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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

 

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED August 17th 1917

Origin        Admiral Benson                                          Serial No. Opnav 186

Via                N C B D                                                       Date       19017  

Copies to Chief of Staff, Babcock; Tobey1              File No.          

Action Referred to

Action taken

Date

Init.

Ref. No.

Long2

See cable

Tobey

of July 20

8/19

WSB

313

To Dept

 

 

From Admiral Benson.

To Admiral Sims.

Opnav 186. 16415 Referring your two hundred eight stop.3 It is not the policy of Department to commit itself to establishment of shore base for other than aviation purposes for any greater extent than absolutely minimum military need of situation demands stop. It is intention of Department in near future supplying two mother ships similar to destroyer tenders for use of the small craft operating on French coast stop. It is also intention supplying one other ship for our craft base on Gibraltar stop. In making any arrangements for shore establishment at Pauillac you should be guided by above consideration 19017

Admiral Benson         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Cmdr. John V. Babcock and Paymaster Eugene C. Tobey, both members of Sims’ staff in London.

Footnote 2: Cmdr. Byron A. Long, was in charge of the Convoys Section of Sims' staff, responsible for arranging and coordinating convoys.

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