Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 8/17/1918

Documentary Histories

WWI

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

DISPATCH SENT. 16-15-26

Date 17 August 1918.

To Opnav. Washington.

Prepared by N-5 Approved N.C.T.1 Code 46 ARD No. 3112

HIGHLY SECRET.

3112. We have reason to believe that U-1572 has laid mines or intends to lay them neighborhood of Azores. Recommend that two mine sweepers be sent to Azores as soon as practicable. 3112. 190217.

SIMS.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Document identifier: “J/K/1/3/4” appears to the right of the date.

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

Footnote 2: On 15 August 1918, U-157 stopped and scuttled the Russian sailing vessel Kalps off Lisbon, Portugal. On 27 August 1918, U-157 stopped and scuttled the Portuguese sailing vessel Gloria 30 miles west off Porto Santo, Madeira Islands; https://www.uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/7504.html, accessed 9 August 2018.

Naval History and Heritage Command