Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, to Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters
Chronological Copy.
Date Dec. 8, 1918. Y-84 File No. <SM 7>
Sent 11.35 P.M. Dec. 7 Serial No. 6372
Received Cablegram
Recd. 3.28 A.M. Dec. 8 Cipher Clear
From Opnav To Simsadus
M-1 Dec. 8
C O N F I D E N T I A L
No. 6372 Your 1223.1
Following mine sweepers in American waters of LAPWING class have been commissioned and can be sent abroad for service mentioned: USS AVOCET, USS HERON, USS KINGFISHER, USS ORIOLE, USS PELICAN, USS PENGUIN, USS RAIL, USS ROBIN, USS SWALLOW, USS TEAL, USS WIDGEON.
These vessels however are engaged in very important sweeping operations and this together with the great demand for tugs and ice-breaking and salvage vessels needed in these waters at this season convinces the Department that their assignment to the North Sea Barrage is inadvisable unless other arrangements cannot be made. Please take this matter up with Admiral Benson2 and inform Department of his decision. 15007 6372
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.
Footnote 1: See: Sims to Benson, 6 November 1918.
Footnote 2: Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations.
