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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 the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

 

File No. <40/12/2>

Cablegram Sent May 28, 1918.        TOH1

To      Opnav, Washington.                   Serial No. 8591

Prep. by    CS                     NCT2     D.R.

                                        32 ADR

8591. Rear Admiral Dunn3 reports Submarines at Base Thirteen in such condition that successful operation against enemy vessels could not be carried out. Details of deficiencies of individual boats are contained in reports from Commanding Officers and Division Commander forwarded by Admiral Dunn’s endorsement 128, April 19.4

     In my opinion, these boats are in as good condition as when they left the United States, but on account of defects enumerated in above reports the efficiency of their operations is circumscribed and I believe it desirable that new boats of a later type be sent to Azores as soon as practicable. If new boats will be available for this purpose within next three months the boats of Division Four can be sent home either singly or as a division for refit and subsequent assignment to duty at home or abroad as may then appear desirable.5 If new boats are not available within three months it will be necessary to send boats of Division Four to Lisbon for docking and refit, but it will not be practicable to make all changes deemed desirable. If latter course is to be followed, new batteries for K-2 and E-I should be sent to Azores at practicable date; if latter course is to be followed, information is requested as to when K-5 may be expected to return, in order that docking schedule may be arranged accordingly.6

8591

Sims

18428         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 414.

Footnote 1: The initials of the typist/coder.

Footnote 2: “Sims' Chief of Staff Capt. Nathan C. Twining (“NCT”).

Footnote 3: RAdm. Herbert O. Dunn, Commander Azores Detachment, Atlantic Fleet.

Footnote 4: See, Dunn to Sims, 19 April 1918, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520.

Footnote 5: Submarine Division Four remained in the Azores.

Footnote 6: K-5 remained in the United States until war’s end.