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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.                             File No.

CABLEGRAM SENT 25 February 1918.

To Opnav Washington                        Ser.No. 4356.

Prep. by M4             NCT1 D.R.

          27 ADR

VERY SECRET

4356.     British desire to lay mine field their mines from Mull of Cantyre to FairHead to more effectively close north channel to submarines. Having already commenced laying mines their areas northern barrage they find greatest difficulty in sparing necessary mine layers for north channel mine field at this time. Admiralty enquires whether practicable to expedite sailing of one U. S. mine layer to permit it to come soon to take British mines from the Clyde and assist temporarily in laying this mind [i.e., mine] field in north channel.2 <20124>

Sims.        

Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Capt. Nathan C. Twining, Chief of Staff for Admiral Sims.

Footnote 2: On the same day, Opnav replied that only one minelayer, the U.S.S. Baltimore, which could carry one hundred and seventy mines, was available. This vessel had been conducting tests, “notably [on] the means of assembling the antenna floats with the mine and their release gear.” As a result of this request, however, it left U. S. waters in March to assist the British. Northern Barrage, 49.

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