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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral Sir Montague E. Browning, Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies to First Sea Lord Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe

TELEGRAM.     No. 4              

From V.A. N. America & W.Indies.           Date  5.6.17.

          Halifax

To   Admiralty.                            rcd. 9.51 pm.

 

Cypher T.

     4. Personal for First Sea Lord. C-in-C. United States Atlantic Fleet1 acquaints me in private letter2 that Battle Fleet is now ordered to train large numbers of new entries but that he has insisted that the Battleships especially those of Dreadnought type must have their fighting personnel kept completely efficient and ready for a call at any moment in case combined action with our Fleet becomes necessary.

     I think it advisable I should visit him in the CHESAPEAKE3 in the near future. Will you consider whether I could show or give him Grand Fleet Battle Orders and explain them as necessary.4 I think it would be very much appreciated if I did so especially if I can be authorised to say it was by your direction and at suggestion of C-in-C Grand Fleet.

     I understand CALGARIAN leaves Liverpool about 11th June and could bring orders if you approve proposal.    1557

Source Note: CyC, UK-keNA, Adm. 137/656. At the end of the document is a columnar list indicating to whom copies of the telegram were sent: “1 S.L.”

Footnote 1: Adm. Henry T. Mayo.

Footnote 2: This letter has not been located.

Footnote 3: Montague means the Chesapeake Bay, where Mayo’s flagship, Pennsylvania was stationed.

Footnote 4: For the specifics of the Grand Fleet Battle Orders see, John R. Jellicoe, The Grand Fleet 1914-1916: Its Creation, Development and Work (New York: George H. Doran, 1919).

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