Skip to main content
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 Captain Philip Williams

 

November 25, 1917.

From:     Force Commander.

To:       Commanding Officer, U.S.S. CHESTER.

Via:      Commander, Patrol Squadrons based on Gibraltar.1

Subject:  Patrol based on Northern Portuguese Port.

Reference: Your letter No.468-17 of 26 October, 1917.2

          After consultation with the Admiralty the Force Commander is of the opinion that the submarine activity off the North West of Spain does not warrant basing escorting vessels in that vicinity at present.

          It is considered of primary importance, in order to defeat the submarine campaign, that all escorting forces be concentrated in the areas where submarine activity is concentrated. Any dispersal of our forces plays directly into the hands of the enemy.

WM. S. SIMS        

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Sims’ signature is a stamp. Identifying marker “C.” is typed in the upper-left corner, with “3100” handwritten in beside it.

Footnote 1: RAdm. Albert P. Niblack.

Footnote 2: This letter has not been found.