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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral Leigh C. Palmer, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, to Staff of Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Chronological Copy.                          File No. <30/1/18>

Cablegram Received <September 9,1918.>   AHI

Origin OpnavWashington.                       Ser. No. 1188

     O-1    10 September

Clear

Simsadus

1188 Your 43791 In response to your 32272 Bureau has been sending entire personnel necessary for manning 19 merchant vessels and 20 Lake class vessels,3 total 39 at present operated by Army as rapidly as men and transportation become available. Impossible to send men rate for rate. Best possible is being done. Transportation difficulties such that all men necessary cannot be sent to England, majority necessary being sent to France for trans[s]hipment. Bureau regrets complication but has no choice. Advising you by cable composition of each draft sent as heretofore. Drafts have specific orders giving disposition of each unit. 112109 1188.

Admiral Palmer          

5 AM SEPT 10 1918. 

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date notation following the text of the cable.

Footnote 1: See, Sims to Bureau of Navigation, 8 September 1918, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. See also: Sims to Bureau of Navigation, 11 September 1918.

Footnote 2: This cable has not been found.

Footnote 3: Lake class vessels were used to transport coal for the U.S. Army from England to France.

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