Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

TROOP TRANSPORT  SPECIAL LETTERS

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED  March <1, 1918.> 09302.  ROC

Opnav,Washington                               Serial No. 3409

     O-1    2 March1

25 ADR2

VERY SECRET

Simsadus:

3409. Your 4500.3 To prevent misunderstanding following is interpretation of Department, each troop transport except U. S. S. LEVIATHAN and such others as Department may designate will as soon as loaded be included in the next convoy group schedule to sail. All groups will consequently make approximately the same speed until met by European escort[.] after meeting escort the original group will be split into two groups where necessary to utilize the speed and meet the destination of the individual transport. Is this understanding correct?4 15001.

Benson.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The date, which is handwritten, corresponds to the time stamp immediately preceding the signature. Document identifier in columnar fashion in top right-hand corner: “C/J/1/3.”

Footnote 1: This notation means that this cable was referred to the Operations Section of Sims’ staff on 2 March 1918.

Footnote 2: This refers to the code used to transmit this cable.

Footnote 4: Sims’ reply has not been found.

Related Content