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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral Lewis Bayly, R.N., Commander, Naval Forces, Southern Ireland, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Navy Forces Operating in European Waters

Admiralty House,   

Queenstown.

12 . 11 . 17

My dear Admiral

     Your letter that you are coming: your telegram that you are not.1 Very sorry though there is not much to see here.

     I am sorry they are sending the two destroyers back to the USA,2 they get a good deal knocked about in the Atlantic, and are of no use there, while they would be very useful in France.

I hope you will give Pringle3 a good man, tactful, understanding men, disciplinarian &c for the training establishment at Passage. He will have a great responsibility, especially if we have trouble in Ireland & should be a Commd.

I am afraid that the destroyers are being run rather close to their limit, without a margin for accidents breaks down &c. It all depends on what escorts are ordered. The high speed escorts in bad weather are especially severe on them.

The Niece4 sends her love

yours very sincerely

Lewis Bayly

Source Note: ALS, DLC-MSS, William S. Sims Papers, Box 47. Written on stationary.

Footnote 1: Document has not been found.

Footnote 2: The two destroyers were the Walke and Perkins, destined for comprehensive overhaul in the United States. See: Diary of Joseph K. Taussig, 17 November 1917.

Footnote 3: Lt. Cmdr. Joel R. Poinsett Pringle, Senior Officer, Destroyer Flotilla.

Footnote 4: Miss Violet Voysey.

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