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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to Vice Admiral Henry T. Mayo, Commander, Atlantic Fleet

FLEET FLAGSHIP1

TRANSLATION OF CODE DESPATCH <June 2

1918>              

Prefix

Origin

No.    Operator

Check     Filing Date

 

Radio

_Navy_

 RUSH

 

   OPNAV

Sndg

Base

        

       Sent 2 6 18

             

VIA   L.W.BASE TWO.

Sent.   C in C.

     <Rush.> Evidence unmistakable that German submarines are operating on coast period.2 Unless properly escorted allow no vessels to go out. CINC COMNAVDIS ONE COMNAVDIS TWO COMNAVDIS THREE COMNAVDIS FOUR COMNAVDIS FIVE.3 08003.

<Opnav>       

9:50 A.M.

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

Footnote 1: U.S.S. Pennsylvania.

Footnote 2: It was one submarine, U-151. See: Edward S. Kellogg to Charles S. Joyce, 19 May 1918.

Footnote 3: This string of acronyms means this message was intended for “CINC” [Mayo] and the commanders of Naval Districts One through Five. In order they are: RAdm. Spencer D. Wood (Boston); Commo. James P. Parker (Narragansett Bay); RAdm. Nathaniel R. Usher (New York); Capt. George F. Cooper (Philadelphia); RAdm. Augustus F. Fechteler (Norfolk). For more on preparations being made in American ports for the U-boat, see: William L. Grant to British Admiralty, 2 June 1918.