Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo, Commander, Atlantic Fleet

(COPY)

April 14, 1917.

From: The Secretary of the Navy.

To: Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

     Copies to Commanders-in-Chief,

                         Pacific Fleet,1

                         Asiatic Fleet,2

SUBJECT: Organization of Fleet after Mobilization.

Reference: (a) Your 1445, 9 April 1917.3

          1. The “Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet” shall continue to be the title of the officer commanding the U. S. Fleet in the Atlantic.

          2. The forces and units of the forces enumerated in paragraph 2(a) of reference (a), are under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet when they are operating in the Atlantic, but not at other times, unless specially so ordered.

          3. The forces enumerated under paragraph 2,(b) of reference (a), are not under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, except as provided for in the Naval Regulations.

          4. The Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific and Asiatic Stations will continue to exercise command in their respective areas over vessels of the Fleet within these areas until otherwise ordered.

          5. Command of the Atlantic Coast Division will be decided upon at a later date. At present this division is not available for any service.

          6. The Mexican Patrol is under the direction of the Navy Department, but assigned to assist and cooperate with Fourth Patrol Squadron in patrol work.

          5. The Fleet operating in the Atlantic shall be named the U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

/s/ Josephus Daniels.