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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 Rear Admiral Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Patrol Squadrons Operating in European Waters, and Captain Joel R. Poinsett Pringle, Chief of Staff, Destroyer Flotillas

 

March 8, 1918.    

From:     Force Commander,

To:       The Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in France.

          The Chief of Staff, U.S. Destroyer Flotillas.

Subject:    Repair of United States Naval Vessels; Navy                           Department Policy.

     1.  A memorandum, from the Chief of Naval Operations, to the Bureau, dated January 31, 1918,1 and relating to ship repairs, is summarized in part below for your information as to the Department’s policy. In addition to the following, the Department has also under consideration the establishment of several small general repair ships ashore.

     2.  The Department states that owing to shortage of tonnage it will be impossible to increase the number of parent ships for small craft in European Waters. It is proposed, therefore, to increase the repair forces of available parent ships, in order that their facilities may be operated continuously for 24 hours a day[.] To permit of t his, it is proposed to house the reapir [i.e., repair] forces in hulks or barracks.

     3.  The Department estimates that to increase the repair force of the MELVILLE and DIXIE the following will be the maximum requirements:

Machinist’s Mates . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Blacksmiths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Boilermakers . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15

Moulders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Coppersmiths . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

Shipfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Electricians . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20

Sailmaker’s Mates . . . . . . . . . . .  5

Carpenter’s Mates . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Halpers (Seamen or Firemen) . . . . . . 50

TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  250

Repair forces of the PROMETHEUS, PANTHER and BRIDGEPORT will require increases in proportion to these above mentioned.

     4.  The Department also states that the housing of men sashore [i.e., ashore] will probably require increased personnel for administrative purposes, such as yeomen, guards, storekeepers, and upkeep gang, and may possibly involve additional equipment for berthing facilities machine tools, etc. Additional water transportation will also be needed, and preparation should be made to increase the number of boats of sailing launch type or to purchase small craft which will answaer our purpose.

Wm. S. SIMS.      

Source Note: TLS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 678.

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