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 Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels

24th November 1917.

From:     Force Commander

To  :     The Secretary of the Navy (Operations – Aviation)

Subject: Aviation – Weekly Report of Operations.

     1. England.

          The two S.S. Zero1 type Airships built on contract for the U.S.Navy have been accepted after excellent trial flights and are being crated prepatory to shipment to the Commandant, Navy yard, New York.2

          Enlisted personnel training in lighter than air craft at Cranwell and Roehampton are making very good progress.

          On Saturday, November 24th, whilst landing a free balloon, Norris,R.H.,Seaman 2nd cl. U.S.Navy sustained minor injuries and is at present receiving treatment at the Military Hospital, Purfleet.

     2.   France.

          Weekly Report of Aircraft operations in France has not been received.

     3.   Ireland.

          Excavation work is in progress on the site of the four stations authorized in Ireland.

WM. S. SIMS   

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

Footnote 1: S. S. Zero, stands for Scout Ship Zero (SSZ) class of air ships. The SSZs were non-rigid blimp style airships with open cockpit used to patrol for submarines along the allied coast. Johnson, Fly Navy: 74-75.

Footnote 2: RAdm. Nathaniel R. Usher, Commandant, New York Navy Yard.