The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Sims Class, U.S.

Destroyers (original) (raw)

The Sims were completed in 1939-40. Their design was initially based on the Benhams, but the signing of the London Treatyin 1936 raised the tonnage limit on individual destroyers to 3000 tons and opened new design possibilities. The final design had one more 5" gun and one less torpedo bank than the Benhams on a stronger and more seaworthy hull. They also introduced the Mark 37 fire control computer. However, the first units came out 120 tons over the design weight and had serious stability problems, requiring removal of one bank of torpedoes and the splinter protection around the bridge and the addition of 60 tons of ballast. They cost about $7,000,000 apiece (1940 dollars).