Existing comment:
Admiral William Sowden Sims
(1858-1936)
by E Hodgson Smart, 1923
The United States Navy's wartime representative in London, William Sowden Sims, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1880.
An inspiring leader, he made significant contributions to the prewar "New Navy." Particularly notable were his methods of gunnery training and his development of destroyer concepts and tactics.
Rear Admiral Sims was enroute to Europe on a liaison mission when the United States declared war on Germany. He grasped the dire threat of the enemy submarine campaign, and convinced Washington to spur the deployment of American anti-submarine forces to Europe. He was a strong advocate of the convoy system used so successfully in this war.
Promoted in May 1917, the next month Vice Admiral Sims was designated Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters. He made full admiral in December 1918. |