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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

          June <2, 1918.> 21502 RES SMF          

OPNAV Washington.                           6778

      O-1   3 June

          31 ADR          CONFIDENTIAL

Simsadus.

<6>778. USS BLACK HAWK, USS SARANAC will be ready to sail about June 8th and USS AROOSTOOK, USS SHAWMUT about June 15th?1 Department proposes sending these vessels in fast convoy from New York unless otherwise desired by you. If you desire them to sail alone, please furnish routing instructions.2 09002 6778.

Benson.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The date, which is handwritten, is confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the text.

Footnote 1: These were merchant ships and passenger liners converted into mine layers intended to work on laying the North Sea mine barrage.

Footnote 2: The reply from Sims’ staff has not been found, however, according to a history of the barrage, these ships sailed “in company,” i.e., not part of a convoy, from the United States on 16 June, arriving at their bases in Scotland on 29 June. Northern Barrage: 84.