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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

 

Chronological Copy

Cablegram Sent      Dec. 22nd, 1917.  MJK1

To   Opnav Washington                   Serial No. 2349

Prep. by  A-1                COS2  D.R.

                                   18 R

2349. Strongly recommend installation of steam driven kit<e> balloon winches on next twelve destroyers to be commissioned.3 Ensign Catlin4 leaves for Washington to-day with drawings and full knowledge of their installation and operations 16422

Sims.    

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

Footnote 1: Presumably the initials of the encoder.

Footnote 2: Chief of Staff which was Capt. Nathan C. Twining.

Footnote 3: Winches were installed on six new destroyers but one historian has described them as “of inadequate design.” Rossano, Stalking the U-Boat: 268.

Footnote 5: Ens. George L. Catlin, U.S. Naval Reserve.