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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             Oct 18, 1917

To   Opnav Washington              Serial No. 355

Via  Q 24      Prep. by Roys Appvd. By C of S1

Sent           Initials      File No.

VERY SECRET

Copies to: Comdr. Roys

955. Class B Torpedoed and Sunk October seventeenth STARMONT Latitude 49, 56N. Longitude 5, 31W. Name unknown Latitude 48, 57N. Longitude 4, 0W. Latitude 38, 43N. Longitude 22, 17W.—A139 Latitude 49, 56N. Longitude 5, 0W. Submarine sighted September thirtieth Latitude 33, 45N. Longitude 15, 30W. October seventeenth Latitude 57, 36N. Longitude 0, 57W. Latitude 55, 35N. Longitude 7, 16W. Latitude 55, 38N. Longitude 7, 02W. Latitude 57, 42N. Longitude 8, 30W. Latitude 57, 46N. Longitude 8, 51W. Latitude 58 36N. Longitude 7, 9W. Latitude 54, 39N. Longitude 4, 50W. Latitude 49, 53N. Longitude 5, 35W. Latitude 45, 00N. Longitude 11, 26W. Latitude 35, 58N. Longitude 8, 56W. October eighteenth Latitude 51, 30N. Longitude 2, 15E. Latitude 49, 6N. Longitude 3, 50W.

Class A Milford reports drifter “ACTIVE III” mined and sunk at 8:50 a.m. on October 15th, 9 mile N.62 W. from St.Anne’s Head (Milford Haven). No survivors.

Admiralty, Gibraltar reports armed boarding steamer “City of Belfast” in action with submarine while on patrol off Cape de Gata at 5 a.m. October 15th. “City of Belfast” has 3 killed and 2 wounded by gunfire and ship is holed near waterline. Oil and wreckage were observed in vicinity of action and it is considered submarine was probably sunk or badly damaged. 19318.

Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. “Action Copy” appears in the upper-left corner.

Footnote 1: Lt. Cmdr. John H. Roys, served as Sims’ liaison officer with British Naval Intelligence; Capt. Nathan C. Twining served as Sims’ Chief of Staff.

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