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Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Detachment Commanders in European Waters

 

     Cablegram Sent      Nov.10, 1917.

To See Below                              Serial No. See Below

Via N C B 17 ADR                  Prep. by EGB Appvd. by COS1

Copies to COS, JVB, EGB.2

To

 [number obliterated] Ampat Brest.3

 269 Melvus Queenstown4

 176 Senafloat Gibraltar

  82 Senafloat Ponta del Gada.5

<226> Admiralty has issued following instructions Quote Any vessel proceeding in company with British or Allied submarines will fly international flag “M” at mast head, accompanied by a group from the numeral table in the International Code of Signals indicating the number of submarines in company Unquote.

Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identification numbers “1/5/J/N” appear in the upper-right corner.

Footnote 1: Lt. Edward G. Blakeslee, an aide on Sims’ staff and Capt. Nathan C. Twining, Sims’ chief of staff.

Footnote 2: Cmdr. John V. Babcock.

Footnote 3: Headquarters for RAdm. Henry B. Wilson, Commander, Patrol Forces Based in French Waters.

Footnote 4: Headquarters for the commander of the destroyer flotilla at Queenstown, Capt. Joel R. Poinsett Pringle. The name is taken from his flagship, the Melville.

Footnote 5: Senior officer afloat at Gibraltar, RAdm. Albert P. Niblack, and senior officer afloat at Ponta Delgada, and Capt. Samuel S. Robison.

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