREW KILLED OR INJURED STOP MASTER HAS JUST ADVISED US BY RADIO SENT 8:40 GMT TODAY HIS VESSEL ANCHORING OUTSIDE FOR EXAMINATION OF EXTENT DAMAGE AND ATTEMPTING BOLT PLATES OUTSIDE AND CEMENT BOXES INSIDE STOP WE HAVE WIRED CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS REQUESTING ASCERTAIN X VESSEL'S SITUATION AND ST a ARCHIVES 'NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE" AND E FURNISH ANY NECESSARY ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY STOP ON OCTOBER for FIFTH YOU OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WOULD VIEW SERIOUSLY ANY ATTACK ON AMERICAN MERCHANT VESSELS BY NATIONALIST CHINA WARSHIPS OR AIRPLANES ATTEMPTING TO ENFORCE NATIONALIST CHINA PURPORTED BLOCKADE END 1.. o