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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral Hugh Rodman, Commander, Battleship Division Nine, to Battleship Division Nine

U.S.Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

          Battleship Division Nine

          United States Atlantic Fleet

File 279  U.S.S.NEW YORK, Flagship.                1/H

11 September 1918.

From:     Commander BATTLESHIP DIVISION NINE.

To:       BATTLESHIP DIVISION NINE.

Subject:  Use of Alcoholic Stimulants.

     1.   Recent orders from the Secretary of the Navy1 make it apparent that it is the Department’s policy and desire that no officer or man shall partake of alcoholic stimulants of any kind during the continuation of the war at least.

     2.   While the latest order is made to apply only to those who may be serving in the United States and its territories, it is evident that it is most desirable that it be extended to include all who are serving in the Navy, no matter whether they be within this jurisdiction or on foreign soil.

     3.   The Division Commander has noticed that the large majority of offenses which have come to his notice for trial by court martial have been directly attributable to rum.

     4.   In view of the above, the officers and men of this division are most earnestly requested and admonished to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquor in every form, and the Division Commander wishes to state that it would be most desirable, creditable, and highly appreciated, if, from this time on, everyone in this force would cut it out entirely, more particularly during the time of our service in the war zone.

/s/ Hugh Rodman.        

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 381. Addressed below close: “To: N.Y. TEX./WYO./FLA./ARK./File.” The battleships composing Division Nine.

Footnote 1: Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels was a proponent of temperance.

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