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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

COPY CABLEGRAM RECEIVED       April <24, 1918.> 16124  LEH         

Origin         Opnav Washington             Serial No. 5264.

O-1       24 April

VERY SECRET.

40 ADR

SIMSADUS

5264. Due to urgent necessity to carry over more troops British are asking to send troops over in vessels making onl-y speed 11-1/2 knots.1 If this is done could escort be provided. What change in present system would have to be made to meet the situation? Any suggestions and recommendations you can make <r>equested at earliest possible moment.2 08024.  5264.

Benson.       

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Below the close is a note: “COPY.” Document identifiers at top right hand corner: “11-4-19” and along right margin: “1/3/4/J.” The date is handwritten but is confirmed by the date/time stamp at the end of the text.

Footnote 1: For more on this request and Sims’ views on it, see: Sims to John J. Pershing, 13 April 1918.

Footnote 2: For Sims' reply, see: Sims to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 26 April 1918. On 12 April the British Admiralty sent an order to its representative in Ottawa, that “All ships capable of maintaining in convoy a speed of 12½ knots in ordinary weather” be diverted to New York. UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/1436.

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