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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 Bureau of Navigation

                        File No. 31-7-2B

CABLEGRAM SENT August 6, 1918. AHI

To Opnav Washington (Bunav)                    Serial No. 2460

  Prep by S-1                   NCT D.R.

         Clear

2460 Your 9452.1 Willsend 10 nucleus crews for Eagle Class2 as directed and with usual orders for two weeks leave. Furnishing 14 nucleus crews for destroyers per month is maximum I am able to do at present time and every call for nucleus crews for Eagle Class will curtail sending of nucleus crews for destroyers. All instructions had been given and plans laid for furnishing 83 nucleus crews for destroyers in accordance Bunav previous instructions. Changing this schedule will call for complete reorganization of present demands on destroyers. For example it takes just as many Machinists Mates, Ships Cooks, Electricians, and men in other special ratings for 10 nucleus crews for Eagles as it does for 10 nucleus crews for destroyers. Every call for a nucleus crew for an Eagle boat will probably mean supplying one less nucleus crew for destroyers. Bureau can therefore now count on receiving only 73 nucleus crews for destroyers instead of the 83 originally requested. Will make every effort to improve this schedule but believe destroyers are now furnishing their utmost. Request Bureau take this into consideration in ordering nucleus crews and further that if any more changes in schedule are contemplated I be informed earli[e]st possible moment.  2460

SIMS.    

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Document identifier in top right-hand corner in columnar fashion: “1/3/C/J.”

Footnote 1: This cable has not been found.

Footnote 2: Eagle boats were patrol boats made of steel. Although smaller than destroyers, they were larger and had a greater operational capability than the 110-foot wooden submarine chasers. The complement of an Eagle boat was five officers and fifty-six men. Frank A. Cianflone, “The Eagle Boats of World War I,” United States Naval Insitute Proceedings, vol. 99 (June, 1973), 76-8.

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