Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Nathan C. Twining, Chief of Staff to Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Secretary of the British Admiralty Sir W. Graham Greene

U.S. NAVAL FORCES OPERATING IN EUROPEAN WATERS

U.S.S. MELVILLE, FLAGSHIP

TELEPHONE, VICTORIA 9110      30, GROSVENOR GARDENS,

CABLE ADDRESS, “SIMSADUS”          LONDON, S.W. 1.

REFERENCE No. 01.<5189>            December 27, 1917.

From:     Commander, U.S.Naval Forces Operating in European Waters.1

To:       Secretary of the Admiralty.

Subject:  Destroyer protection for U.S. Mine Planters.

Reference: (a) Cablegram of December 24 from Chief of Naval Staff, Admiralty, to Chief of Naval Operations.2

     I am directed by the Navy Department to forward the following reply in response to the inquiry contained in reference (a):-

     “Please inform Admiralty that since all our destroyers as fast as it is practicable to send them are dispatched abroad and attached to your force. If it becomes necessary to protect United States mine planters with destroyers while they are laying mines in North Sea beyond the degree of protection the Admiralty can itself furnish them it will be necessary to use part of your force for this purpose as may be necessary”.

          This matter will be taken up when the necessity for destroyer protection arises.

NC Twining    

Captain, U.S.Navy. 

Chief of Staff.    

Signed for Vice-Admiral Sims

in his absence