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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral Albert P. Niblack, Commander, Patrol Squadron Based on Gibraltar, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

February 22009 <10, 1918.> TOM

Senafloat, Gibraltar         Serial No.      419  Duplicate

C   S1      11 February

C-12        11 February

21 D                     VERY SECRET

Simsadus.

419.   (Duplicate)  Admiralty [on] Dec 2nd informed Admiral Grant3 15 American Yachts were allotted here . Only 5 here now.4 The long planned Genoa convoy effective Feb 10th based on allotment promises to be a failure. Mediterranean Sea escort must now practically be a danger zone escort. If no more Yachts are coming soon suggest release of ocean escort now running to England.5 11410.

Niblack      

10 PM.   

REVISED TRANSLATION

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The date was handwritten at the top of the page and is confirmed by the time stamp immediately before the signature. Document reference: “11-13-5”.

Footnote 1: Presumably, Chief of Staff, which for Sims’ staff was Capt. Nathan C. Twining.

Footnote 2: Presumably, the communications section of Sims’ staff.

Footnote 3: RAdm. Heathcoat S. Grant, British commander at Gibraltar.

Footnote 4: By war’s end the United States had only added four armed yachts to the force at Gibraltar for a total of nine. Office of Naval Intelligence, Information Concerning the U.S. Navy and Other Navies (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1919), 25.

Footnote 5: It appears that submarine chasers were sent to Gibraltar in lieu of armed yachts. Ibid.

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