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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

[23 July 1917]

Vice-Admiral Sims, London.

     Opnav twenty-six We have received your one hundred and nineteen. The Department is disposed to accept the offer on the part of the Admiralty to supply coal at French bases to the United States patrol force. We would, however, request confirmation of your message. The prices quoted were translated to read “fifty-five shillings per ton”. In view of the terms on which the United States supplies coal to the Allied Forces, as set forth in the Department’s cable of June first to the Naval Attache in London. fifty-five shillings/per ton is regarded as exorbitant. 16023.

Admiral Benson

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

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