NAVY DEPARTMENT Office of Naval Operations Washington, D. C. _Secret and Confidential_ To: Commander, Eighth Division, Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet, U.S.S. _Wadsworth_, Flagship. Subject: Protection of commerce near the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. 1. The British Admiralty have requested the co-operation of a division of American destroyers in the protection of commerce near the coasts of Great Britain and France. 2. Your mission is to assist naval operations of Entente Powers in every way possible. 3. Proceed to Queenstown, Ireland. Report to senior British naval officer present, and thereafter co-operate fully with the British navy. Should it be decided that your force act in co-operation with French naval forces your mission and method of co-operation under French Admiralty authority remain unchanged. Route to Queenstown. Boston to latitude 50 N--Long. 20 W to arrive at daybreak then to latitude 50 N--Long. 12 W thence to Queenstown. When within radio communication of the British naval forces off Ireland, call G CK and inform the Vice-Admiral at Queenstown in British general code of your position, course, and speed. You will be met outside of Queenstown. 4. Base facilities will be provided by the British Admiralty. 5. Communicate your orders and operations to Rear-Admiral Sims at London and be guided by such instructions as he may give you. Make no reports of arrival to Navy Department direct. JOSEPHUS DANIELS.