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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 Commander Charles R. Train, United States Naval Attaché in Rome

Subject Copy.                                File No. <28-11-2>

Cablegram Sent 4 Sept 1918,    ALS

To Alusna Rome1                               Serial No. 171

Prep. by  M-4                 NCT2   D.R.

44 ARD (C-1)            

SECRET

171 Your 230.3 I concur in recommendation of Italian Admiralty to lay mine barrage as suggested in order to take advantage of a line which gives maximum depth of 430 fathoms and am pleased that Italian Admiralty is verifying soundings. Referring to Italian recommendation QUOTE to complete fixed nets Otranto Fano Island and supplement it with mines from surface to 85 meters UNQUOTE, I agree to supplementing the complete fixed net Otranto Fano Island by laying one row of mines beneath this net but regret it is impossible to lay the U.S. mines between top of net and surface except for a portion of the length of net without re-designing the mine. In view of this and of the additional large number of mines that would be required I agree with the recommendation of the Malta Conference as stated on page 18 of the report of the Conference.4 181004 171

SIMS.         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: “Alusna Rome” was the cable address for Train.

Footnote 2: “M-4” was probably someone in the Material Section of Sims’ staff; “NCT” was Sims’ chief of staff Capt. Nathan C. Twining.

Footnote 4: See: Allied Minelaying Conference Report, 15 August 1918.