In a memorandum, Commander Sims addresses the need to appoint a new Engineer-in-Chief for the Navy. The Board on Construction’s sudden decision in 1904 to design smaller battleships was due to Senator Eugene Hale’s influence with the Engineer-in-Chief and the Board. Hale has a history of influencing the Navy, and Sims recommends appointing a new Engineer-in-Chief who is not controlled by Hale.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-01

Creator(s)

Sims, William Sowden, 1858-1936

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Page Count

3

Production Method

Typed

Record Type

Multi-image

Resource Type

Memorandum

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation

Cite this Record

Chicago:

Memorandum by William Sowden Sims. [June 1, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299384. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Sims, William Sowden, 1858-1936. Memorandum by William Sowden Sims. [1 Jun. 1908]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299384.

APA:

Sims, William Sowden, 1858-1936., [1908, June 1]. Memorandum by William Sowden Sims.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299384.

Cite this Collection

Chicago:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.

APA:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.