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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 2nd August 1917.

ORIGIN:   Admiral Benson                Ser. No. 69

Via:   Q 21.1                          Date No. 16001

Action referred to: JVB2

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Simsadus London:

69. With reference to your 157.3 The dates of sailing of the six coast guard vessels assigned to the patrol force in European waters cannot now be predicted. They will probably sail not later than the 15th or 20th August.4 Their characteristics are as follows: Radius 4000 miles, excellent sea boats, sustained sea speed twelve knots, armament four three inch guns. Their names are Algonquin, Tampa, Seneca, Manning, Ossipee, and Yamacraw. 16001.

          ADMIRAL BENSON.

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

Footnote 1: “Q21” was the signal code for the British Admiralty.

Footnote 2: “JVB” was Sims’ aide, Cmdr. John V. Babcock.

Footnote 3: In a cable of 29 July, Sims had “urgently” requested information concerning the availability of these Coast Guard forces for stationing at Gibraltar. Sims to Benson, 29 July 1917, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 4: The flotilla left for Europe on 20 August. Donald L. Canney, U.S. Coast Guard and Revenue Cutters, 1790-1935 (Annapolis, MD, Naval Institute Press, 1995), 66.

Footnote 5: For profiles of these vessels, see, ibid., 56, 66, 67, 68.