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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

 

Cablegram Received: 8th August 1917.

Origin  Admiral Benson                    Serial No. Opnav 112

Via: Q.211                                Date No. 15008

Copies to Lt. Commander Babcock2         File No.

Action referred to:

Commander Long3

Vice Admiral Sims, London.

     Opnav one hundred and twelve. In reply to your one hundred and ninety-six.4 Contents have been communicated to Army and Navy routing officers. Every effort will be made to put the bulk of supply ships sailing in convoy especially those for French ports into convoys routing from Hampton Roads. You will be informed of the numbers of such ships, ports of destination and dates of sailing.

15008

ADMIRAL BENSON.         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. In the upper left-hand corner is printed: “Follow-up Copy.”

Footnote 1: Footnote 1: This is the signal code for the the British Admiralty.

Footnote 2: Sims’ aide, Cmdr. John V. Babcock.

Footnote 3: Cmdr. Byron A. Long was the officer on Sims’ staff who, in conjuction with the British Admiralty, oversaw the routing of convoys; Morison, Admiral Sims, 368.

Footnote 4: In a cable dated 4 August, Sims asked that supply ships be attached only to convoys bound for the east coast of England and that they be assigned to convoys sailing from Hampton Roads, VA. Sims also asked that he be informed of the number of supply ships in the convoy, as well as their speed and destination. DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

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