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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Commander Cyprian D. C. Bridge, to Captain Thomas E. Crease, Naval Assistant to First Sea Lord Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe

[Extract]

COPY OF TELEGRAM.

From Washington.                              DATE      1.11.17.

To-  Admiralty.                               SENT  11.30 pm.31s

RECD.     10.0 am.

Cypher K.

     484. Very Urgent. Following from Commodore Gaunt. Following from Commander Bridge for Captain Crease Naval Assistant to First Lord (begins)

     A very strong movement has been started here by Anti-submarine Board of Navy with idea of constructing fleet of 1000 submarine chasers 200 feet length 24 feet beam, 18 knots heavy oil engines, 5 inch, for use in conjunction with new types listening detectors in organized offensive against submarines. It is proposed to build vessels at inland factories, Chicago St.Louis &c., situated on rivers in order to avoid any interference with existing merchant and warship programme. It is believed that concentrated effort and diversion of existing non-war trade would permit completion of 500 boats by next May.

     Will you please cable me (privately or officially as you think advisable care of Blackwood New York, whether ?such a programme would be desirable.1 Matter is extremely urgent Board meet New York Friday morning 2nd Nov2. . . .

Source Note: Cy, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/655.

Footnote 2: That is, the Anti-Submarine Board. A fleet of submarine chasers was constructed, though not in the numbers mentioned here. Moreover, most were constructed at shipyards along the coast of the United States and not at “inland factories. https://www.subchaser.org/construction, accessed 7 January 2019.

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