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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

DISPATCH TO BE SENT.

Date August 5, 1918.

To Opnav.

Prepared by CS Approved  Code <46 ARD> No <SB 24>

     Simben 24.     Referring to proposal base three battleships at Berehaven. Suggest Department consider advisability substitute an oil burner for U. S. S. UTAH.1 The additional demand for oil would not in my opinion be as objectionable as the necessity that would exist for keeping a collier constantly at Berehaven if one of the battleships is a coal burner. Since it might at some time be vitally necessary that these ships enter port to refuel and depart again as soon as possible the advantage of having them all oil burners is obvious.   <18305.>

SIMS.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Handwritten note: “Response to in Opnav 9577 – disappeared.”

Footnote 1: Utah did go to Berehaven as the division’s flagship, but the other two ships on the station, Nevada and Oklahoma, were both oil-burners.

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