In the fall of 1918, shortly before the Armistice, Rear Admiral Newton A. McCully assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces in Northern Russia. With the signing of the Armistice, the rationale for keeping US troops in northern Russia became less obvious, and plans were made to move US troops out of the area.
In 1919, Admiral Sims confirmed his support for McCully's recommendation that chasers be sent to the White Sea to assist in this. A dozen chasers were fitted for this duty, with two deck guns (one replacing the depth charge launcher) and rapid-fire guns. Eventually this was pared down to a single unit of three chasers: SC 354, SC 256 and SC 95.
In my book (page 142) I show a photo of US and Russian officers having a meal on board SC 354. Here's another shot from a bit deeper in the archives, most likely from the same event (and not in great condition), showing McCully and Russian officers on deck.
The US chasers at Archangel engaged in target practice, probably for the sake of demonstrating their firepower; and toured the area to show their presence, to meet with Russian officers, and to see the sights including a visit to the monastery at Solovetski Island.
--Todd Woofenden, editor