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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

The Force Commander, U.S.Navy.

C O P Y.

5th February, 1919.                              Q.221.7

Requisitioned property in use by U.S.Aviation Services.

          I propose that, when the Air Ministry have decided which of the properties requisitioned in Ireland for U.S.Seaplane Stations will not be required by them, the U.S.Aviation Service shall remove from those properties all that they wish to keep or to sell, and that I shall then be informed that the properties are vacated. I will then take all steps in regard to reconditioning the properties or arranging to pay the Owners compensation in lieu of reconditioning, the cost being charged by the British Government against the United States’ Government.

2.        The reconditioning of those properties will be an expensive matter, especially in view of the large area of concrete foundations, slips, etc.,which may have to be removed. The proposal in paragraph 1 appears to me to be the best and most economical because :-

(a)  The land was originally requisitioned by the British Admiralty and placed at the disposal of the U.S.Aviation Service.

(b)  The reconditioning can probably be done by the British Government at a cheaper rate than it could be done by the United States’ Government.

(c)  The United States’ Officers and men would not be detained to do work or to supervise contractors doing it.

LEWIS BAYLY.                

Admiral.               

Commander in Chief.              

Source Note: Cy, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/656. Notations below close: “II No.Q.221.V/O.C., U.S.Air Stations, Ireland./For information.”

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