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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, second cable of the day

Action Copy.                            File No.

Cablegram Received July <27, 1918,> 12028

Origin    Opnav Washington              Serial No. 7

Ref’d. to

Date

ACTION, NOTES and INITIALS.

CS1

July 28.

<NCT>

 

     46 ADR.

Simsadus.

Number 7. Department feels very apprehensive of at least one enemy battle cruiser getting out as a forlorn hope and attacking US Naval Vessel convoys. It is proposed to send three oil burning dreadnaughts to Behaven [i.e. Berehaven] or Queenstown to be in position to protect convoys, depending upon British to give us information immediately of the exit of cruisers from German waters. Comment and recommendations requested as to the better of the two places to send them and have adequate protection against submarines. What did you think of our Mine Force extension [i.e. extending] at once, at least one line of mines all the way across to Norway.2

               24027 number 7.

Benson.                 

12:04 Pm.          

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

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

Footnote 2: For Sim’s response, see: Sims to William S. Benson, 28 July 1918. The Navy Department responded by sending Battleship Division 6 to Berehaven. Jones, “U.S. Battleship Operations:” 191.

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