09/01 Mon. Navy assumes responsibility for trans-Atlantic convoys from point off Argentia to meridian of Iceland. Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet (Adm. E. J. King) designates a task group as a Denmark Strait Patrol to operate in waters between Iceland and Greenland. 09/04 Thu. Destroyer GREER (DD-145), while tracking German submarine 175 miles southwest of Iceland, is attacked but not damaged. 09/07 Sun. United States merchant ship STEEL SEAFARER is sunk by German air attack in Gulf of Suez. 09/09 Tue. Naval Coast Frontier Forces are formed. 09/11 Thu. President announces order to Navy to attack any vessel threatening United States shipping or ships under United States escort. 09/12 Fri. Coast Guard cutter NORTHLAND (PG-49) seizes Norwegian trawler BUSKOE in MacKenzie Bay, Greenland; BUSKOE's mission was to establish and service German radio weather stations in Greenland. 09/17 Wed. United States Navy escorts eastbound British trans-Atlantic convoy for the first time. 09/26 Fri. Navy orders protection of all ships engaged in commerce in United States defensive waters - by patrolling, covering, escorting, and by reporting or destroying German and Italian naval forces encountered. 09/27 Sat. First Liberty Ship, SS PATRICK HENRY, is launched at Baltimore, Md.