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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 Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

Chronological Copy.                             File No.

Cablegram Sent 19 November 1918. Y-21

To Opnav Washington                             Serial No. 76

Prep. by  O1                     SX  D.R.

42 ADR            

CONFIDENTIAL

76. Your 5309.1 The only suitable vessels in Europe to relieve the OLYMPIA2 are the BIRMINGHAM and CHESTER both of which are in use as flagships in connection with duties regarding carrying out terms of armistice.3 Admiral McCully and staff remained in Northern Russia.4 It is proposed to take advantage of the opportunity to <d>ock the OLYMPIA and then return her to Murmansk. Your 5309. 183019. 76.

Sims.                  

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Notation below close: “Opnav 3508.”

Footnote 1: This cable has not been found.

Footnote 2: Olympia was part of the flotilla supporting the Allied intervention in northern Russia.

Footnote 3: Birmingham was serving as the flagship for Adm. William H. H. Bullard, the American representative to the delegation tasked with executing the naval armistice with Austria-Hungary. Chester was serving as the flagship of RAdm. Samuel S. Robison who was overseeing Germany’s compliance with terms of its armistice.

Footnote 4: RAdm. Newton A. McCully, Jr., commanded the American force that was part of the Allied expedition in northern Russia.

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