[Leendert]

In the first days of July 1918 some newspapers in Holland report that a Dutch trawler had picked up a crew of 5 men who had came down in the North Sea (near Buoy 4) "in a water plane of sizable proportions (and) of American nationality"
Airplane apparently had had mechanical problems.

Crew said to be American and men were taken on board of the fishing vessel. On request of crew the trawler then ran through the aircraft to let it sink.

The trawler later transferred the crew to a passing British warship.

Who has an idea of the identity of this presumably USN flying boat and crew?

I know of RAF Felixstowe losses and damages etc. over the North Sea on both 4 June and 4 July 1918, but the stories around these don't quite match with the newspaper stories as above.

Were there any USN a/c losses in early summer 1918, either thru enemy action or accidental, that resemble what was written in the newspapers?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Regards,

Leendert