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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

          SENT CABLEGRAM           August 28, 1917.

To   Opnav, Washington   Ser. No. 371   File No 11-4-13

From : Commander of Naval Forces in European Waters

To   : Chief of Naval Operations.

371. To economize shipping British have started to route troops from Australia via Panama Canal stop Definite programme not yet made but first convoy will be in Colon September 5 and expect one about every two weeks thereafter for the present stop Proposed sending these troopships to Halifax but it will greatly simplify matters if U.S. can furnish cruiser escorts from Colon direct to submarine zone for any part of this shipping if cruisers are available stop Convoy will take economical speed of cruisers. 18028

          Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Sims’ request for cruiser escorts direct from Colon, Panama Canal Zone, was accepted and regular convoys of Australian troopships began in early September. In the event that a cruiser escort from Colon was not available, the troopships proceeded to Hampton Roads to join one of the regularly scheduled convoys departing from there. Sims, Victory at Sea, 131-139.

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