Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Anne Hitchcock Sims

[Extract]

July 21,1917

Saturday

My darling Sweetheart-

. . . .A letter from Pratt1 quotes the following remarks to him by Pallen.2 “That man Sims has simply taken the country by storm; besides he is so preposterously good looking” (Note the adjective)

“Do you realize that Sims is the only foreigner that has commanded a fleet practically entirely made up of British units for over 400 years”.3

Pratt adds: “that tells the story as nothing else could do it. It shows, and I think everybody here realizes it, that you are essentially the man for the job.”

This has certainly given me a better standing on both sides of the ocean.

. . . .This morning about 8, while I was in the bath room, there was another air raid. There was a great banging of anti-aircraft-guns, and the sound of louder explosions, and they seemed all about the hotel, but I could not see any of the Hun planes. I do not know yet whether the bombs fell, or what damage was done.

     People are getting more sensible about these raids, and now generally take cover when warned by the police. I would of course always do so if the planes were approaching an overhead position. . . .

Your devoted

Will