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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 Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

CABLEGRAM SENT      14 November 1918. Y 19

To   Amnavpar Paris                    Serial No. 137.

137. For Benson. Referring to Opnav. 50271 regarding rotation of dreadnoughts. I recommend the plan be abandoned and that the ARIZONA be not sent over.2 It would seem that Battleship Division Six could be sent home soon but I would like to arrange that it go to the Grand Fleet for a week or so before going home.3 This cannot be done just now but can probably be arranged within a week or ten days. 175914  137

SIMS.

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

Footnote 1: This specific document has not been found, but for more on the plan to rotate battleships, see: Sims to Murray, 16 October 1918, and Sims to Benson, 27 October 1918.

Footnote 2: Arizona departed 18 November and replaced Nevada upon its arrival in European waters. Nevada joined Battleship Division Nine, operating in the North Sea with the British Grand Fleet.

Footnote 3: Other than Nevada, the ships of Battleship Division Six never joined the Grand Fleet. The two divisions joined up at Portsmouth, England on 4 December and later escorted President Woodrow Wilson to France for peace negotiations. Jones, U.S. Battleship Operations: 105-106.

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