Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

CABLEGRAM. <October 8, 1918.>

Origin:   OPNAV, WASHINGTON.

Date: 9 October.                  Ser. No. 2816.

Simsadus.

2816. The approximate delivery to you of destroyers is hoped to be October 10, November 12, December 13, total 35. Of this number, how many do you propose to allocate to French Bay Ports and to Mediterranean Sea. This information necessary in order to estimate number which should be allocated by month to bases in British waters. Number required in British waters exclusive of present force and future Ford boats1 is at least 94. Output up to 31st August, 1919, is estimated at total 143 boats, average delivery 17 boats per month. Deducting 30 percent from this total will leave 100 boats which may be delivered between 1 January and 31 August. Rush reply2 21008. 2816.

Benson.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date notation following the text of the cable.

Footnote 1: Also known as Eagle boats.

Related Content