Claim: King never assumed command of the trawler USS Richard Bulkeley on July 7, 1919, during minesweeping operations in the North Sea; then on July 12, 1919, his ship struck a mine and went down in only seven minutes.
Evidence: Commander Frank Ragan King assumed command of the trawler Richard Buckley 7 July 1919 during minesweeping operations in the North Sea.