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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 Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

Chronological Copy.                            File No. <40/2/6>

Cablegram Sent    12 Feb.  EWC

To     Opnav Washington (For Benson)           Serial No. 3902

Prep. by K-3                   SX  D.R.

23 D.              

3902. MANLEY class destroyers1 for winter duty in these waters will require an additional longitudinal, each side, extending from Frame twenty to Frame forty-two, midway between centerline and longitudinal swash bulkheads. Pounding in seas here is more severe than that experienced in crossing Atlantic, and stiffening recommended by MANLEY. Board is not sufficient.2 21412,

Sims.    

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

Footnote 1: U.S.S. MANLEY was the first commissioned of six Caldwell-class destroyers, the first flush-deckers. DANFS.

Footnote 2: No work was done on MANLEY before it was severely damaged in an accidental detonation of depth charges and resulting fire in March, 1918. Ibid.

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