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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Commander Charles R. Train, United States Naval Attaché in Rome, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in Europe

Telegraphic Address

     “ALUSNA ROME”            American Embassy

I 389                    Rome, 19 August 1918.

From :    Naval Attache, Rome.

To   :    Vice Admiral W.S. Sims, U.S.N.

SUBJECT : Forwards translation of letter from Under Chief of Staff of Italian Navy.1

REFERENCE :    My telegram No. 2302

     I.        The following is a translation of a letter received from Rear Admiral Triangi, Under Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, which he wrote to me by direction of Vice Admiral Revel, Chief of Staff.3 The substance of this letter was telegraphed you this day.

     “By order of the Chief of Staff, I request you to communicate to Vice Admiral SIMS, that regarding the conclusions reached by the Commission held at Malta, etc. etc., The Italian Navy Department gives its full consent and acceptance to the provisions indicated below, for the Straits of Otranto, and except for certain changes in detail, is in complete accord with the conclusions reached by the Commission.4

     “(a) To complete the explosive net between Otranto and Fano; and since the efficacy of this net reaches only to 60 meters below the surface, to supplement it by

     “(I) A Mine barrage from the surface to 85 meters depth where the depth permits the use of these mines.

     “(2) In places where the depths do not permit the employment of the mines, to lay a second explosive net under the existing one to a depth of at least 85 meters, or better 100.

     “(b) To lay a large mine barrage from 3 to 85 meters below the surface, from a point about five miles from Cape Cavallo (Brindisi), to the center of Sasseno Island.

     “I   On this line the depth permit everywhere of the employment of mines at present in use by the U.S. Navy (not exceeding 430 fathoms), and measures have already been taken to verify the accuracy of these depths.

         The Italian Navy trusts that the American Navy will accord the powerful means at its disposal for the defensive system above mentioned, which will surely prove of the greatest help in the defense of all of the Mediterranean against the action of the enemy submarines, and for such defense up to the present, it offers sincere thanks to the Allied Navies.

          “Kindly acknowledge receipt of the present communication”.

(signed) TRIANGI”

     /s/ C. Train.

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

Footnote 1: VAdm. Arturo Triangi de Maderno, Under Chief of Italian Naval Staff.

Footnote 2: The cable referred to has not been found.

Footnote 3: VAdm. Paolo Thaon di Revel, Italian Navy, Chief of Naval Staff.