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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 Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels

SENT:     July 3, 1917. TO:  Secretary of the Navy.

THROUGH:  Admiralty.

     Number seventythree.    Your number forty four.1    If enemy submarine pressure anticipated in July August and September is to be thwarted the necessity for additional craft immediately is imperative (stop) The additional craft are needed not only for actual offensive duty but to insure safety of troop and other convoys. Cannot all destroyers Atlantic Coast be sent and all revenue cutters (stop) Are there no armed tugs available (stop) Even the small number of Fleet tugs would help (stop) I fully realize the pressure on Department to allocate forces to France, Mediterranean and other localities but am particularly anxious that such effort as we can exert should have maximum effect in meeting the general Allied situation (stop) The ocean approach routes to Channel and Irish Sea are critical areas and with DIXIE at Berehaven and MELLVILLE at Queenstown and our personnel in that locality thoroughly familiar with situation methods of operation and administration and all using same codes and methods of communication it will be conducive to maximum efficiency and effectiveness of new forces joining to concentrate them in same area keeping all U.S. forces together.2

SIMS.

Source Note: Cy, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/656. At the bottom of the document is a list of where copies are to be filed.

Footnote 1: See, Daniels to Sims, 2 July 1917, DNA, RG45, Entry 520. For an explanation of the force disposition, see: William V. Pratt to Sims, 2 July 1917.

Footnote 2: Daniels ordered that all destroyers sent to European waters were to remain there under Sims’ command. Daniels to Sims, 3 July 1917, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/656.

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