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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

                        Cablegram Sent         August 27 [1917]

To Opnav,Washingon                        Serial No. 357

Via  NCBD 18               Prep. by ECT1   Appvd. By J.V.B.2

Sent <27 Aug 1917>      Initals <E M. C.>3    File No. <55-3-1>  

Copies to: C. of S.4 J.V.B., E.C.T.

From Admiral Sims.

To Opnav Washington.

Number 357 Eightquack Unitmike.5 St. Louis heavily escorted arrived Liverpool this morning. Commander-in-Chief6 met by representatives Foreign Office, Admiralty and Embassy stop.7 Special train provided by British Government which will be met arrival London by Jellicoe, Page and others stop.8 Admiral Mayo and staff will be guests of nation which is providing accommodations, motor cars, etc. 12227

Sims.    

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. There is a notation in the upper leaf-hand corner: “Action Copy."

Footnote 1: Paymaster Eugene C. Tobey, a member of Sims’ staff.

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

Footnote 3: This person has not been further identified.

Footnote 4:  Sims' Chief of Staff, Capt. Nathan C. Twining.

Footnote 5: Presumably part of the code used when the message was transmitted.

Footnote 6: Adm. Henry T. Mayo, Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet was in Europe for a Naval Conference with Britain, France and Italy. See: Sims to Anne Hitchcock Sims, 24 August 1917.

Footnote 7: For more on Mayo’s arrival and the welcoming party, see: Sims to Anne Hitchcock Sims, 26 August 1917.

Footnote 8: First Sea Lord Adm. Sir John R. Jellicoe, and United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Walter Hines Page.