Office of Naval Operations to Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, and Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters
Chronological Copy.
Date Nov. 22, 1918 File No. <55-5-3>
Sent 11:15 p.m. Nov. 21 Serial No. 5470
Recd. 6:14 a.m. Nov. 22 Cipher 58
From Opnav Washington To Simsadus For Benson and Sims
SWO 22 Nov R/T Paris 188
No. 5470 The Army is in possession of list of German passenger ships in German ports which show such names as:
| BISMARK
|
56,000 tons
|
| IMPERATOR
|
52,000 tons
|
| COLUMBUS
|
35,000 tons
|
| K)AUGUSTUS VICTORIA
|
24,000 tons
|
| WILLIAM OSWALD
|
20,000 tons
|
| J.H.BURGHORD
|
20,000 tons
|
| CAP POLJONIA
|
19,500 tons
|
| TIRPITZ
|
19,300 tons
|
| BERLIN
|
17,300 tons
|
| P.F.WILHELM
|
17,000 tons
|
| CLEVELAND
|
16,900 tons
|
| VICTORIA LOUISE
|
16,700 tons
|
| ZEPPELIN
|
15,200 tons
|
and several others.
Army is anxious to obtain services of some of these ships for transporting troops, especially the first three but they also desire if these ships were used, to run them with U.S.Navy personnel in same manner as the USS LEVIATHAN. What is the status of these ships, when will they be put in service and who will handle them. Tonnage needs being acute, will they be kept out of service until peace is signed. Any information pertaining to this subject requested also any information which will keep Department posted on general situation. 15021 5470
<Opnav.>
R E T R A N S M I T
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. A heading, “Received Cablegram,” appears centered amid the material at the top of the cable, but would not fit on the line in this format.
