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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

TROOP TRANSPORT   SPECIAL LETTERS

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED   March <16, 1918.> [07517?]  TOH

Origin Opnav Washington                    Serial No. 3939

C-1  17 Mar

24-ADR

VERY SECRET

     Simsadus.

3939. Your 5158.1 GREAT NORTHERN Troop Ship routed on Rhumb Line to Ushant.2 Group 22 also routed in this manner “In future all Troop Transports bound for France will be routed on Rhumb Line from Standard Meridian to Belle Isle.3 “Acknowledge” by repeating last sentence. 15016, 3939

Benson,

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. There is a note below the signature: “(Pencil notation)/Cable to Wilson.”

Footnote 2: A former passenger liner now in military service, Great Northern left Hoboken, NJ, with 1,500 troops on 7 March 1918. DANFS. In navigation, rhumb line is a path with constant bearing as measured relative to magnetic north. Ushant is an island off Brittany; it marks the north-westernmost point of France.

Footnote 3: Belle Île is an island off Brittany, France, near Quiberon.

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