Naval History and Heritage Command

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

September 6, 1918.

Opnav.

     C-4

CONFIDENTIAL

<4311.> Your 9579.1 <2260.>2 It is requested that the forty-two sub-chasers necessary to make complete the original allotment of one hundred forty-four for distant service be dispatched as soon as possible to be followed by fifty more at as early a date as practicable. Of the fifty, thirty-six are much needed in Italian waters to increase the effectiveness of our work there and it is imperative that fourteen chasers or boats of similar capabilities be assigned to duty at our Air Stations. It is inadvisable to divert our chasers now here to air stations as they are doing important offensive work and should not be diverted from it. Chasers for air stations are essential for efficient operation of our aircraft which must have fast boats of this type to cooperate with them in their actions against enemy submarines and to come to their assistance in case of accidents at sea. If sufficient chasers are not now available in the United States, I urgently recommend the construction of a sufficient number to permit compliance with my request herein.

SIMS.