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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

Chronological Copy.                         File No. <24-5-19>

               Cablegram Sent      September 10 1918 EJW

To   Opnav Washington.                Serial No. 4469

Prep. by  CS                  NCT D.R.

                                       45 ADR.

S E C R E T

4469. Naval Attache, Lisbon,1 recommends United States furnish Portugal several submarine chasers on account of present inadequate patrol Portuguese coast maintained by few Portuguese vessels in bad condition. In three weeks, ending September seventh, there were seventeen cases of submarine activity in proximity Portuguese coast and nine vessels were sunk by submarines. Portuguese Admiralty also requests United States Navy to furnish supply of gasoline without which their seaplanes are useless.

          I cannot recommend diversion to Portuguese waters of any U.S.Navy anti-submarine vessels at the present time, as all are needed in other areas which it is more important to cover. Recommend Department do something to meet request for gasoline if possible. 062510

4469. Sims.                  

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time-date stamp at the end of the document.

Footnote 1: Lt. Cmdr. Edward Breck.

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