Destroyers: Sims Class

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Brian James
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Destroyers: Sims Class

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A Curtiss SBC-3 (Curtiss Model 77A) biplane from VS-6 off USS Enterprise pictured as she flies past Sims Class Destroyer USS Mustin,Pacific Ocean,May 1940.
The major difference between the prototype XSBC-3 and the production aircraft was the engine. A contract for 83 aircraft was signed in August 1936 and deliveries began on July 17th 1937. The production aircraft were powered by an 825 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-94 fourteen-cylinder, twin-row, air-cooled engine driving a three-blade propeller. Armament consisted of two 0.30-caliber machine guns, one fixed gun in the right side of the fuselage forward of the pilot and a flexible gun in the rear cockpit. The aircraft had a bomb displacement swing located on the centreline of the fuselage for a 500-lb bomb or a 45-U.S.gallon fuel tank.
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Brian James
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Re: Destroyers: Sims Class

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Sims Class Destroyer USS Buck pictured off Philadelphia Navy Yard on July 22nd 1940...She was sunk by German Type VIIC Submarine U-616 on October 9th 1943 off the coast of Salerno, when she was working in support of Operation Avalanche. She flooded quickly, settling down forward and sinking within four minutes. Although most of her depth charges were set to safe before the Destroyer was abandoned, a severe underwater explosion killed and wounded sailors in the water. Spotted by friendly aircraft the next morning, 97 survivors were rescued by the Destroyer Gleaves and the British LCT-170 the following evening.
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Brian James
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Re: Destroyers: Sims Class

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Sims Class Destroyer USS Hammann pictured prior to her Pacific transfer, at Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina in January 1942..She was sunk in the Battle of Midway by Submarine I-168 on June 6th 1942..During the air battle on June 4th, Hammann screened Yorktown, helping to shoot down many of the attacking aircraft. However, the Carrier took two torpedo hits and, listing heavily, was abandoned that afternoon. Hammann picked up survivors in the water, including Yorktown's skipper, Captain Buckmaster, and transferred them to the larger ships. Efforts were mounted to save the stricken Carrier on the next morning. A skeleton crew returned on board Yorktown, and attempts were made to tow her to safety. Hammann came alongside on June 6th to transfer a damage control party. The Destroyer then lay alongside, providing hoses and water for firefighting, power, and other services while tied up next to the Carrier...The salvage party was making progress when the protective Destroyer screen was penetrated by Japanese Submarine I-168 after noon on June 6th. Four torpedoes were fired; one missed, two passed under Hammann and hit Yorktown, and the fourth hit the Destroyer amidships, breaking her in half..As the debris from the explosion rained down and the ships lurched apart, it was apparent that the Hammann was doomed. Life rafts were lowered and rescue efforts by surrounding ships commenced. The Hammann sank, bow first, in just four minutes. Following her sinking there was a violent underwater explosion, the likely cause of which was the Destroyer's depth charges and torpedoes. The explosion caused many deaths in the water, bringing the death toll to 84. Survivors were taken aboard the Destroyers Benham and Balch.
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Brian James
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Re: Destroyers: Sims Class

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Sims Class Destroyer USS Morris pictured on entry to Charleston Navy Yard Dry Dock...She was among the most decorated US vessels of WWII.
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Brian James
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Re: Destroyers: Sims Class

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Sims Class Destroyer USS Mustin pictured at Pearl Harbor on June 14th 1942...Mustin received 13 Battle Stars for WW II service.Late in 1945 she returned to the west coast and sailed back to Hawaii to prepare for 'Operation Crossroads' at Bikini Atoll, in which she was engaged through the summer of 1946. She decommissioned on August 29th 1946 after use as a target; she remained at Bikini and was destroyed by gunfire on April 18th 1948 in the Marshall Islands.
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