About this Unit
USS W.S. SIMS (FF-1059) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1970. Named after Admiral William Sowden Sims, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, and maritime patrol duties during the Cold War. W.S. SIMS participated in multiple exercises and deployments across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean, often operating with NATO allies. After nearly two decades of service, the frigate was decommissioned in September 1991 and later sunk as a target during naval exercises.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS W.S. SIMS (FF-1059) was named after Admiral William Sims, a prominent U.S. Naval officer known for his innovations in gunnery and leadership during World War I.
• Class and Role: She was a Knox-class frigate, originally designated as a destroyer escort (DE-1059) before being reclassified as a frigate (FF-1059) in 1975.
• Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 3 January 1970, with her homeport in Newport, Rhode Island.
• ASW Specialization: USS W.S. SIMS was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), equipped with advanced sonar, ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) launchers, and a helicopter hangar for LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) operations.
• Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, she played a role in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, supporting helicopter operations and providing security.
• Rescue Missions: The frigate was involved in several rescue operations, including saving Vietnamese refugees ("boat people") in the South China Sea following the fall of Saigon.
• Service in the Mediterranean: W.S. SIMS conducted several deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, participating in NATO exercises and patrolling during periods of regional tension in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Technical Upgrades: During her service, she received upgrades to her electronics and weapons systems, including the addition of the Sea Sparrow missile system for improved air defense.
• Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on 6 September 1991 after over two decades of service, as part of the post-Cold War reduction of the U.S. Navy fleet.
• Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS W.S. SIMS was struck from the Naval Vessel Register and eventually sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise in 1993.
