Rear Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Destroyers Operating from British Bases, to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
CABLE DISPATCH
SENT: May 1st, 1917. TO: Secretary of the Navy
THROUGH: State Department
Admiralty making study of convoy system for shipping.1 Tentative plan proposes two general rendezvous American coast for assembly every four days all ships under fifteen knots (stop) Similar action Gibraltar and other trade rout<e>s (stop) Escort one war vessel against <raiders> (stop) Destroyers meet convoys at war zone (stop) Two escort ships resting each end about eight days (stop) Plan would require our furnishing some escort vessels and additional destroyers this side and would necessitate abandonment present patrol against raiders (stop) Not yet decided by Admiralty (stop) This advance information for Department’s consideration.2
SIMS.
NO OF COPIES 2 REFERENCE NO.
Source Note: C, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517. Portions in angle brackets were added by an editor in anticipation of publication of this document in the 1920’s.
Footnote 2: The U.S. Navy balked at participating in the British convoy experiment. See: Sims to Daniels, 1 May 1917; and William S. Benson to Gaunt, 4 May 1917.
