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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 the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

 

IL-9832

          20 June 1918.

From:  Sims.

To  :  OPNAV.

     <9832> British Admiralty show decided interest in torpedo carrying seaplanes. Of these the special Sopwith two seater 200 H.P. torpedo carrying plane has a speed of 120 knots per hour. Altitude with torpedo 10,000 feet, without torpedo carrying full load of gasoline 25,000 feet. Blackburn type seaplane very similar to Sopwith with 350 H.P. engine. Understand British have plan to operate 150 of these planes from special seaplane vessels of the FURIOUS class.1 Will forward further details as they become available. 02420

SIMS

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

Footnote 1: Furious class seaplanes are a reference to seaplanes that could be launched from the battlecruiser, turned carrier, H.M.S. Furious. This included the Beardmore W.B.III biplane scout fighter with folding wings and the Short Admiralty Type 184 floatplane with torpedo bombing configuration. Layman, Naval Aviation: 114-191.

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