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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:- June 11th.1917.  To:Secretary of the Navy (Operations).

Through:  Admiralty.___

     Fourteen. Both KANAWHA and MAUMEE should discharge Queenstown1 and in future should sail in company if possible in line abreast distance one mile (stop) Commercial tank ships should join British oil convoy sailing from Hampton Roads about weekly.2

SIMS.    

Source Note: Cy, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/656. Below the signature is written: “A. C. U. S. concurs, Sims." At the bottom left-hand corner in column fashion is a list of the files in which copies of this cable should be saved.

Footnote 1: That is, Sims wants the oilers KANAWHA, the Navy’s first purpose-built oiler, and MAUMEE to discharge their load of fuel at Queenstown, Ireland, the base of the United States destroyer divisions serving in European waters.

Footnote 2: For more on America’s plans to supply the British with fuel oil and gasoline, see: Daniels to Sims, 10 June 1917.

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