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Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Richard H. Jackson, American Naval Representative in Paris, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Cablegram Received  June 01205 <June 5, 1917.>

Origin Amnavpar, Paris.1

CONFIDENTIAL

Simsadus.2

2103. Your 2443. My 2083 is an indirect answer. American destroyers are always assisting in New York, N.Y. and Verdon3 convoy. From June 5th French draw from other sources 2 escorting vessels thus regularly assigned to convoy to release 2 American destroyers. French say very difficult to guarantee number of escorting vessels for convoy, as they are trying to escort 60,000 of troops from Dakar, and are meeting situation as it arises. Have again asked for direct reply. Order to release 2 American destroyers from this New York and Verdon goes into effect June 5, and 2 vessels from other duty now are added to detail.4 01405. 2103.

Jackson.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B

Footnote 1: In May, the French Naval Attaché at London, Adm. Maurice Henri Baron Mercier de Lostende, requested that the United States Navy send an officer to Paris to coordinate Allied naval action with Sims in London. Jackson was selected for the assignment, and acted as Sims’ representative at the French Ministry of Marine. See: Sims to Daniels, 30 May, 1917.

Footnote 2: Sims’ headquarters in London.

Footnote 3: Le Verdon sur Mer, a French port in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Footnote 4: Jackson was advocating for two American destroyers to leave a supply convoy en route from New York City to Verdon in order to protect the first troop convoys departing from the United States later that month.

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