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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Chronological Copy.

Cablegram Received  10329  EWC1

Origin Opnav Washington ( Benson)                 Ser. No. 2541

B-1 29-1-18    <January 28, 1918.>

27 ADR

Simsadus.

2541.     Bureau is providing boats as follows2 For Air Station England, Ireland, France, including those already shipped six 110-foot submarine chasers, two sea sleds,3 twentyone 50-foot motor sailing launches, thirty-three smaller motor sailing launches forty-eight motor-deries 42 35-feet motor boats forty-one DINGHIES. Detailed list proposed assignment following by mail. Bureau expects you will distribute boats as desired. Boats can be shipped as fast as vessels can carry them. 17328.

Benson

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

Footnote 1: “EWC,” are the initials of the transcriptionist.

Footnote 2: For Sims’ request for boats, see: Sims to Josephus Daniels, 14 January 1918.

Footnote 3: The Hickman Sea Sled was an inverted vee planing hull. It is the forerunner to the modern high-speed catamaran or tunnel hull. It was “faster, carried more load and was more seaworthy than any contemporary small planning craft.” RINA.org, Accessed on 17 January 1918, http://www.rina.org.uk/c2/uploads/w%20a%20hickman%20_%20final.pdf.