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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

Chronological Copy.                     File No. <31/2/1>

Cablegram Received  05325     May <25,1918>  EWC

Origin    Washington (Bunav)          Ser. No. 6498.

S-1 26 May

Clear.

6498.     To fill the office<r> complement of destroyers now building Bureau requests officers be ordered home as follows: June 10th 3 torpedo officers, June 15th 14 Commanding officers, July 1 six engineer officers and five executive officers, July 10th 8 torpedo officers, July 15th 10 Commanding Officers, August 1 17 Executive Officers and 17 Engineer Officers, August 10th 19 Torpedo officers, August 15th 17 Commanding Officers, September 1 19 Executive officers and 19 Engineer Officers, September 10th 19 Torpedo Officers, Sept. 15th 19 Commanding Officers, October 1st 19 Executive Officers and 19 Engineer Officers, October 15th 19 Commanding Officers. Torpedo Officers may be either regular officers or reserve officers graduates of the Torpedo Class of ex-gunners with torpedo experience. Please advise Bureau upon sailing each contingent and duty for which each is designated. All officers to be ordered home to await orders reporting arrival home to Bureau by despatch. Inform Bureau number of officers your require from United States and approximate date you will need them. Fleet up officers to the fullest extent. In flotilla using temporary officers and warrant officers and use 135 Regular Ensigns from Academy. Complements of destroyers will be 3 Regular and 3 temporary officers Reserves or warrants for larger destroyers and two regulars and 4 temporary officers or Reserves or Warrants for smaller destroyers below 700 tons. Bureau will continue training engineer officers but hereafter will send officers so trained to European Waters for assignment in Flotillas. Latest information from all sources gives conservative estimate of 92 new destroyers to be officered and Commissioned this calendar year. 13325 6498.

Benson.       

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.