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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

 

COPY

Cablegram Sent.    August 29, 1917

To   Opnav Washington   Ser.No. 397

Via NCBD 13   Prep by M.G. Apvd by Chief f S1

Sent 30 aug 1010 AM  Initials L.Mc.B.2

Copies to     C of S    J.V.B. and E.C.T.3

From: Commander Naval Forces European Waters

To:  Operations, Navy Department Washington

397. EIGHTQUACK UNITMIKE. Following received from Jackson, Paris,4 Quote. Secretary Navy Washington5 referring to Operations 1976 French Government agrees to supply for armaments of two dirigible stations five dirigibles of six thousand to seven thousand cubic metres commencing delivery January 1918. Also spare parts and Hydrogen producing plant. French Navy will forward immediately combined and detailed plans of station in operation with explanation. Our Navy Department to supply personnel, building material, equipment and erecting force. French Government will supply all seaplanes for five new stations in following order:- One Novermber, [i.e., November] One Jany, one February, One March, one April. Desirable that all equipment except for first stations in November be sent from United States including barracks, shops, tools, slips, cranes, electrical equipment, & land and water transportation. Can this be done. Unquote 01030

Sims

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Capt. Nathan C. Twining was Sims’ chief of staff.

Footnote 2: The identity of the person with these initials is uncertain. No one with the initials L.Mc.L. served on Sims’ staff. It is possible that this is a typing error, and refers to Naval Constructor Lewis B. McBride, Assistant to the United States Naval Attaché at London.

Footnote 3: Twining, Cmdr. John V. Babcock, and Paymaster Eugene C. Tobey were all members of Sims’ staff.

Footnote 4: Capt. Richard H. Jackson, United States Naval Representative to the Ministry of Marine.

Footnote 5: Josephus Daniels.

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