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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

 

Chronological Copy.                          File No.

                  Cablegram Sent June 26, 1918.         JFG

To OPNAV WASHINGTON                          Serial No. 204

Prep. by C-1                  NCT D.R.

                                        31 ARD

SECRET

204 Urgent. British steamer KHIVA westbound reports being chased by submarine 2208 G.M.T. [i.e., Greenwich Mean Time] on 25 June Latitude 40º57’ N. Longitude 61º01’ W.

          USS COLUMBIA ocean escort for HN 73 reports that USS DOCHRA and British steamer GLENLEE were gunned at 1900 G.M.T. on 25 June by submarine in Latitude 40º25’ N. Longitude 47º29’ W. These vessels were about 40 miles astern of convoy at time.

          If report of KHIVA is of enemy submarine it would indicate that another cruiser submarine is at sea.1 A second cruiser submarine has been due to come out for several weeks but thus far no information has been obtained. Were any U.S. submarines in vicinity of KHIVA at time reported. 204 <15026>

SIMS     

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Sims reported later in the day that he still had “no reliable information” on Khiva’s supposed sighting. Sims to Opnav, 26 June 1918, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: The U-156 departed from Kiel on 15 June and sank a British steamer on 26 June. It is likely this was the submarine reported in this cable. See, Clark, When the U-Boats came to America: 156-157.

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