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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

Sept.10,1918. 3:13 

Opnav Washington.                                     [6848?]

O-1         Sx  55 ADR                       Serial No. 1189.

<Cablegram September 9, 1918.>

SECRET.

Simsadus

     1189. The occasional torpedoing of our troop transport the westbound trip is causing the Department some concern. Get in touch with Admiral Wilson1 to see if the situation can be remedied. The plot of enemy submarines operating from Sept.1 to Sept.7 against our tropp [i.e., troop] convoys would be included in a circli [i.e., circle] of 180 miles radius from Lat. 40°_00' Long. 10°_45' west as a center. Have the routes of westbound <S>hips been sufficiently varied and is it the practice to issue these instructions only at the last moment before sailing. The Department desires the question of patrol by our subamrines based at Berehaven in the area infested by enemy submarines operating against our troop convoys be considered. Would a force composed of some of our O-boats operated from Brest,,France, be an additional safeguard.2 20009 1189

     Benson

          9:50 AM Sept.10, 1918.

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

Footnote 1: RAdm. Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Forces Based in France.

Footnote 2: See: Sims to Benson, 13 September 1918.

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