Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

RECEIVED June 17, 1917.   

TO: Vice Admiral Sims.       

Number 20.

     The Convoys are arranged in groups.

     Three groups sailed June 15 from New York.

Group one will arrive 6 a.m. June 23 at first rendezvous Lat. 48-55, long. 24-20.1

Group two will arrive 4 p.m. June 23 at first rendezvous Lat. 48-10 long. 26-00.

Group three will arrive 6 a.m. June 25 at first rendezvous Lat. 46-45 long. 23-55.

     The French Admiralty will designate second rendezvous and forward same to escorts via U.S. destroyers sent by you to first rendezvous.

     Group escort flagships –

          Group one    U.S.S. Seattle.

          Group two    U.S.S. Birmingham.

          Group three  U.S.S. Charleston.

     The sailing data for group four will be communicated later.

     This information must be sent most confidentially and immediately to Naval Attache, Paris.2

     Acknowledge receipt of this message for Vice Admiral Sims. Period. 12016.

DANIELS.

                    Secretary Navy.

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

Footnote 1: That is, latitude 48° 55', longitude 24° 20'.

Footnote 2: Cmdr. William R. Sayles, Jr.

Related Content