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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 111

Via: Q-211                                Date No. 13066

Copies to Lt. Commander Babcock2         File No.

Action referred to:

Commander Long3

Vice Admiral Sims, London

     Opnav one hundred and eleven. In reply to your one hundred and ninety-five.4 The matter has been taken up with the army authorities between England; they have been requested to insist of owners that American liners carrying over one hundred troops be required to join the liner convoys out of Halifax.

13008.

ADMIRAL BENSON.         

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

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 this cable, dated 4 August 1917, Sims pointed out that two American lines carrying troops were attacked by submarines on their last trip across the Atlantic, and further commenting that the British required all of their liners carrying over 100 troops to “cross in convoy.” Sims to Josephus Daniels, 4 August 1917, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

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