USS Sims, lead ship of a class of 1570-ton destroyers, was built at Bath Maine. Commissioned in August 1939, she served in the Atlantic for the next two-and-a-half years, taking part in fleet training exercises, neutrality patrols and "short of war" operations. She transited to the Pacific in December 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
As a unit of Task Force 17, built around USS Yorktown (CV-5), Sims operated in the Central and Southern Pacific during the first part of 1942. In early May, she was assigned to escort the oiler USS Neosho (AO-23) as the U.S. carriers maneuvered to confront a Japanese force advancing to attack Port Moresby, New Guinea. On 7 May 1942, in the early phases of the Battle of the Coral Sea, enemy carrier planes found the destroyer and oiler. In an overwhelming air attack, USS Sims was sunk and Neosho so badly damaged she had to be scuttled.
This page features selected views of USS Sims (DD-409).
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: 19-N-20822 USS Sims (DD-409) Off the Kennebec River, Maine, during her builder's trials, 6 July 1939. She is flying the flag of Bath Iron Works, her builder, at the foremast peak. Note that Sims' Mark 37 main gun battery director has not yet been installed. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 63125 USS Sims (DD-409) Off the Kennebec River, Maine, at the time of her builder's trials, 6 July 1939. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 91706 USS Sims (DD-409) Photographed at the time of her builder's trials, circa 6 July 1939. Note Bath Iron Works flag atop her foremast. Photo by Douglas. Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN (Retired). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 485 pixels |
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Photo #: 19-N-21805 USS Sims (DD-409) Off the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 9 May 1940. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-21804 USS Sims (DD-409) Off the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 9 May 1940. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 585 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-21806 USS Sims (DD-409) Off the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 9 May 1940. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
15 May 2000