Navy Department Communique No. 26

JANUARY 9, 1942

Far East.
The S. S. Ruth Alexander, attacked by an enemy plane in Netherlands East Indies waters has been abandoned and declared a total loss. One of the crew was killed and four were injured. The balance of the survivors are safe in a friendly port. The Ruth Alexander of the American President Lines was a vessel of 8,000 gross tons.

Central Pacific.
Operations continue against enemy submarines. The Hawaiian area is quiet.

Eastern Pacific.
Coastal defense plans have resulted in a narrowing of enemy submarine operations off the West Coast.

Atlantic Area.
A report that an enemy submarine was operating in New England waters has been thoroughly investigated. The area has been searched without tangible results. Otherwise, Atlantic operations have been without incident.