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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

CABLE DISPATCH

SENT:  June 8th, 1917    TO:  Secretary of the Navy (Operation)

THROUGH:  State Dept.

Escort and convoy duty within danger zones is performed in accordance with experience and each case is dependent upon disposition of Allied forces at time and latest information concerning enemy activities (stop) generally speaking duty is carried out in relays ships escorting only in their assigned areas and passing on the convoy to ships of next area on route <of> the convoy (stop) As our destroyers generally operate furthest to westward we participate in majority of escort duty (stop) In view of above suggest that in future the number and nationality of ships to be detailed for escort duty be not specifically ordered by the Department but be determined here dependent upon the disposition of Allied Forces and circumstances at the time of arrival at appointed rendezvous (stop) such a course will not only facilitate convoy duty but also other military operations of submarine campaign.

SIMS.         

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