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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Bureau of Ordnance

CABLEGRAM SENT August 22, 1917

To Opnav for Buord, Washington                             Serial No. 330

Via N C B D                                                                    File No. 20-3-6

Opnav 187. Lieutenant Rodolph H. F. de Salis, R.N., D.S.C., sailing twenty second ORDUNA for inspection and test of mines as requested stop His report on suitability of type will be accepted by Admiralty Stop In the event that tests show mine to be suitable for operations in Contemplation further arrangements for cooperation will be made.

                                      Sims

Note for Files:

This dispatch as written

is agreed to by Adm. Halsey,

Admiralty, who has copy

8-22 E.C. Tobey1

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Sims here is speaking of the MK VI mine, a 34 in (86 cm) diameter steel sphere containing a buoyancy chamber and 300 lbs of TNT. Conceived for the Northern Barrage, the MK VI was one of the most important technological developments made by the U.S. Navy in World War I; Sims, Victory at Sea, 292-293, and Friedman, Naval Weapons, 375-376.

Footnote 1: Third Sea Lord Adm. Sir Lionel Halsey and Paymaster Eugene C. Tobey.

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