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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Naval Constructor Laurence S. Adams

17 October, 1917.

My dear Adams:

     In regard to the Russian submarines, the decision in that case was that the Navy Department would not initiate anything in the way of asking for them, but should the request come through the proper channels and in the proper form from the Russian Government, it would, undoubtedly, receive favorably consideration.1 Should these boats be turned over to the Government, they would not be assembled at Portsmouth, but in some other yard where the possibility of their interfering with the important construction would be very much less than at Portsmouth.2

     With kind personal regards and best wishes,

          Very sincerely yours,

               Benson

Source Note: TLS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 677. Addressed at foot: "Naval Constructor L.S. Adams, U.S.N./Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H." Identification number in top left-hand corner: “Op-9-z.”

Footnote 1: In March 1918, the United States bought six Russian submarines at a cost of $600,000 each. Daniels, Cabinet Diaries, 293.

Footnote 2: The Navy tried to have the submarines fitted out in a private shipyard. Ibid., 294.