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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

 

Cablegram Sent      Nov. 8, 1917

To Opnav Washington                            Serial No. 1341

Via N C B 18 ADR                  Prep. by BAL Appvd. by NCT1

Sent                         Initials                  File No.

Copy to BAL

VERY SECRET

1341. Your 925. From Benson.2 My understanding with Secretary3 and Operations was that no decision on mine barrier project would be made until after I had arrived here and discussed subject with Admiral Jellicoe4 and Admiral Sims. Operations action in sending 925 has embarrassed me very decidedly. During remainder my absence send all Departmental decisions involving policy to me before sending them for transmittal to Admiralty. Consider that 925 should not have been sent until after I had arrived here and been informed.

                           Sims, 19208

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

Footnote 1: Cmdr. Byron A. Long, a member of the Operations Section of the staff of VAdm. William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces in European Waters, and Capt. Nathan C Twinning, Sims' chief of staff.

Footnote 2: Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations. Document 925, has not been found.

Footnote 3: Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. Benson was upset that major decisions concerning the North Sea Mine Barrage were made without consulting him, particularly as he was trying to better understand allied needs on his trip to Europe. See: Sims to Anne Hitchcock Sims, 1 November 1917.

Footnote 4: First Sea Lord Adm. Sir John R. Jellico, R.N.