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Sims (WILLIAM SOWDEN an American)

WILLIAM SOWDEN, an American naval officer; born at Port Hope, Canada, in 1858. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Pennsylvania. Graduated in 1880, he ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. SIMS was promoted through the various grades to the rank of commander in 1907, of captain in 1911, of rear-admiral in January, 1917, and of vice-admiral in May, 1917. His various assignments included service with the North Atlantic Station (1880-1882 and 1885-1887); on the "Colorado" (1882) ; at the New York Navy Yard (1883-1885); on the nautical schoolship "Saratoga" (1889-1893); on the "Philadelphia," Pacific Station (1893- 1894); on the "Charleston," China Station tion (1894-1896); naval attaché of American embassies at Paris and Petrograd (1897-1900); various assignments with SIN SINAI the Asiatic Fleet (1900-1902); inspector guilt and its penalty death pass to all of target practice, Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department (1902-1909); naval aide to the President (1907-1909); com- (1909-1911) ; Naval War College, New- (1909-1911); Naval War College, Newport, R. I. (1911-1913); commanding of- (1913-15) commanding officer of the "Nevada" (1915-1917). During the World War he was in command of the naval operations of the United States in European waters. In 1920 he made an extensive report to the United States Senate sub-committee on Naval Affairs, alleging that grave errors had been committed by the United States Naval Board in connection with the management of the United States Naval operations during the World War. This report resulted in an extensive controversy between Admiral Sims and Secretary of the Navy Daniels.

In 1919 Admiral Sims declined the D. S. M. which had been awarded to him.

He received the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, was made a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor, and held honorary degrees from Yale and Harvard universities and from Tufts and Juniata colleges.