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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED  <June 7, 1918.> 11208    EJW1

Origin    Opnav Washington              Ser.No. 6960

Ref’d to N-1   8 June

         O-1

         J-5   8 June

     29 ADR.

Simsadus.

6960. Sunk by bombs2 25th May American Schooner HAUPPAUGE Latitude 37° 46 Longitude 75° 05, June 4 Norwegian Steamer EIDSVOLD Latitude 37° 12 Longitude 55°; June 5 British Steamer HARPATHIAN Latitude 36° 16 Longitude 74° Norwegian Steamer VINLAND Latitude 36° Longitude 73° 58. On June 6 in Latitude 39° 40 Longitude 57° 25 USS ARETHUSA west bound made contract with enemy submarine. Kept submarine down by gun fire: This submarine could be very likely one reported in Latitude 41° 40 Longitude 31° 04 on May 27 as distance between 2 points could be covered at 5 knots in elapsed time. 13007. 6960.

/s/  Benson.       

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

Footnote 1: Initials of the transcriber.

Footnote 2: The ships referred to were sunk by the German submarine U-151, which successfully hunted vessels off the coast of the United States from 24 May to 28 June, 1918. Clark, U-Boats to American: 110-26.