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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 the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

Subject Copy.                                File No.

Cablegram Sent August 21, 1918. SFM

To Opnav, Washington.                   Serial No. 3280

Prep. by O-1                  SX D.R.

                                        48 ADR

SECRET

3280. Your 54.1 Escort for HB 72 consisted of 3 American yachts, one American destroyer and 4 French gun boats. Escort was operating under orders of French and had instructions to join convoy in Longitude 16ºW. but missed contact and did not join. U.S.S. SMITH sent from Brest to reinforce escort joined in Longitude 11º21’ W. Escort for HB 8 consisted of 2 American yachts, 2 American destroyers and 4 French vessels, joined in Longitude 11º32’ W. U.S.S. NOMA sailed from Brest to reinforce escort, joined in Longitude 14ºW. Third American destroyer was diverted to assist MONTANAN.3

          Owing to slow speed of these convoys and lack of other escorting ships, it is planned to meet all of these convoys with major portion of escort at daylight in about 11º30’ W. As convoys arrive every 8 days this will give escort about 5 days at sea and 3 days in port. If present concentration in Bay of Biscay continues additional escorts will join farther west. 072221, 3280.

SIMS.         

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

Footnote 1: This document has not been found.

Footnote 2: HB refers to homeward-bound convoys from the Bay of Biscay.

Footnote 3: SMITH was a destroyer, NOMA was a converted yacht, and Montanan was a cargo ship.

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