SIMS-CLASS DESTROYERS
By A. D. Jensen
The U.S. Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair (BuC&R) began design
studies in early-1936 for the Sims-class (DD-409) destroyers. At the
same time, the second Naval Arms Limitation Treaty, signed in March 1936,
included destroyers in a new category of light surface vessels, eliminating a
previous treaty's limit of 1,500-tons. Under the new definition, destroyers
could displace 3,000 tons, but the maximum tonnage for the total number of U.S.
destroyers could not exceed 150,000 tons. In effect, any attempt to make the
ships larger reduced the number that could be built. As it turned out, the navy
was satisfied with the existing course of destroyer development and planned
little increase in displacement. Conforming to the new limits, the navy's
contract plans for the new destroyers allowed for increased structural
"scantlings," improved sea keeping, and limited hull growth. Once complete, the
plans were ready for Gibbs & Cox, the design agent, to begin the detailed
working drawings.
The new Sims-class destroyers were a modest improvement over their
predecessors, the Benham-class (DD-397). Although they retained the
basic lines of the earlier 1,500-ton ships, they were lengthened by eight feet,
which brought the ships' overall displacement to 1,570 tons. The additional 70
tons was used to strengthen the hull girder, subdivide the machinery spaces,
and add some light ballistic protection to the new director and pilothouse. The
Sims-class introduced the 5-inch MK 37 director to destroyer service in
the U.S. Navy. With its computing elements located below decks, the new
director was a considerable improvement over the MK 33. Whereas the Benhams
mounted four five-inch guns and sixteen 21-inch torpedo tubes, the new design
called for armament configured much like that of the Mahans, with five
5-inch guns and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes. The 5-inch guns were all of the
base ring-type, and mounts 51, 52, and 55 were fully enclosed. One torpedo tube
was on the centerline, and the remaining two were wing mounts to port and
starboard with provision made for four reloads so that a full eight-tube
broadside could be fired to either side.
A notable feature of the design was the streamlining of the superstructure and
deck edges, areas subjected to considerable windage, especially at high speeds.
The forward end of the bridge was rounded, as were the edges of the forecastle
and first superstructure decks. As originally designed the Sims-class
had the following characteristics:
Measurements
Length overall: 347 feet 3 inches
Extreme beam: 36 feet 1 inches
Standard Displacement: 1,570 tons
Machinery
Three boilers
Two sets geared turbines
Two shafts/screws
Shaft horsepower: 50,000 hp
Speed: 38.7 knots
Armament (as built)
Five single 5-inch/38 caliber gun mounts
Three quadruple 21-inch torpedo tubes
Four .50 caliber machine guns
Two depth charge release tracks (for 600-pound charges)
Four single K-Gun depth-charge projectors (for 300-pound charges)
Armament (typical 1944)
Four single 5-inch/38 caliber gun mounts
Two quadruple 21-inch torpedo tubes
Two twin 40-mm gun mounts
Four single 20-mm gun mounts
Two depth charge release tracks (for 600-pound charges)
Four single K-Gun depth-charge projectors (for 300-pound charges)
Manning
Officers: 16
Enlisted: 235
The Anderson (DD-411), assigned to Federal Shipbuilding in Kearny, New
Jersey, was the lead ship for the Sims-class. Upon completion, she was
found to be almost 120 tons overweight and top heavy. To remedy the situation,
at least partially, several things were done. First, mount 53, the 5-inch gun
mount was landed, and the crew's shelter on the after deckhouse was removed.
Next, one of the wing torpedo tube mounts was removed, and the other mount was
relocated on the centerline at the deckhouse level amidships and aft of the
forward tube mount. The provision for reloads was abandoned. Then, sixty tons
of fixed ballast were added, the height of the mast was reduced and, finally,
the splinter protection around the director and pilothouse was not installed on
later ships. The first ships of the class were too far along to have the
modification applied until after commissioning, but the later ships were
modified before their completion.
The topside arrangement of the Sims-class was similar to the Benhams,
with a raised forecastle protecting the officers and CPO quarters and the
galley from the weather. Aft of the galley, the uptakes from the three boilers
rose into a large single stack. The foundations for the torpedo tube mounts
were mounted on each end of the midships deck house, which accommodated the
torpedo and general workshops. The after deckhouse contained the crew's head,
40-mm ready service ammunition storage, and the handling room for mount 53
(originally mount 54) 5-in. gun mount. Internally, they were similar to the Benhams
with accommodations, stores, fuel oil, and magazines forward and aft. The
center, or machinery, section housed two boiler rooms, one with two boilers,
and two engine rooms, the aft of which contained the distilling plant.
Wartime improvements in the armament included the addition of 40-mm heavy and
20-mm light antiaircraft guns. The four .50 caliber machine guns were replaced
with single 20-mm guns. Later, two twin 40-mm gun mounts were fitted atop the
after deckhouse forward of mount 53. This displaced the after two 20-mm guns,
but one of them was kept and fitted on the forward side of the bridge. To save
weight, mount 53, received a half shield and was similar to the other mounts
but without roof plates. Gun crews were protected from the weather by a canvas
roof.
The problems of excessive weight and instability plagued the Sims-class
destroyers throughout their service life and made them ill-suited for service
in areas such as the North Atlantic. A final attempt to solve the problems was
made on the Mustin (DD-413) in August 1945. Both of her torpedo tube
mounts were removed and replaced by two twin 40-mm mounts one on each side atop
the midships deckhouse. This helped, but not enough to keep the survivors of
the class on active service at the war's end.
From The Tin Can Sailor, April 2000
