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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

Form A.

Action Copy.

                                                File No.      

          CABLEGRAM RECEIVED 4 February <3>, 1919.

Origin    SIMSADUS, LONDON                  Ser. No.     999.

Ref’d to

Date

ACTION, NOTES and INITIALS

 

 

           RLP

 

 

 

 

 

    AMNAVPAR PARIS

FOR BENSON OPNAV MISSION 231

SINCE RETURN OF ADMIRAL STRAUSS1 TESTS INDICATE SWEEPING WORK CAN NOT BE DONE SO EASILY AS ANTICIPATED. PRACTICAL DETAIL OF MINE SWEEPING HAVE BEEN STUDIED AT PORTSMOUTH BY OFFICERS FROM MINE FORCE AND AN ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION AND TIME OF OPERATION PREPARED. REPORT BEING FORWARDED OPNAV.2 THIS IS BASIS PRESENT ESTIMATE THAT AT LEAST EIGHTEEN ELECTIC PROTECT MINE SWEEPERS AVOCET CLASS REQUIRED ONE APRIL TO COMPLETE SWEEPING THIS SUMMER. INSTEAD USING SOME TO SHOOT UP MINES BROUGHT TO SURFACE. I RECOMMEND EIGHTEEN ELECTRIC PROTECTED AVOCET CLASS BE SENT TO ARRIVE NOT LESS THAT APRIL 1ST AND THAT COMMANDER BECK3 BE ORDERED UNITED STATES FOR DUTY IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR EQUIPEMNT AND LATER RETURN WITH THEM. 175803.

SIMS.                  

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: RAdm. Joseph Strauss.

Footnote 2: A copy of this report has not been located.

Footnote 3: Cmdr. William L. Beck.