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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 Rear Admiral Herbert O. Dunn, Commander, Azores Detachment

TROOP TRANSPORT SPECIAL LETTERS

2 August <1918> EWG     

Senafloat, Punta del Gada                                   986                      

NCT.

           31 ARD

                   SECRET.

986. Use cipher Seroza. Navy Department proposes to place few destroyers under your command for purpose of providing escort for troop convoys from as far west as practicable until destroyers are relieved by destroyers from French Coast. Your destroyers are relieved by destroyers f then return Azores and be prepared to furnish escort for succeeding groups. Your destroyers should not in general join convoy much to westward of standard meridian, otherwise destroyers will not be available to meet the following convoy. Standardmeridian is meridian hopeful. I will furnish you time and Latitude where group will cross standard meridian, also senior ship. Message will be sent in following form QUOTE QQQ six transports speed 12 Latitude Undeserved twenty 0400 on 12 January USS CHARLESTON UNQUOTE. All time is Greenwich meridian time and civil dates only are used. Speed west of standard meridian may be somewhat less. After passing standard meridian convoy will cross meridian Earnest 4°30' farther north than Latitude in which standard meridian was crossed. No other crossing except that of standard meridian will be reported to you. Destroyers should arrange to make contact with groups during daylight only. Radio should not be used if possible to avoid it. Plan will be put into operation as soon as destroyers are available. Every precaution must be taken to keep all information regarding troops secret. Acknowledge and cable paraphrase of proposed plan of routing and escorting.1 986 16202

Sims.                  

Source Note: Cy, DNA RG 45, Entry 517B. Identifier at top of page in columnar fashion: “J/1/3/4.” Note at top of page “6 copies.”

Footnote 1: The war ended before this plan was put into operation.

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