Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

MERCANTILE CONVOY

          17 March 1918

Opnav Washington                                     5246

C-1                     SX

                             25 ADR

              VERY SECRET

5426. “In order to expedite turn around of shipping particularly of fast liners from Halifax convoys will hereafter sail from New York. Equivalent tonnage to usual loading ports will be made good by slower vessels. Pending redistribution of shipping which will require about three weeks fast vessels loading in Halifax will join convoy sailing from New York. In order to provide for transport of Canadian troops, coolies, etc., it will probably be necessary to divert one of the large ships to Halifax from time to time. This diversion however will not reduce flow of US troops as equivalent transports will be made available at New York”. 21217

5426 Sims