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Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

 

RECEIVED: June 20, 1917.     FROM: Admiralty.

TO:  Commander-in-Chief (Queenstown).     

498.      Following for Admiral Sims. Begins. There will be no additional movements before August of Troops (stop) You will be furnished fully with information as to sailing of Army Supply ships as far as possible in advance and the actual sailing intended route and probable dates of arrival will be reported1 (stop) We hope to sail four Army Supply ships now fitting out in about ten days’ time (stop) the 32 destroyers which are all that there are available have sailed (stop) 110- foot chasers which are to be sent to France should begin to deliver in August (stop) Fishing vessels twelve in number will sail in August for France (stop) There are no other small craft available at present although work on Yachts is being pushed probably ready 15th July (stop) In regard to convoy I consider that American vessels having armed guards are safer when sailing independently.2 <Daniels.>

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The signature was handwritten.

Footnote 1: Sims requested advance notice of the troop convoys in his cable to Daniels of 11 June 1917, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 2: Sims had been promoting the idea of convoying for merchantmen sailing to Europe. See: Sims to Daniels, 1 May 1917; and Sims to Daniels, 31 May 1917; also Sims to Leigh C. Palmer, 1 May 1917.

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