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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

 

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED  Oct 16, 1917.

Origin    Opnav, Washington             Ser No 704

Via       N C B 18 ADR                   Date No. 13016

Copies to B.A.L. only1

Action referred to

B.A.L.             Cabled reply 20/10/17 BAL2

VERY SECRET.

 

Simsadus.

704.  We have received request from ships loading our Southern ports with cotton bound for Meditteranean Sea for convoys. As there is no convoy from Southern ports across, nor any convoy to Mediterranean Sea directly, they have first been directed to proceed Hampton Roads to report to British shipping authorities for convoy or routing. Considering all possible contingencies, what is the best policy in the matter.3 13016

Admiral Benson.    

5-40 am  

 

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. There is a note at the top of the page: “Mercantile Convoy” and an identification number in columnar fashion: “5/G/J” and below that the initials “MJK.”

Footnote 1: Cmdr. Byron A. Long, a member of Sims’ staff who handled issues relating to convoys.

Footnote 3: In his reply of 19 October, Sims recommended that a regular convoy be established to Gibraltar from Hampton Roads.

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