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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 Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

Subject Copy.                          File No. <4-3-95>

          Cablegram Sent June 17, 1918.      TOH

To Opnav, Washington.                       Serial No. 9742

Prep. by A-1        SX   D.R.

                             29 ADR

 CONFIDENTIAL 

9742. Following from Dunn1 QUOTE Portuguese Government desires establish aeronautical station at Horta, Fayal, and requests our Government sell them machines, equipment and supplies for maintenance. Station at Horta, Fayal would cooperate with our station at Ponta del Gada. I approve plan under following conditions: First that eight modern flying boats be supplied, four for us and four for Portugal, these machines to have radio and bomb dropping devices and large radius. Second, payment for machines and material to be arranged between the two Governments. It is useless to send any more machines here unless of modern type noted above. Request information Department’s action this matte as soon as practicable and if approved how long before machines could be shipped. UNQUOTE Recommend approval and that machines requested by HS-1 seaplanes until production of H-16 permits replacing HS-1s. Consider that deversion of four seaplanes to the Portuguese justified by good-will which such reinforcements to their forces will undoubtedly create. <22517.>

9742

Sims          

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

Footnote 1: RAdm. Herbert O. Dunn, Commander, Azores Detachment.

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