Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol, Commander, Submarine Chaser Detachment, Plymouth

September 19th.1918.

My dear Bristol,

          Your letter of September 15th .1 just received. I am surprised that you say you do not know what duty you are to be ordered to. Sexton2 tells me that when he was at Bantry Bay he told all you people what your orders were. I also understood that information had been sent as soon as we received it. However, it will be sent today.

          Upon the reporting of your relief you will be ordered to take charge of our submarine chaser base at Plymouth. Long3 will be liaison officer with the Supreme War Council at Versailles. Philip Andrews will take charge of the seventy or eighty vessels we are taking over from the Army. They are engaged in carrying coal and various other supplies to France. We have to man these with Navy crews and run them. While we have no official information to that effect, we understand that Wilson4 is to appointed Vice Admiral in the Fleet at home. We do not know who is to take his place.5

          Of course you and Long will report here on your way to your stations. Cotton6 is now holding down the job at Plymouth and doing very good work in developing tactics of the submarine chasers. There are thirtysix of these boats there, and thirtysix coming from the other side, but we do not know just when. The Plymouth base will also be used as a store base.

Very sincerely yours,