
REAR-ADMIRAL W. S. SIMS U.S. NAVY
BY REAR-ADMIRAL WILLIAM SOWDEN SIMS U.S. NAVY
COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN NAVAL FORCES OPERATING IN EUROPEAN WATERS DURING THE GREAT WAR
IN COLLABORATION WITH BURTON J. HENDRICK
WITH PORTRAIT AND PLANS
PREFACE
THE VICTORY AT SEA
CHAPTER I - WHEN GERMANY WAS WINNING THE WAR
CHAPTER II - THE RETURN OF THE "MAYFLOWER"
CHAPTER III - THE ADOPTION OF THE CONVOY
In this vivid account, a senior naval commander recounts the hidden struggle that defined the Atlantic theater of the Great War. He guides listeners through the desperate race to protect vital merchant fleets from the relentless onslaught of German U‑boats, describing how ordinary ships became covert weapons in a war below the waves. The narrative introduces the surprising technologies—depth charges, hydrophones, mystery ships, and explosive nets—that transformed a seemingly hopeless battle into a turning point for the Allies.
The author blends personal anecdotes with clear explanations, making complex anti‑submarine tactics accessible to anyone without a naval background. Through first‑hand stories of daring encounters and the improvisations that saved countless lives, listeners gain a sense of the tension and ingenuity that powered the silent campaign. While the book stays focused on the early years of the conflict, it leaves the ultimate outcome for history, inviting you to imagine how these secret efforts helped steer the war toward victory.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (807K characters)
Release date
2012-01-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

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A forceful naval reformer and wartime commander, he helped drag the U.S. Navy into the modern age. His career mixed technical curiosity, blunt honesty, and a talent for turning ideas about gunnery and tactics into real change.
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1870–1949
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