Commander John V. Babcock, Aide to Rear Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Destroyers Operating from British Bases, to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
MEJ.
Patrol, Report on
CABLE DESPATCH
25-10-2
<May 4, 1917>
<To: SecNav, Washington.
Through Admiralty>
Request following telegram may be communicated to Secretary of Navy Washington
Begins. 8th Division of Destroyers arrived 3 May noon in excellent condition (stop)1 Heavy weather passage (stop) 10 hours repairs enroute (stop) Advise other forces not attempt over twelve knots until war zone is reached (stop) Important send double supply ammunition and torpedoes and reserves of officers and men to cover sickness and other casualties (stop) Recommend following reserve personnel for six destroyers six officers six deck six engine and six fire room petty officers four radio operators twelve seamen twelve firemen four quartermasters four yeomen four servents (stop) Service arduous personnel must be of experience (stop) No special equipment required except plenty heavy clothing and life belts (stop) Signed BABCOCK by direction.
REFERENCE NO.
NO. OF COPIES.
Source Note: CCy, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/655. At the top left of the document is a “From/To” that was heavily crossed out and is unreadable. Portions in angle brackets, including the recipient and the date, were handwritten additions, probably at a later date. “MEJ” was probably the initials of the typist. Babcock was an aide to RAdm. William S. Sims.
Footnote 1: For more on the arrival of this division of U.S. Navy destroyers at Queenstown, Ireland, see: Diary of Joseph K. Taussig, 3 May 1917.
