uss uss unique heavy cruiser united_states_navy built 1930s american cruiser designed meet limits london naval treaty originally intended new_orleans class heavy cruiser accordingly maximum main armament triple inch gun turrets instead placed improved hull derived brooklyn class light cruisers increased design form basis later world war era heavy cruisers baltimore class cruisers ship authorized cruiser act laid philadelphia naval shipyard october launched november commissioned navy february following commissioning assigned neutrality patrols atlantic united_states entered world war ship saw heavy service conflict assigned convoy escort duty run early supported amphibious landings operation torch november naval battle engaged french coastal batteries warships including battleship jean transferred pacific theater remained rest war frequently provided defense fast carrier task force operations central pacific including battles philippine sea gulf engagement assisted sinking japanese aircraft carrier heavily engaged invasion okinawa provided heavy gunfire support ground troops ashore japanese surrender ship served occupation force japan assisted american military personnel operation magic carpet returning united_states decommissioned placed fleet remained reserve stricken naval vessel register sold scrapping august design early 1930s secretary navy curtis pushed new construction program light heavy cruisers succeeded passing cruiser act authorized new cruisers heavy cruisers ordered heavy cruiser permitted terms london naval treaty limited heavy cruisers maximum standard displacement long tons ship originally intended built design new_orleans class design reworked construction began instead design based brooklyn class light cruisers brooklyn design modified heavily new ship higher better stability increased cruising radius secondary battery inch guns identical number light cruisers arranged better fields fire main battery inch guns mounted new gun turret design problems discovered earlier cruisers laid philadelphia naval shipyard october launched november time completed february nearly ton limit result completed inch guns displacement restriction rest inch guns installed found ship heavy long tons pig iron added balance cruiser commissioned navy february commander captain general characteristics feet long waterline long overall beam draft displaced long tons standard displacement long tons combat load ship crew officers enlisted men equipped pair aircraft crane handling aircraft mounted stern powered parsons steam turbines oil fired water tube boilers propulsion system rated shaft horsepower speed knots mph carried long tons fuel oil gave maximum cruising range nautical miles mph hull protected waterline armored belt composed class armor thick amidships reduced thick end belt backed special treatment steel class steel significantly effective class armor earlier cruisers inch guns yards penetrate belt opposed earlier armor thick deck immune inch fire inside conning tower thick sides thick roof ship main battery turrets thick faces thick sides thick thick roofs turrets mounted armored barbettes protected armor plating armament armed main battery inch mark guns mounted gun turrets guns fired pound projectiles muzzle velocity feet second maximum elevation guns degrees provided maximum range rate fire approximately shot seconds turrets allowed gun elevate fire individually secondary battery consisted inch mark dual purpose guns single enclosed mark high angle mounts open mounts guns fired projectiles rate rounds minute muzzle velocity aerial targets guns ceiling degrees degrees guns engage surface targets range cruiser navy equipped new inch gun august ship equipped numerous smaller guns close range anti aircraft defense sixteen guns placed quadruple mounts dual mounts carried eighteen guns single guns ceiling degrees elevation maximum rate fire rounds minute gun rate fire rounds minute ceiling end war ship armed variety fire control systems guns including mark fire control gear mark mark fire control radars service history departed philadelphia commissioning bound houston texas arrived april took memorial service san battle monument war museum ship left houston cruise visited virgin islands cuba bahamas returned philadelphia post repairs september weeks outbreak world war europe assigned cruiser division atlantic squadron based roads conducted neutrality patrol october returning port went dock norfolk navy yard maintenance lasted december december steamed bay cuba arriving 8th assumed command newly formed caribbean patrol included cruiser destroyers lawrence king navy patrol squadrons course months force conducted series training maneuvers caribbean end february returned norfolk philadelphia participated training starting june conducted goodwill cruise south_america carried rear admiral andrew commander cruiser division included ports rio_de_janeiro brazil buenos_aires argentina cruise ended late september cruisers arrived norfolk 24th months served training ship naval reserve conducted gunnery practices virginia january departed roads arriving days later participated fleet maneuvers caribbean march took practice amphibious landings puerto_rico returned united_states docking new_york navy yard march went sea april bound bermuda reached destination days later joined aircraft carrier ranger heavy cruiser patrol north_atlantic ships sailed nautical miles ireland returned new_york navy yard went drydock june repairs completed july transferred newport rhode_island sortied july bound iceland task force operation occupation iceland arrived august carrier wasp battleship mississippi task force landed contingent army troops fighter aircraft provide air support cruiser returned united_states august returned iceland september arriving september days prior arrival navy ordered units atlantic fleet protect ships engaged commerce united_states defensive waters orders authorized navy patrol escort attack german italian naval forces encountered assigned task group engaged patrolling waters end december japanese attacked pearl harbor bringing united_states world war day attack lay anchor iceland atlantic theater left port january training patrol denmark returned january 15th powerful storm sustained winds knots mph gusts mph hit iceland damaged storm including collision freighter west british ran aground light following day ship crew evaluated condition suffered minor damage collisions including leaks damage hull grounding temporary repairs effected iceland allow return new_york navy yard thorough repairs arrived february repairs lasted february left port training maneuvers maine early march march assigned task force departed united_states reinforce british home_fleet based scapa_flow task force commanded rear admiral john included wasp battleship washington cruiser destroyers route swept overboard heavy sea lost rear admiral robert flew flag took command task force arriving scapa_flow american ships spent weeks training british counterparts april departed major operation british assigned allied escort arctic convoys american component organized task force comprised washington destroyers british assigned carrier victorious battleship king george light cruiser destroyers successfully escorting convoys returned arriving sortied relieve patrolling denmark returned week later putting sea allied convoy escort protecting leg movement bound convoy eastbound scapa_flow completing mission scapa_flow king george inspected june left scapa_flow june bound arrived june relieved british cruiser cumberland patrol denmark patrol june spotted german reconnaissance bomber opened fire result days later engaged success returning steamed end june joined destroyers assigned escort convoy convoy escort included washington victorious battleship duke york germans organized powerful task force centered battleship heavy cruisers attack convoy operation knight swedish intelligence reported german departures british admiralty ordered convoy disperse aware detected germans aborted operation turned attack boats luftwaffe scattered vessels longer protected convoy escorts germans sank isolated transports day south ships spotted pair opened fire guns escaped damage late july went drydock royal_navy base scotland repairs included propeller shaft vibration lasted july august repairs propeller shaft ineffective necessitated return united_states reached new_york navy yard august repairs lasted september completed round post repair sea trials conducting gunnery exercises chesapeake_bay conducted training virginia rest month steamed bay maine maneuvers operation torch end october assigned task group command rear admiral kent flew flag task group included battleship massachusetts ships assigned provide gunfire support operation torch invasion french north_africa participated naval battle began early morning november ships tasked primary french defenses included coastal guns hank submarines incomplete battleship jean lay anchor harbor initially engaged french batteries hank french submarine massachusetts attacked jean french naval forces led cruiser defense response french launched pair attacks break american landings french attack damaged french destroyer milan forced aground second french attack defeated cruisers sank destroyer damaged massachusetts engaged jean hit shell fired gun hank shell penetrated deck exploded injuring fourteen men broke attack temporarily american warships began firing french vessels exiting harbor closed port engage cruisers harbor heavy fire hank forced american cruisers retreat shortly remainder operations north_africa patrolled amphibious assault complete departed area november bound new_york repairs arrived november pacific theater shortly repairs completed transferred pacific theater assigned task force commanded rear admiral tasked operations joined heavy cruisers louisville chicago light cruisers cleveland columbia addition escort carriers destroyers present task group night january task force steaming island wary threat japanese submarines allied intelligence indicated likely area arranged cruisers destroyers anti submarine defense expecting air attack cruisers aligned columns spaced apart chicago louisville order starboard cleveland columbia port destroyers nmi ahead cruiser columns evening ships came attack japanese torpedo bombers ensuing battle island chicago hit torpedoes sunk hit torpedo failed explode steamed new training period departed april bound pearl harbor arriving week later april steamed pearl harbor alaska flying flag task group early assigned amphibious force tasked islands japanese control served flagship northern covering force cruisers louisville san_francisco destroyers july cruisers destroyers bombarded japanese positions island bombardment convinced japanese americans intended invade island near future planned evacuation july july powerful american fleet including battleships new_mexico idaho mississippi joined conduct attack days later days later radar equipment led battle radar battle battleships cruisers expended thousand rounds ammunition main batteries sea day japanese successfully evacuated island invaded american troops weeks later morning assumed engagement launched seaplane area found evidence japanese forces participated exercises hawaii remainder year january departed invasion marshall islands assigned task group command rear admiral frederick task group included fleet carrier bunker hill light carriers fast battleships north_carolina massachusetts alabama south destroyers provided anti aircraft support carriers conducted air strikes january february arrived transferred task group force departed february conducted operation major air strike japanese base days later night february japanese aircraft launched attack task group torpedoed carrier task unit included detached escort safety repairs ships reached february departed hawaii days later ships arrived port march 9th flagship cruiser division march cruiser division departed hawaii return arriving march arriving joined screen fast carrier task force struck japanese bases supported strikes new_guinea april task force returned seas april second round port carriers striking cruisers destroyers shelled japanese targets island group caroline islands returned month training june returned fleet gathering preparations operations islands assigned task unit shelled june day bombarded japanese gun positions guam returning later day june joined task group force patrolled west days attempt intercept large japanese carrier force known approaching june japanese carriers struck american fleet starting battle philippine sea contributed screen gunners claimed assisted destruction torpedo bombers ship detached cover troop transports escort carriers june duty lasted week july task unit bombarded japanese positions guam july starting july departed guam august bound arrived days later remained july sea join task group screened fast carrier task group launched japanese targets philippines dutch_east_indies august raided targets mid september provided air support assault operation lasted september following day carriers launched manila philippines early september japanese aircraft launched counterattack shot bomber approximately yards shot bomber continued provide defense carriers struck japanese installations operations philippines got underway support raid okinawa october october fleet reached waters okinawa launched strike following day fleet struck fleet raided targeted japanese airfields prepare upcoming assault philippines october japanese bombers attacked fleet badly damaged cruiser canberra took canberra tow relieved ocean going october joined screen canberra squadron joined badly damaged cruiser houston ships attacked following day houston torpedoed left damaged ships october successfully reached safer waters rejoined fleet assigned task force vice admiral lee present battle gulf started october october fast carrier strike force steamed north attack northern force commanded screened carriers sank damaged japanese carriers task force detached finish crippled japanese ships gunfire cruisers sank light carrier destroyer expended percent armor piercing rounds ships amounted rounds aftermath battle returned screening carriers october provided gunfire support troops ashore days later defended japanese fleet october left area bound reaching destination november ammunition stores returned days middle november crew detected severe vibrations engine propeller shaft broken propeller trailing detached november repairs california divers discovered cracks propeller shaft screws operational reached san california december entered terminal island navy yard shortly reaching port repairs lasted february february departed pearl harbor arrived hawaii march departing days later invasion okinawa arrived march assigned task force day sea invasion okinawa ship placed task unit cover okinawa march afternoon following day bombarded japanese positions island japanese aircraft attacked ships early morning gunners shot aircraft later day ship resumed bombardment duties preparation amphibious invasion continued shell island march day retired ammunition ship returned okinawa later day cover underwater demolition teams cleared beach obstacles continued support demolition teams day targets ashore march bombarded sea wall create breach preparation landings invasion began april provided gunfire support landing troops southern beaches left firing line ammunition resumed bombardment following day april covering april night april shelled japanese defenders okinawa ship assigned join task group day bombard company battleships maryland arkansas japanese aircraft appeared forced cancellation mission shelled japanese shore batteries evening late april zero attempted attack fighter came break clouds port ship anti aircraft gunners immediately opened fire burst guns shot away zero tail plane away control dropped pound bomb fell approximately feet ship zero wing deck plane crashed sea men wounded attack ship remained undamaged following day steamed bay shell coastal battery shells japanese guns landed close ship hits scored battery days ship continued bombard japanese defenses island retired ammunition april continued provide gunfire support rest month april small caliber shell penetrated fuel oil tank feet waterline temporary repairs okinawa proved unsuccessful returned damage repaired april returned gun line ship damaged friendly fire inch round struck port aircraft catapult shell fragments hit shield director killing man injuring departed area rest refit returning okinawa june continued provide gunfire support troops okinawa july task unit august ship crew received word war japan awarded battle stars service world war post war assigned occupying force shortly end war departed okinawa september nagasaki arriving following day task group major warships reach japan escorted destroyer pair destroyer escorts hospital ship haven transferred september days returned nagasaki september returned shortly severe typhoon struck area october damaged storms crew inspected japanese ships harbor installations ensure japanese compliance terms surrender november assigned operation magic carpet american military personnel tokyo departing san_francisco ship reached san_francisco november went drydock mare island naval shipyard days later repairs modifications magic carpet duty completed december departed hawaii december reaching pearl harbor december proceeding ship loaded servicemen steamed san_francisco arriving january left port january bound east_coast united_states panama canal february reached philadelphia february assigned sixteenth fleet placed reserve july decommissioned february laid philadelphia late 1940s navy considered converting guided missile cruiser boston canberra chosen instead march ship stricken naval vessel register sold august union minerals


flight deck cruiser flight deck cruiser proposed type aircraft cruiser warships combining features aircraft carriers light cruisers designed united_states_navy period world war world war designs proposed type approved construction final design developed world war entry united_states war saw project come end background 1920s following signing washington naval treaty united_states_navy converted incomplete battlecruisers aircraft carriers uss lexington uss conversions proved extremely expensive designs sought provide aircraft carrying capability fleet reasonable cost uss ranger america purpose built aircraft carrier smaller economical design battlecruiser conversions ship sacrificed big gun scouting capability earlier ships attempt develop ship capable carrying aircraft engaging enemy scouting role flight deck cruiser concept developed following series studies proposing conversion cruisers construction carriers rejected addition providing economical method providing additional aircraft fleet flight deck cruiser seen additional advantage considered cruiser terms washington treaty aircraft carrier navy restricted number ships type built designs designs proposed ship carrying aircraft gun armament equivalent light cruiser design described brooklyn class light cruiser forwards half wasp class aircraft carrier aft utilized early version angled deck 1950s adopted use fleet carriers vessel feet length foot flight deck hangar aft aircraft forwards triple inch gun turrets mounted standard armament light cruiser time secondary dual purpose armament inch guns projected carried defense enemy torpedo boats aircraft design flight deck cruiser proposed featuring guns mounted forwards aft foot flight deck revival concept proposed triple turrets fore aft amidships flight deck december design larger flight deck cruiser displacing tons proposed fitted triple turret inch guns foot flight deck january design flight deck feet length triple guns main armament abandonment despite continued designs interest idea funding appropriated construction flight deck cruiser addition evaluation design naval war college determined ton ship small concept intended characteristics effectively realized ship ineffective battle design formally shelved provision concept future date entry united_states world war following bombing pearl harbor removed primary concept hybrid warship naval limitations treaties adequate funding available construction conventional ships result flight deck cruiser concept revisited similar ships flight deck cruisers built navy soviet_union class aircraft carrier developed 1970s remarkably similar original flight deck cruiser design featuring angled flight deck aft anti ship missile launchers forwards addition early 1980s plans proposed navy iowa class battleships entailed removal ship aft turret installation flight deck operating aircraft end modest conversion lacking flight deck carried


class monitor class monitors class ocean going ironclad monitors begun american_civil_war unfinished end war construction suspended november wood hulls building stocks ships finished monitors navy scrapped disposed decade later design description john chief bureau construction repair ordered benjamin naval new_york_city design wooden ironclad carry armament gun turrets deck feet waterline protected inches armor ship armor inches thick backed inches wood cover entire ship depth feet waterline carry coal steam week power sufficient speed good use ram secretary navy called enlarged versions class monitors greater speed adapted coast service meaning class ships feet inches long overall length perpendiculars feet inches beam feet inches draft feet inches ships designed displace long tons tons largest ships built navy shipyards date wooden hulls massively reinforced iron iron bear enormous weight armor guns retained typical monitor introduced john designer monitor upper hull inches wider lower hull wrought iron armor consisted layers inch plates backed inches wood feet height outer layer armor extended inches waterline inch deck armor rested inches wood covered inches wood powered cylinder horizontal direct acting steam engines driving foot propellers steam generated tubular boilers engines rated indicated horsepower designed reach speed knots mph bore inches stroke inches large funnels positioned turrets handle gases boilers intended carry long tons coal ships main armament consisted muzzle loading inch guns mounted twin gun turrets gun weighed approximately pounds fire pound shell range yards elevation turrets protected inches armor ships construction fate construction ships began late early built war ended early construction suspended november remained stocks ships renamed usually twice conform new ship naming conventions vice admiral david porter ordered rebuilt carry large broadside guns fitted iron masts ship rig happened wood hulls quickly began construction suspended broken beginning unusually condemned act congress august finally broken


uss alabama uss alabama illinois class pre dreadnought battleship built united_states_navy second ship class second carry keel laid december william sons shipyard launched commissioned fleet october ship armed main battery inch guns speed knots mph alabama spent seven years career north_atlantic fleet conducting peacetime training visit europe toured mediterranean took cruise great white fleet damage machinery forced leave cruise san_francisco instead completed shorter company battleship maine ship received extensive modernization training ship atlantic reserve fleet continued role world war war alabama stricken naval register allocated bombing tests conducted september sunk tests army air service bombers later sold scrap march description alabama feet long overall beam draft displaced long tons designed long tons load ship powered shaft triple expansion steam engines rated indicated horsepower coal fired fire tube boilers generating speed knots mph built fitted heavy military masts replaced cage masts crew officers enlisted men increased ship armed main battery caliber guns guns twin gun turrets centerline forward aft secondary battery consisted fourteen caliber mark guns placed casemates hull close range defense torpedo boats carried sixteen pounder guns mounted casemates hull pounder guns standard capital ships period alabama carried torpedo tubes deck mounted launchers alabama main armored belt thick magazines machinery spaces main battery gun turrets inch thick faces supporting barbettes armor plating exposed sides armor thick protected secondary battery conning tower thick sides service history alabama laid william sons shipyard philadelphia december launched commissioned october member class enter service ship commander captain alabama assigned north_atlantic squadron remained philadelphia december visit new_york remained january 27th alabama steamed south gulf_of_mexico joined rest north_atlantic squadron training exercises pensacola florida years followed pattern fleet training gulf_of_mexico caribbean winter followed repairs operations east_coast united_states middle year onward came battleships maine iowa protected cruisers baltimore cleveland visit southern europe trip stopped lisbon portugal touring mediterranean mid august atlantic stopping azores route arrived newport rhode_island august end september alabama went dry dock league island navy yard repairs completed early december july ship involved collision sister illinois alabama significant action cruise great white fleet world started naval review president roosevelt roads december fleet steamed roads cruised south caribbean south_america making stops port spain rio_de_janeiro arenas cities arriving mexico march fleet spent weeks conducting gunnery practice fleet resumed voyage pacific_coast americas stopping san_francisco alabama detached rest fleet ship fleet cracked cylinder head necessitated repairs mare island navy yard battleship maine left fleet boilers proved badly inefficient requiring excessive amounts coal june alabama maine began crossing pacific independently honolulu hawaii guam manila philippines cruised south singapore august crossed indian_ocean stopping ceylon arabian peninsula way ships steamed mediterranean stopping naples italy calling gibraltar proceeding atlantic early october stopped azores arriving east_coast united_states october ships parted company alabama steaming new_york maine went portsmouth new_hampshire ships arrived following day following arrival alabama reduced reserve status november remained new_york august decommissioned major overhaul lasted early alabama returned service april atlantic reserve fleet commander charles preston ships atlantic reserve fleet included battleships cruisers kept service reduced crews naval volunteers event emergency officers men atlantic reserve fleet fully man ships allowed sea rotating groups ensure ships good condition july alabama temporarily placed commission service atlantic fleet summer training exercises returning reserve status september navy began use atlantic reserve fleet train naval militia units alabama operated east_coast united_states training cruises bermuda summer train men naval militias states operations ended september october laid ship remained largely inactive philadelphia years january receiving ship naval recruits alabama transferred southern begin training recruits middle march shortly april united_states declared war germany days later alabama flagship 1st division atlantic fleet rest war continued training mission east_coast united_states period cruise gulf_of_mexico late june early july november germany signed armistice ended fighting europe alabama continued training naval recruits reduced level intensity took fleet maneuvers february march west_indies returning philadelphia april repairs summer training cruise naval academy followed alabama departed philadelphia bound arrived day taking contingent steamed june cruise went west_indies passed panama canal mid july ship cruising coast new_england returned south august maneuvers end month returned docking philadelphia bombing tests alabama decommissioned final time having spent previous months inactive philadelphia ship transferred war department use target ship september stricken naval register allocated bombing tests conducted army air service september supervision general billy mitchell addition alabama old battleships new_jersey virginia sunk tests phase testing began september included tests chemical bombs including tear gas white demonstrate weapons disable command control systems kill exposed personnel night test pound demolition bombs took place purpose determine sufficiently target precise bombing second phase took place morning larger operation 1st provisional air brigade took tests simulate combat scenario group royal aircraft factory armed bombs attacked bombs machine gun fire intended simulate clearing decks anti aircraft gunners preparation heavy bombers martin bombers attacked bombs altitude feet bombs hit deck bow followed armor piercing bombs hit september round tests took place seven attacked ship carried bombs carried bomb bombs landed close ship port mining effect caused considerable damage alabama began listing port bombers scored near misses bombs followed direct hit near misses bombs bomb weapon struck ship stern blast broke anchor chains battered ship began drift san indiana having sunk bombing tests earlier year ship remained afloat days finally sinking shallow water september mitchell attempted use sinking evidence bomber efforts secure independent air_force navy pointed ship stationary protected latest armor scheme sunken wreck sold scrap march


uss west gate uss west gate cargo ship united_states_navy world war ship laid war launched january west gate instead west gate steam powered west boats built united_states shipping board steel cargo ships built west_coast united_states world war war effort 3rd ship built columbia river company portland oregon commissioned naval overseas transportation service united_states_navy april experiencing engine trouble attempt crossing west gate unsuccessfully attacked german submarines early july returning port repairs successfully completing trip france began second trip early october early morning hours october west gate steering gear jammed american navy cargo ship collided west gate sinking seven men lost lives accident design construction ship laid columbia river company portland oregon war order british admiralty sold war operated line received title private projects progress included incomplete war ship renamed west gate time launching january west ships cargo ships similar size design built shipyards west_coast united_states emergency use world war west ships given names began word west west gate 3rd west ships built columbia river west gate gross register tons grt feet inch long perpendiculars feet steel hull displaced mean draft feet inch hold feet inches deep west gate power plant consisted single steam turbine driving single screw propeller moved ship knots career april completion west gate handed united_states_navy use naval overseas transportation service commissioned norfolk virginia uss west gate day lieutenant commander alexander watson command making way new_york west gate took tons cargo included locomotives steel rails united_states_army departed convoy france june ship soon developed engine trouble dropped convoy head john newfoundland repairs headed john moderate seas cloudy sky west gate attacked german submarines july boat surfaced cargo ship crossing starboard west gate quickly turned port evade boat second boat surfaced point starboard west gate radio operator sent gunners opened fire submarines gunners hits boat fire quickly submerged apparently departed scene west gate arrived john july contact enemy vessels days repairs west gate departed john france arrived estuary july shifted saint days later cargo west gate departed august newport news virginia arrived september later month headed new_york major engine repairs final voyage taking long tons army departed october convoy escorted cruiser denver night october noted dictionary american naval fighting ships particularly dark rainy ships having trouble maintaining stations convoy west gate sailing column starboard guide ship october nautical miles south halifax west gate steering gear engine jammed sending ship sharply port crew ship engines half speed try drop convoy lieutenant chief engineer assistant lieutenant headed machinery spaces repairs men bridge sighted red light oncoming american steaming port west gate bridge ordered engines raised speed ahead avoid collision time engines respond american bow cut starboard west gate near deck west gate engines shut american backed west gate quickly began settle order abandon ship issued chief engineer assistant remained long boilers open safety prevent explosion boilers finished task aft bulkhead gave way arrived deck time board number held long possible men ship chief gunner mate michael assisted lowering remained board jumped overboard seeing boats away pulled number wave capsized drowned occupants lieutenant commander west gate commanding officer remained board felt sure entire crew departed sinking ship climbed cut free life leave ship discovered men deck able life caused west gate final pulled away surface managed surface floating wreckage hours pulled aboard missed earlier men aboard rescued american hours water total seven men west gate probably killed initial collision lost lives accident navy awarded chief gunner mate letter actions sinking west gate


uss originally named uss river indiana uss single class monitor built union navy american_civil_war completed end war laid received new ship commissioned assigned north_atlantic squadron years receiving ship placed reserve militia duty spanish american war began recommissioned defend boston massachusetts spanish raiders ship decommissioned end war sold scrap description construction ship feet inches long overall beam feet inches maximum draft feet inches tons displaced long tons crew consisted officers enlisted men powered cylinder horizontal steam engine drove propeller steam generated horizontal fire tube boilers indicated horsepower engine gave ship speed knots mph carried long tons coal main armament consisted muzzle loading inch guns mounted single gun turret gun weighed approximately pounds fire pound shell range yards elevation exposed sides hull protected layers inch wrought iron plates backed wood armor gun turret pilot house consisted layers inch plates ship deck protected armor inches thick inch soft iron band fitted base turret prevent shells fragments turret happened older class monitors battle charleston harbor april base funnel ship protected height feet inches armor rifle screen inch armor feet high installed turret protected crew confederate based suggestion commander captain sister ship known modification ship completion addition hurricane deck turret funnel end civil war contract navy ship named indian tribe awarded miles ship laid september shipyard john cincinnati ohio launched december completed february ship construction delayed multiple changes ordered built reflected battle experience earlier monitors included rebuilding turrets pilot houses increase armor thickness inches inches replace bolts secured armor plates prevent knocked loose shock impact shells striking turret changes included deepening hull inches increase ship moving position turret balance ship trim replacing ship deck armor completion ship delayed low depth ohio river prevented movement cincinnati december finish fitting river finally rose march allowed ship reach new albany indiana march moved indiana late complete hull rudimentary facilities illness workers delayed construction monitor joined sisters ordinary opposite cairo illinois completed february drew water anchored main channel struck debris drifting ice vulnerable accidents anchor chain broken march struck barges ship collided ships dragged miles downstream brought control persistent problem navy finally decided ships new_orleans twice renamed june august service history monitor moved key west florida philadelphia navy yard thoroughly overhauled john sons chester pennsylvania commissioned time january command lieutenant thomas ship assigned north_atlantic squadron spent time exercises training cruises based roads virginia served station ship washington beginning placed reserve richmond virginia norfolk virginia transferred connecticut naval militia recommissioned local defense duties april spanish american war response political pressure commanded john ship sailed new haven connecticut guard boston remained september sailed philadelphia pennsylvania end war arrived september decommissioned september sold scrap january


uss uss destroyer lead ship class destroyers built united_states_navy prior american entry world war ship second navy vessel named honor john navy officer killed action aboard constitution war laid william sons philadelphia march launched november ship little length standard displacement long tons armed guns torpedo tubes powered pair steam turbines propelled mph failed contracted speed mph builder trials august eventually accepted navy commissioned january april sailors board died suffered explosion fire room commission repairs recommissioned joined atlantic fleet october destroyers sent rescue survivors victims german submarine united_states entered world war april conducted experiments january sent overseas conduct anti submarine patrols ireland plymouth december accompanied light cruiser chester inspection tour german baltic ports returning united_states end june placed reserve decommissioned philadelphia february july dropped known struck naval vessel register march ordered scrapped april design construction authorized march lead ship ship class identical class destroyers authorized time construction vessel like sister ships awarded william sons philadelphia laid keel november launched sponsor joseph wright wife assistant president shipyard ship second navy ship named john navy officer killed action aboard constitution war built destroyer length drew ship standard displacement long tons displaced long tons fully loaded steam turbines drove screw propellers additional pair triple expansion steam engines connected propeller shafts cruising purposes oil burning boilers powered engines generate shp hoped ship design speed mph builder trials conducted july failed reach speed withdrawn testing sister ship exceeded design speed august different propeller design washington_post reported propellers changed new design main battery consisted caliber mark guns gun weighing excess guns fired armor piercing projectiles elevation guns range equipped twin torpedo tubes pre world war commissioned navy january command lieutenant commander naval aide secretary navy daniels following short cruise cuba conducted operations north_carolina coast april april sister ships parker exercising north_carolina coast nautical miles diamond explosion ripped forward fire room injuring men loaded wounded sailors sped naval hospital norfolk virginia parker took remainder crew injured men died landfall virginia died short time later crews destroyers raised help funeral expenses widow men remained afloat towed norfolk parker navy arriving april according report washington_post port hours spare report described fore deck ship badly rent torn noted destroyer knocked alignment blast angle normal position newspaper speculated faulty metal boiler mud drum cause explosion repairs estimated roughly months placed commission remained inactive year norfolk navy yard recommissioned assigned 6th division torpedo flotilla atlantic fleet ship cruised east_coast carrying routine patrols prior entrance united_states world war served neutrality patrols trying protect american neutral merchant ships interference british german warships boats course duties newport rhode_island early october october wireless reports came german submarine stopping ships near eastern end long_island british steamer west_point received rear admiral albert ordered destroyers newport attend survivors american destroyers arrived scene boat command rose process stopping holland america line cargo ship shortly stopped british passenger ship rose ships sunk earlier day gave passengers crew aboard adequate time abandon ships sinking pair point rose signaled requesting way allow torpedoed later lord denounced compliance aiding germans speech house_of_lords total survivors victims rescued destroyer flotilla picked crew number passengers later transferring destroyer return newport early months sailed cuban waters winter maneuvers returned virginia area america entry world war world war june january destroyer participated special experimental work operating boston massachusetts newport rhode_island january sailed ireland shortly arrival began patrolling port shortly detached join british forces operating portsmouth devonport conducting patrols remained european waters following end war december sailed company light cruiser chester inspection tour baltic ports germany ships operating auspices inter allied naval armistice commission remove american prisoners war citizens discovered german ports postwar base operations destroyers european waters shifted brest france antwerp arriving ship relocated belgian port following month returned brest departed united_states arriving new_york june proceeded philadelphia navy yard placed reserve decommissioned philadelphia february july dropped free new destroyer known ship struck naval vessel register march april ordered scrapped accordance terms london naval treaty


uss west uss west cargo ship united_states_navy world war built west united_states shipping board west boats cargo ships built west_coast united_states sailed navy decommissioned armistice west selected test program addition coal units crushed coal mixed air injection boilers steamship cross atlantic_ocean depending solely coal test results showed sailed faster coal conversion west later abandoned scrapped design construction west ships cargo ships similar size design built shipyards west_coast united_states united_states shipping board emergency use world war given names began word west like west named river alaska west west ships built skinner seattle washington west skinner launched delivered united_states_navy completion later month west built total working days calendar days tied ships tenth place list fastest constructed ocean going vessels compiled skinner received bonus completing ship early ship gross register tons grt feet inches long perpendiculars feet west steel hull mean draft feet inches displaced ship single triple expansion steam engine powered coal fired boilers generated horsepower drove single screw propeller moved ship knot pace military career uss west commissioned naval overseas transportation service june lieutenant commander gibson command west took initial load tons flour departed pacific_northwest june panama canal reached new_york july august west joined convoy west bridge united_states_army cargo transport ships france escorted armed yacht destroyers smith french cruiser convoy nautical miles west destination sur end day august shortly torpedoes german submarine struck torpedo hit west bridge engine trouble west surviving ships convoy continued arrived sur august unloading cargo flour returning united_states west sailed october convoy west cargo november days armistice december sailing new_york date west arrived january january returned civilian career little known west subsequent civilian career early february year west ownership selected addition coal fired boilers testing purposes coal coal cheaper inferior grades normally unsuitable marine use grind coal dust dust mixed air automatically injected boilers need hand feeding west entered brooklyn shipyard undergo conversion late february completion conversion work west taken trials passes nautical mile course june representatives navy department united_states_coast_guard line board guests ship cruised average knots knots faster steamed returning guests new_york west sailed baltimore maryland operation line sailed cardiff ship depending coal cross atlantic baltimore august early results showed addition making crossings faster west coal voyage west continued test platform assessing coal system voyage glasgow second line information west career coal tests available known abandoned scrapped fourth quarter


uss west uss west cargo ship united_states_navy world war later known west civilian service american registry empire british registry west launched united_states shipping board june west ships series steel cargo ships built west_coast united_states world war war effort point west distinction ninth fastest built ocean going ship world pressed cargo service navy uss west commissioned naval overseas transportation service completed round trip europe navy mid briefly cargo service baltimore new_york laid norfolk virginia west reactivated cargo service los_angeles early sailing new_york called ports liverpool hamburg sold brothers steamship company operated subsidiary shipping lines mid-1930s late sold british interests help fill united_kingdom urgent need merchant ships sailing west ship renamed empire sailed convoys making round trips march december westbound leg beginning fourth round trip convoy torpedoed sunk german submarine january men died attack survivors rescued american destroyer uss landed bermuda design construction west ships cargo ships similar size design built shipyards west_coast united_states united_states shipping board emergency use world war given names began word west like west west ships built skinner seattle washington west skinner laid april launched june time working days calendar days keel laying launch west completed july working days keel laying list fastest constructed ocean going ships compiled edward wartime chairman west listed ninth fastest constructed ship world west fourth ship built contract called skinner deliver ships cost cost extras construction added skinner received bonus west early completion brought total cost ship west gross register tons grt feet inches long perpendiculars feet inches west steel hull ship single steam turbine drove single screw propeller moved ship knot pace world war july completion west handed united_states_navy use naval overseas transportation service assigned identification number commissioned seattle uss west day lieutenant commander richard united_states naval reserve forces command west sailed port california took load wheat flour sailed new_york panama canal july reaching new_york august west joined france bound convoy departing september west arrived brest france september discharged cargo headed new_york september took load freight italian government set genoa early november west route italy armistice ended fighting signed november completing trip cargo run genoa sailing new_york late january returning april days later west decommissioned returned interwar career west activities immediately return united_states shipping board april known mid june washington_post reported west ships allocated sail baltimore beginning later month early march new_york_times reported west arrival new_york liverpool april june reported west departure arrival hamburg laid reserve fleet norfolk virginia time mid west ships reactivated service los_angeles early early west sailing galveston texas liverpool carrying passengers addition freight december west master chief engineer received bonus conservation committee merchant fleet corporation west named honor roll efficient operation honored december west anchored river_thames kent united_kingdom struck british cargo ship sustained damage port bow west sold brothers steamship company home ported houston texas west sailed line subsidiary operation sailing galveston liverpool december west begun sailing subsidiary brothers steamship company continued sailing galveston liverpool route september west activities years recorded world war november united_states neutral united_states maritime commission successor granted brothers permission sell west cargo ships british ministry war transport west took load steel scrap ship sailed halifax joined convoy sailing liverpool december december ship compass went west able remain station convoy safely arrived liverpool january despite sailing gale storms january notes convoy parker convoy commodore singled master west praise keeping west convoy working compass arrival liverpool west renamed empire ships taking empire joined westbound convoy sailing united_states march convoy dispersed days later seven ships sunk german submarines empire safely docked baltimore march sailing roads virginia april halifax april empire scheduled sail april apparently arrive time instead sailed convoy departed halifax days later convoy attacked boats april ships hit ahead empire starboard ship sunk empire successfully delivered cargo pig iron making way atlantic independently empire arrived norfolk virginia june making intermediate stops baltimore roads sailed halifax load scrap iron july reaching destination days later departed convoy july arrived belfast august newport august arriving haven august sailed days later convoy halifax arrived september empire sailed montreal halifax october departed halifax day convoy unspecified problems caused drop john newfoundland october aborted attempts sail east convoys empire finally reached november convoy november empire trip hull december sailed days later departed liverpool january convoy empire convoy dispersed january left sail baltimore independently january empire struck torpedo launched german submarine command empire went position crewmen naval gunner killed attack sinking american destroyer dispatched bermuda pick master crewmen gunners landed bermuda


uss arkansas uss arkansas dreadnought battleship second member wyoming class built united_states_navy ship navy named honor 25th state built new_york corporation laid january launched january commissioned navy september arkansas armed main battery inch guns capable speed mph arkansas served world wars world war battleship division attached british grand_fleet saw action war interwar years arkansas performed variety duties including training cruises goodwill visits overseas following outbreak world war arkansas conducted neutrality patrols atlantic prior america entry war escorted convoys europe june supported invasion normandy august provided gunfire support invasion southern france transferred pacific bombarded japanese positions invasions okinawa end war ferried troops united_states operation magic carpet arkansas expended target operation crossroads pair nuclear weapon tests bikini july construction arkansas laid january new_york new_jersey launched january fitting work effected ship completed september commissioned navy september philadelphia navy yard command captain roy smith ship long overall beam draft displaced long tons designed long tons combat load ship powered shaft parsons steam turbines coal fired boilers rated shp generating speed mph ship cruising range nmi speed mph ship armed main battery inch caliber mark guns guns twin mark gun turrets centerline placed superfiring pair forward turrets placed aft superstructure superfiring pairs secondary battery consisted inch caliber guns mounted casemates hull main armored belt thick gun turrets thick faces conning tower thick sides modifications arkansas modernized philadelphia navy yard displacement increased significantly long tons standard long tons load beam widened primarily installation anti torpedo draft increased coal fired boilers replaced white oil fired boilers intended ships cancelled terms washington naval treaty performance remained older boilers ship deck armor strengthened addition armor second deck end barbettes plus armor deck bow stern deck armor engines boilers increased respectively inch guns removed inch caliber anti aircraft guns installed mainmast removed provide space aircraft catapult mounted number turret amidships service history following commissioning arkansas participated fleet review october president william howard ship took aboard day trip panama inspect panama canal construction arkansas began cruise delivering entourage canal zone december returned canal zone key west florida completing voyage arkansas assigned atlantic fleet participated fleet maneuvers east_coast united_states arkansas overseas cruise mediterranean_sea began late october stopped ports including naples italy november ship celebrated birthday king victor iii italy early international incident mexico culminated american occupation veracruz arkansas participated occupation contributing companies naval infantry amounted officers enlisted men american forces fought way city secured arkansas crewmen killed fighting john received medal honor actions occupation ship detachment returned april arkansas remained mexican waters departed september return united_states stationed veracruz ship visited captain von german military united_states mexico rear admiral christopher commander british 4th cruiser squadron respectively arkansas arrived roads virginia october took exercises week sailed new_york navy yard periodic maintenance repairs completed ship steamed virginia area training maneuvers returned new_york navy yard december additional maintenance repairs completed month january arkansas departed virginia exercises january ship steamed bay cuba exercises fleet arkansas returned training roads april followed maintenance period new_york navy yard starting april june repairs complete arkansas departed newport rhode_island torpedo practice tactical maneuvers bay lasted late august august ship roads participated exercises norfolk october returned newport took strategic maneuvers october went new_york navy yard october extensive maintenance work completed november arkansas returned roads ship brooklyn repairs november lasted january steamed south caribbean_sea roads winter exercises steamed mobile bay march torpedo practice returning bay returned new_york navy yard april overhaul world war united_states declared war germany april joining allied powers world war arkansas time assigned battleship division stationed virginia ship patrolled east_coast trained gun crews fourteen months ship sent britain july relieve delaware assigned operate grand_fleet 6th battle squadron december arkansas departed united_states july approaching royal_navy base battleship fired thought german boat destroyers escorting arkansas dropped depth charges hit alleged submarine arkansas arrived july joined rest battleship division stationed remainder conflict battleship division operated 6th battle squadron grand_fleet november armistice germany ended world war went effect terms armistice required germany intern bulk high_seas_fleet scapa_flow supervision grand_fleet arkansas american warships participated combined fleet british american french warships met high_seas_fleet north_sea november escorted scapa_flow december battleship division detached grand_fleet arkansas departed forth isle portland went sea meet ocean liner george_washington carrying president wilson europe arkansas american naval forces europe escorted ship brest france december completing escort arkansas sailed new_york_city arriving december fleet participated naval review secretary navy daniels inter war period peacetime training arkansas consisted individual training annual fleet maneuver periodic maintenance drydock participated gunnery engineering competitions returning united_states arkansas went drydock norfolk navy yard extensive overhaul rejoined fleet conduct training exercises cuba crossed atlantic bound europe reached plymouth took weather observations later served reference vessel guide navy flying boats flying bay newfoundland europe completing task steamed brest june picked admiral william chief naval operations wife arkansas carried new_york finished peace conference paris arriving june july arkansas departed roads join new assignment pacific fleet bound san_francisco arrived september panama canal embarked secretary daniels took daniels wife harbor washington september following day participated naval review president wilson september arkansas entered sound navy yard general overhaul returned fleet training operations california navy adopted hull classification system july assigned arkansas designation steamed hawaii september time went islands early arkansas visited chile received president ship crew manned rail honor chilean president august arkansas returned atlantic fleet flagship commander battleship force atlantic fleet 1920s arkansas carried united_states naval academy summer cruises went tour europe july stopped copenhagen visited king christian denmark stopped lisbon gibraltar cruise europe followed cruise year went west_coast united_states june stopped santa barbara california assist aftermath santa barbara earthquake arkansas destroyer patrol craft sent detachments ashore help police santa barbara established temporary radio station city returning cruise ship modernized philadelphia navy yard old coal fired boilers replaced oil fired models single larger funnel deck armor added protect fire short mast installed place aft cage mast modernization completed november arkansas conducted cruise atlantic returned philadelphia ran acceptance trials rejoin fleet september arkansas present ceremonies unveiling memorial tablet honoring french soldiers sailors died campaign returned training cruises took crew atlantic east_coast trip cuba june participated join army navy coast defense exercise hostile attacking fleet early arkansas cruised caribbean near canal zone returned united_states overhaul new_york navy yard emerging drydock conducted training cruise time european waters spent time mediterranean visited britain arkansas returned united_states august operated scouting fleet east_coast training cruise went europe called france kiel germany oslo norway edinburgh scotland cruise continued end year battleship visited copenhagen scotland gibraltar spain september ship crossed atlantic stopped halifax nova_scotia february arkansas participated fleet problem maneuvers served admiral arthur flagship sunk submarine month later march arkansas conducted exercises carriers lexington arkansas participated celebrations october marking anniversary siege embarked president entourage october took exposition returned october went drydock extensive refit philadelphia navy yard lasted january time command george arkansas transferred pacific fleet completing refit route stopped new_orleans participate celebration operated west_coast early point transferred atlantic fleet served flagship training squadron conducted training cruise europe summer stopped plymouth england nice france naples italy gibraltar returned august steamed newport newport president franklin roosevelt reviewed battleship yacht arkansas entered competition british cruiser hms dragon cup city newport cup arkansas cutter won races ship carried 1st battalion 5th marines fleet landing exercise january returned training cruise duties june took europe stops edinburgh oslo copenhagen gibraltar island disembarked naval academy crew august began training cruise halifax time naval following month refit conducted october completing cruise arkansas participated january visited new_orleans went norfolk major overhaul lasted spring completing overhaul ship took crew european waters called ports portsmouth england sweden returned august previous year conducted reserve training cruise went drydock overhaul norfolk remainder 1930s followed similar pattern training cruise went europe cruises remained western atlantic world war outbreak world war september arkansas moored roads preparing depart training cruise naval reserve departed transport seaplane aviation equipment norfolk bay navy planned set seaplane base newport arkansas picked ordnance destroyers brought roads returning virginia arkansas assigned reserve force neutrality patrols atlantic sister wyoming battleships new_york texas carrier ranger january arkansas new_york texas left fleet maneuvers cuba underwent overhaul norfolk march emerging refit arkansas conducted training cruise texas new_york panama venezuela late conducted naval reserve training cruises atlantic months followed united_states gradually edged war atlantic ship assigned escort force marines deployed occupy iceland july new_york cruisers destroyers task force deployed newfoundland july port 19th starting august arkansas went neutrality patrol mid-atlantic lasted week returning port arkansas traveled atlantic charter conference president roosevelt british prime minister winston_churchill took place onboard hms prince wales secretary state stayed aboard arkansas conducted neutrality patrol september arkansas anchored bay maine december japan attacked pearl harbor brought united_states war week later steamed iceland returned boston january conducted training maneuvers bay prepare crew convoy escort duties march arrived norfolk begin overhaul secondary battery reduced inch guns anti aircraft guns quadruple mounts guns added experience pearl harbor having navy aware need increased light armament inch caliber gun armament increased guns work lasted july time arkansas conducted cruise chesapeake_bay proceeded new_york arriving july flagship task force escort convoy transports bound scotland convoy arrived august arkansas returned new_york september arkansas escorted convoy scotland returning new_york october convoys sent north_africa support invasion north_africa arkansas covered convoy destroyers november returned new_york december went dock overhaul january arkansas departed new_york conduct gunnery training chesapeake_bay new_york january ship crew prepared return convoy escort duty escorted convoys february april returning new_york period dry dock lasted arkansas returned duty training ship based norfolk resumed convoy escort duties months october steamed northern_ireland remained ireland november departed december bound new_york arriving 12th arkansas went dock repairs returned norfolk december ship escorted convoy bound ireland january returning new_york february round gunnery drills followed march arkansas went boston dry dock period april arkansas departed ireland trained shore bombardment duties assigned shore bombardment force support operation overlord invasion northern france assigned group texas destroyers float plane artillery observer pilots temporarily assigned flying lee hms june left morning 6th took position beach battleship guns fired anger time career bombarded german positions beach june moved support ground forces les june arkansas bombarded support american attack port german coastal guns times scored hits fell allies day arkansas returned port england wales june july arkansas departed ireland mediterranean_sea reached algeria july proceeding taranto arriving july joined support force operation invasion southern france battleship provided gunfire support amphibious invasion allied cruisers starting august bombardment lasted days withdrew arkansas returned united_states arriving boston september underwent refit lasted early november steamed california panama canal spent rest year conducting training maneuvers january arkansas departed california pearl harbor proceeded join fleet preparation amphibious assault assigned task force included battleships cruisers sixteen destroyers february arkansas position opened fire japanese positions island west_coast bombardment lasted 19th remained island battle ready provide fire support american marines ashore departed march bound arrived march rearmed preparation major operation pacific war invasion okinawa departed march arrived okinawa days later began bombardment rest task force soldiers marines went ashore april arkansas continued provide gunfire support course days battle okinawa repeatedly attacked ship struck left island arriving guam 14th proceeded gulf june arriving days later assigned task group texas cruisers remained philippines august departed okinawa arriving bay 23rd time japan surrendered ending world war course war arkansas earned battle stars post war end war arkansas operation magic carpet american servicemen pacific took men united_states departing september reaching seattle washington october magic carpet trips pearl harbor continental united_states ferry soldiers home months arkansas lay san_francisco late april ship got underway hawaii reached pearl harbor departed pearl harbor bound bikini use target atomic bomb testing operation crossroads july arkansas exposed air burst able survived extensive shock damage hull armored turrets lightly damaged july battleship sunk underwater nuclear test baker bikini air shock transmitted directly underwater hulls arkansas yards appeared crushed tremendous hammer blow appears wave water blast capsized ship shallow descent water column thrown blast decommissioned july arkansas struck naval vessel register august ship lies inverted feet water bikini pictures wreck national_park_service website awards mexican service medal victory medal atlantic fleet grand_fleet american defense service medal fleet device american campaign medal european african middle eastern campaign medal battle stars pacific campaign medal battle stars world war victory medal navy occupation medal asia


uss uss single class monitor built union navy american_civil_war vessel assigned james river flotilla north_atlantic blockading squadron completion april ship spent time stationed james river support operations richmond defend sortie confederate ironclads james river squadron engaged confederate artillery batteries year later participated attacks fort fisher defending approaches wilmington north_carolina december january returned james river capture fort fisher remained richmond virginia occupied early april days later monitor transferred washington temporarily suspected conspirators assassination president lincoln decommissioned june recommissioned early service caribbean coast florida recommissioned late generally remained active late condemned sold scrap description construction ship feet long overall beam feet inches maximum draft feet inches tons displaced long tons crew consisted officers enlisted men powered cylinder horizontal steam engine drove propeller steam generated horizontal fire tube boilers indicated horsepower engine gave ship speed knots mph carried long tons coal main armament consisted muzzle loading inch guns mounted single gun turret gun weighed approximately pounds fire pound shell range yards elevation exposed sides hull protected layers inch wrought iron plates backed wood armor gun turret pilot house consisted layers inch plates ship deck protected armor inches thick inch soft iron band fitted base turret prevent shells fragments turret happened earlier monitors battle charleston harbor april base funnel ship protected height feet inches armor rifle screen inch armor feet high installed turret protect crew confederate based suggestion commander captain sister ship contract navy ship named town massachusetts awarded ship laid wilmington delaware shipyard launched december commissioned april commander command ship construction delayed multiple changes ordered built reflected battle experience earlier monitors included rebuilding turrets pilot houses increase armor thickness inches inches replace bolts secured armor plates prevent knocked loose shock impact shells striking turret changes included deepening hull inches increase ship moving position turret balance ship trim replacing ship deck armor far known ship modified completion service assigned james river flotilla arrived fort monroe ship deployed sisters james river protected transports major general benjamin butler army james supplying army operated south bank river bermuda campaign june commander spotted line building farm ship opened fire workers replied battery guns near joined bombardment half hour later confederate ships near dutch gap joined fire ineffective firing union monitors engagement fired thirty inch shells hit confederate shell struck deck turret wounded killed engagement days later wheel engaged battery deep creek pair ships engaged battery mile creek june july repair norfolk navy yard early september received orders proceed port royal south_carolina await admiral david prospective commander north_atlantic blockading squadron anticipation attack fort fisher deployment cancelled september poor health caused decline appointment ship returned james resumed supporting union_army engagement battery december hit twice shots inch rifle disabled turret temporarily cracked armor plate broke number inch bolts monitor ran aground december refloated following day repaired norfolk towed departed december arrived fort fisher christmas eve day joined bombardment confederate fortifications range yards reported saw confederate gun ship shells fired shells day butler ordered men embarked transports december monitor towed south_carolina city towed wheel alabama arrived fort fisher january sisters double monitor armored frigate new bombarded fort days captured union troops despite guns january wounded ship fired shells battle hit times cracking armor plates turret addition breaking bolts badly damaged nonetheless monitor ordered return norfolk repairs january towed rhode_island january ship route washington navy yard repairs confederate james river squadron attempted slip trent reach attack union transports repulsed reached city point days later remained james month contributed boats clearing river torpedoes confederate ships scuttled night april richmond occupied april ship command lieutenant day ordered report washington navy yard assassination president abraham_lincoln april suspected conspirators incarcerated aboard monitor april transferred ships arsenal post war operations decommissioned laid washington june recommissioned april monitor steamed cuba investigate reports citizens revolt patrolled florida coast laid key west florida day time ship renamed june resumed original august towed philadelphia pennsylvania repairs recommissioned november based key west transferred port royal south_carolina period ship commission march october returned washington decommissioned october condemned sold scrap


uss maine uss maine lead ship class pre dreadnought battleships second ship united_states_navy named honor 23rd state maine laid february william sons shipyard philadelphia launched july commissioned fleet december armed main battery inch guns steam speed knots mph maine served atlantic entirety career north_atlantic fleet later atlantic fleet early years service fleet flagship replaced later year joined cruise great white fleet heavy coal consumption prevented continuing fleet past san_francisco returning served 3rd squadron flagship america participation world war april november maine training ship remained active service decommissioned ship ultimately sold scrap january broken scrap terms washington naval treaty signed year description maine feet inches long overall beam draft displaced long tons designed long tons load ship powered shaft triple expansion steam engines rated indicated horsepower coal fired boilers generating speed knots mph built fitted heavy military masts quickly replaced cage masts crew officers enlisted men increased ship armed main battery inch caliber guns twin gun turrets centerline forward aft secondary battery consisted sixteen inch mark guns placed casemates hull close range defense torpedo boats carried inch guns mounted casemates hull pounder guns pounder guns standard capital ships period maine carried inch torpedo tubes submerged hull broadside maine main armored belt inches thick magazines machinery spaces inches main battery gun turrets inch thick faces supporting barbettes thickness armor plating exposed sides armor thick protected secondary battery conning tower inch thick sides service history maine built william sons shipyard philadelphia keel laid february ship launched july commissioned fleet december maine operated north_atlantic fleet starting years took peacetime training exercises atlantic caribbean period steamed mediterranean served flagship rear admiral evans april evans transferred flag newly commissioned battleship connecticut maine significant action cruise great white fleet world started naval review president roosevelt roads december fleet steamed roads cruised south caribbean south_america making stops port spain rio_de_janeiro arenas cities arriving mexico march fleet spent weeks conducting gunnery practice fleet resumed voyage pacific_coast americas stopping san_francisco maine detached rest fleet ship boilers proved badly inefficient requiring excessive amounts coal fleet battleship alabama left fleet owing cracked cylinder head maine alabama crossed pacific independently guam philippines steaming indian_ocean suez_canal cruised mediterranean crossed atlantic arrived east_coast united_states october ahead rest great white fleet following arrival maine assigned flagship 3rd squadron atlantic fleet operated east_coast months february maine new battleships new_hampshire mississippi idaho armored cruisers scout cruisers organized meet returning great white fleet maine rest squadron command rear admiral conway arnold steamed atlantic great white fleet february combined fleet arrived roads 22nd large naval review held president roosevelt celebrate journey august ship temporarily decommissioned portsmouth new_hampshire returned service june duty atlantic fleet april united_states declared war germany entering world war war maine employed training ship engine room personnel armed guards merchant ships naval academy november germany signed armistice ended conflict maine participated naval review held new_york december celebrate allied victory time battleships atlantic fleet transports ferry american soldiers france maine sisters employed owing short range small size permit sufficient additional accommodations maine instead remained east_coast atlantic fleet decommissioned philadelphia navy yard reclassified july kept laid year half sold january philadelphia broken scrap december disarmed accordance washington naval treaty mandated significant reductions naval strength maine scrapped


uss uss single class monitor built union navy american_civil_war completion ship patrolled mississippi_river confederate raids rear admiral david porter mississippi squadron participated red river campaign march supported capture fort march participated battle blair landing april ship grounded months end campaign badly damaged refloated repaired transferred west gulf blockading squadron early campaign mobile alabama battle spanish fort march struck rapidly sank ship later salvaged sold design description steam powered gun turret bow funnel later added turret funnel positioned rear forward face ship feet long overall beam feet launched proved draft foot deeper planned measured tons steam boilers cylinder western type engine drove ship maximum speed miles hour service carried long tons coal crew numbered officers enlisted men main armament consisted inch guns mounted single turret arc fire firing guns tended jam turret modifications guns system gun weighed approximately pounds fire pound shell range yards elevation turret protected inches wrought iron hull inches armor armor plates deck housing inches thick service named american indian tribe laid launched january james union iron works missouri commissioned cairo illinois july acting volunteer lieutenant joseph command completion ship assigned rear admiral david porter mississippi squadron patrolled mississippi_river confederate raids red river campaign commanded lieutenant commander thomas supported union_army captured fort captured alexandria louisiana march firing shot successfully defended navy transports attacked battle blair landing april driving confederate forces heavy losses having run aground freed end campaign assigned patrol mississippi_river month grounded near arkansas refloated rapidly falling water level armor removed water began ends middle supported sand caused longitudinal bulkheads split broke hull deck repaired place refloated end november towed mound city permanent repairs transferred west gulf blockading squadron february attack mobile alabama participated battle spanish fort defending mobile east struck previously swept channel sank rapidly march crewmen killed wounded ship later refloated sold auction new_orleans november confederate ships


virginia class battleship virginia class pre dreadnought battleships built united_states_navy early 1900s class comprised ships virginia nebraska georgia new_jersey rhode_island ships carried mixed caliber offensive battery inch inch guns mounted uncommon arrangement inch guns placed atop inch turrets arrangement proved failure inch guns fired independently inch guns interfering additionally time entered service big gun battleships including british hms dreadnought nearing completion render mixed battery ships like virginia class ships active careers ships took cruise great white fleet onward served atlantic fleet conducting training exercises showing flag europe central_america unrest broke central american countries 1910s ships involved police actions region significant american intervention mexican revolution occupation veracruz april american participation world war virginia class ships train sailors expanding wartime fleet september began escort convoys europe germany surrendered months later ending conflict war bring american soldiers france later training ships washington naval treaty mandated major reductions naval weapons cut ships careers short virginia new_jersey sunk bombing tests ships broken scrap later year design united_states victory spanish american war dramatic impact battleship design question role fleet focused coastal defense high seas operations solved fleet ability conduct offensive operations overseas showed necessity powerful fleet battleships result congress willing authorize larger ships authorized march new ships authorized june displacement ships proposed long tons significant increase previous designs initial design work began memorandum issued july called battleship based maine class armed inch guns sixteen guns guns protected belt krupp armor capable steaming knots mph arguments projected displacement armament prevented work october captain charles argued mixed battery guns turrets chief bureau construction repair preferred long ton design armed uniformly guns instead mixed battery decision adopt mixed battery gun penetrate medium armor foreign battleships protected secondary batteries captain royal chief bureau equipment suggested knots sufficient demanded knots mph compromise found requiring minimum knots mph produced variants arranged guns twin turrets amidships indiana class placed turrets atop turrets class design included sixteen guns casemates board construction initially favored officer board rejected design strongly secretary navy ordered second larger board formed examine designs line officers added board group favored turrets members rear admiral albert baker suggested build ships board initially approved idea chief bureau ordnance rejected favor design secretary navy convened board settle matter members voted finalized design approved february turrets ultimately proved problematic arrangement conceived initially save weight allow faster firing guns shoot long time necessary large caliber guns time entered service rapid firing large caliber guns reduced time shots seconds guns longer fire maximum rate interfering guns concussion hot disrupt crew addition british hms dreadnought big gun battleship enter service commissioned late shortly rendered single stroke general characteristics machinery ships virginia class feet long waterline feet inches long overall beam draft displaced long tons designed long tons load ships high metacentric height unstable moderate seas steering controlled single rudder built ships fitted pair heavy military masts fighting tops replaced cage masts crew officers enlisted men ship powered shaft triple expansion steam engines rated indicated horsepower steam provided coal fired water tube boilers virginia georgia equipped boilers ships received boilers funnels amidships engines generated speed knots mph virginia georgia boilers replaced boilers ships carried long tons coal allowed steam designed cruising radius nautical miles speed knots mph service actually steam nmi ships equipped electricity generators combined output kilowatts armament ships armed main battery inch caliber guns twin gun turrets centerline forward aft guns fired pound shell muzzle velocity feet second turrets mark mounts allowed angles elevation mounts elevate degrees degrees gun supplied shells secondary battery consisted inch guns inch guns inch guns mounted twin turrets atop main battery turrets turrets abreast forward funnel inch guns mark type fired shells muzzle velocity supplied shells gun inch guns placed casemates hull inch mark guns fired shell close range defense torpedo boats carried inch guns mounted casemates hull pounder guns standard capital ships period virginia class carried torpedo tubes submerged hull broadside initially equipped mark bliss design quickly replaced mark designed mark carried pounds range yards speed knots mph armor virginia main armored belt thick magazines machinery spaces extended feet waterline feet main battery gun turrets secondary turrets inch thick faces thick roofs main battery turrets sides thick turrets reduced protection sides armor plating supporting barbettes armor plating waist turrets thick faces thick sides thick roofs inch thick armor plating protected guns conning tower thick sides thick roof ships decks ranged thickness inches sloped sides connect lower edge main belt construction service history ships class served atlantic fleet majority careers virginia georgia new_jersey took exposition commemorate anniversary founding colony ships took cruise great white fleet nebraska built west_coast united_states joined fleet reached california fleet left roads december steamed south south_america north west_coast ships crossed pacific stopped australia philippines japan continuing indian_ocean suez_canal toured mediterranean crossing atlantic arriving bank roads february naval review president roosevelt ships began peacetime training routine east_coast united_states caribbean including gunnery training virginia training cruises atlantic winter exercises cuban waters late virginia georgia rhode_island visited french british ports careers political unrest central american countries prompted united_states send ships protect american interests region new_jersey sent cuba assist cuban support government president ships involved mexican revolution united_states intervened protect nationals living country culminating occupation veracruz april new_jersey sent protect american interests haiti dominican unrest july world war broke europe united_states remained neutral years war tensions germany came head early following german submarine warfare campaign sank american merchant ships european waters april united_states declared war germany virginia class ships initially training gunners engine room personnel necessary rapidly expanding wartime fleet starting september ships began escorts convoys bringing soldiers france duty cut short armistice germany signed november war ferry american soldiers france ships thoroughly obsolete time briefly retained post war period decommissioned nebraska georgia rhode_island transferred pacific fleet serving flagship 1st squadron service terms washington naval treaty signed discarded naval armament limitation program virginia new_jersey sunk target ships cape_hatteras army bombers supervision billy mitchell september ships sold ship breakers november year


lexington class aircraft carrier lexington class aircraft carriers pair aircraft carriers built united_states_navy 1920s ships built hulls originally laid battlecruisers world war washington naval treaty battleship battlecruiser construction cancelled treaty allowed unfinished ships converted carriers operational aircraft carriers develop carrier aviation tactics procedures world war series annual exercises proved extremely successful carriers experience lexington class convinced navy value large carriers largest aircraft carriers midway class aircraft carriers completed beginning ships served world war seeing action battles lexington sunk carrier battle history battle coral sea served war despite torpedoed twice notably participating battle eastern aircraft sank japanese light carrier supported allied operations indian_ocean south west pacific areas training ship end returned combat protect american forces battle early badly damaged continued growth size weight carrier aircraft obsolete end war ship sunk nuclear weapon tests operation crossroads development lexington class originally designed battlecruisers heavy guns high speed moderate armor protection navy laid ships class battlecruisers cancelled washington naval treaty unfinished ships designated completion carriers lexington selected advanced ships construction conversion series mixed arisen specifically designed carriers outset plus ships better anti torpedo protection larger magazines aircraft bombs elevator feet higher room aircraft landings minus converted battlecruiser knots mph slower specifically designed carrier percent hangar space emergency fuel narrower lines aft wide runway aim costs similar brand new aircraft carrier estimated million conversion lexington class million counting million sunk added figure rose million line signing treaty capital ships construction signatories united_states great_britain france italy japan canceled scrapped battlecruisers encompassed united_states lexington class japan class great_britain battlecruisers navy choice clear scrapped accordance treaty throw away million aircraft carriers navy opted course challenge navy bureau construction repair faced cap set treaty carriers tons exception spearheaded assistant secretary navy roosevelt added treaty allowed capital ships conversion tons increase tons conversion removing half power plant navy general board consider option creative interpreting clause treaty allowed potential way situation clause chapter iii section read retained capital ships aircraft carriers shall reconstructed purpose providing means defense air submarine attack subject following rules contracting powers purpose equip existing anti air attack deck protection providing increase displacement effected exceed tons metric tons displacement ship clause conversion feasible estimates estimates ships lexington actual tons official lists number given tons number include weight sec art washington treaty providing means air submarine attack ships entire careers design description general description ships overall length feet beam feet draft feet inches deep load standard displacement long tons long tons deep load innovative features relatively new kind bow called bow taylor bow named inventor rear admiral david taylor served chief navy bureau construction repair world war result series tests begun bow reduced water resistance average percent high speeds supported forecastle reduced bending stress hull disadvantage formation heavy layer water forward hull higher speeds reduced degree careful design area flight deck arrangements ships given foot teak flight deck hangar clear height feet encompassed square feet largest enclosed space afloat civilian military built hangar feet long width varied feet constrained funnel boat compartments height hangar exceeded american aircraft carrier class ships appeared mid-1950s aircraft repair shops foot long aft hangar storage space aircraft feet long hangar divided single fire curtain forward aft aircraft elevator carriers fitted powered elevators centerline forward elevator foot capacity pounds foot section flight deck adjoining rear edge elevator split centerline lift aircraft long carrying pounds moved speed feet second aft elevator measured foot lift pounds munitions delivered magazines powered bomb lifts torpedo lift folding crane capacity long tons positioned flight deck forward gun turrets aviation gasoline stored compartments torpedo protection system capacity quoted gallons imp gal gallons imp gal powered aircraft catapult feet long fitted bow launch pound aircraft speed knots mph removed unnecessary lexington class ships designed carry aircraft types including bombers numbers increased navy adopted practice tying spare aircraft unused spaces hangar air group consisted boeing fighters plus additional reserve offensive punch provided dive bombers spare aircraft great lakes torpedo bombers miscellaneous aircraft included duck amphibians plus reserve active spare observation aircraft amounted aircraft plus early december lexington marine_corps dive bombers midway time embarked aircraft including buffalo fighters wake island relief expedition later month air group consisted fighters douglas dive bombers douglas torpedo bombers ship carried marine_corps delivery wake battle eastern air group consisted aircraft comprising torpedo bombers early ship carried fighters propulsion turbo electric propulsion chosen battlecruisers american companies struggled produce large geared turbines necessary big ships retained converted aircraft carriers advantage turbo electric drive flexible electric cables steam lines allowed motors mounted stern ship reduced vibration weight shortening propeller shafts ability astern power needing separate reverse turbine simply reversing electrical motors benefits ability operate propellers turbo generators failed possibility operating generators low speed suitably higher loading greater efficiency turbo electric drive efficient rugged reliable heavy intricate easy maintain tuned machinery required special ventilation measures dissipate heat salt air elaborate measures protection moisture flooding battle damage causes remained problematic posed danger high voltage crew damaged propeller feet inches diameter propeller shafts powered shaft horsepower electric motors acting tandem motors times size earlier electric motor general_electric turbo generators powered propeller shaft rated kilowatts volts direct current produced sixteen water tube boilers individual compartment provided steam generators working pressure psi kpa cm2 temperature turbo electric machinery lexington class ships designed produce total shaft horsepower propel ships knots mph ship reached shp knots mph sea trials turbo generators installed upper levels main turbine compartments ships carried maximum long tons fuel oil long tons usable rest retained ballast port fuel tanks offset weight island main guns demonstrated range nautical miles speed knots mph long tons oil armament bureau construction repair convinced aircraft effective sufficient armament warship design carriers included substantial gun battery caliber guns twin gun turrets pairs superfiring turrets fore aft island turrets mounted flight deck starboard bridge funnel guns theory fire sides probable fired port deck blast damaged flight deck guns depressed elevated loaded angle fired pound projectiles muzzle velocity gave maximum range yards lexington class anti aircraft armament consisted dozen caliber guns ship single mounts maximum elevation fired pound projectiles muzzle velocity maximum range surface targets yards elevation built ship fitted light guns inch water cooled anti aircraft machine guns fitted shortly commissioning numbers gradually increased 1930s lexington guns aboard sunk early projectiles muzzle velocity effective range yards rate fire rounds minute reliable shells light short ranged replaced license built beginning fired millimeter pound high explosive shells muzzle velocity maximum range yards effective range yards rate fire rounds minute practical rate rounds minute owing need magazines mounted guns late navy developing quadruple inch light gun early 1930s delayed problems single caliber guns installed temporary replacements fired pound shells muzzle velocity elevation anti aircraft ceiling feet navy plans remove inch gun turrets replace twin caliber dual purpose gun turrets standard mounting battleships cruisers time inch caliber guns replaced guns basis compensate greater weight guns fired pound projectiles muzzle velocity rate fire rounds minute surface targets range yards quadruple inch gun mounts finally fitted aboard lexington class ships late early pound projectiles muzzle velocity effective range yards maximum rate fire rounds minute frequent need round magazines reduced gun successful service replaced license built beginning late millimeter pound high explosive shell fired muzzle velocity maximum range yards effective range yards rate fire rounds minute guns fitted quadruple twin gun mounts increasing numbers war quadruple twin mounts early lexington inch gun turrets removed early replaced seven additional quadruple inch gun mounts temporary measure ship sunk inch guns replaced turrets installed armament upgraded early repair torpedoed fire control electronics superfiring inch turrets rangefinder rear turret local control guns normally controlled fire control directors fore aft spotting tops foot rangefinder fitted provide range information directors group inch guns controlled director mounted spotting tops plans war replace obsolete directors heavier directors fore aft inch spotting tops plans cancelled dual purpose guns replaced main armament early received early warning radar february refit antenna mounted forward lip funnel control room directly aerial replacing secondary conning station mounted received surface fire control radars late removed main armament january new dual purpose guns controlled directors mounting anti aircraft gunnery radar inch guns replaced guns directors smaller guns replaced directors additional radars added ship electronics modernized refit january armor waterline belt lexington class ships tapered inches thickness angled angle increased armor relative thickness horizontal close range fire albeit cost reducing relative height increased chance going covered middle feet ships forward belt ended bulkhead tapered seven inches thickness aft terminated seven inch bulkhead belt height feet inches deck ships machinery magazine armored layers special treatment steel totaling inches thickness steering gear protected layers totaled inches flat inches slope gun turrets protected splinters inches armor conning tower inches communications tube inch sides ran conning tower lower conning position deck torpedo defense system lexington class ships consisted medium steel protective bulkheads ranged inches thickness spaces left fuel tanks absorb torpedo ships service lexington develop carrier tactics series annual exercises world war occasion included successfully staged surprise attacks pearl harbor hawaii lexington turbo electric propulsion system allowed supplement electrical supply washington drought late early delivered medical personnel relief supplies nicaragua earthquake lexington sea pacific war began december fighter aircraft midway island mission cancelled returned pearl harbor week later days sent create diversion force route relieve besieged wake island garrison attacking japanese installations marshall islands island forced surrender relief force got close mission cancelled planned attack wake island january cancelled submarine sank required supply fuel return trip lexington sent coral sea following month block japanese advances area ship spotted japanese search aircraft approaching new britain aircraft shot japanese bombers attacked carrier successfully attacked japanese shipping east_coast new_guinea early march lexington briefly refitted pearl harbor end month coral sea early days later japanese began operation invasion port new_guinea american carriers attempted stop invasion forces sank light aircraft carrier battle coral sea encounter main japanese force carriers day aircraft lexington succeeded badly damaging japanese aircraft crippled lexington leaking aviation gasoline tanks sparked series explosions fires controlled carrier scuttled american destroyer evening prevent capture shortly japanese attack pearl harbor centerpiece unsuccessful american effort relieve wake island torpedoed japanese submarine weeks later lengthy repairs ship supported forces participating campaign aircraft sank light carrier battle eastern august torpedoed following month returned solomon islands area repairs completed supported allied forces involved new georgia campaign invasion northern solomon islands aircraft twice attacked japanese base november early aircraft provided air support gilbert marshall islands campaign transferred indian_ocean months support royal_navy eastern fleet attacked targets java sumatra brief refit ship training ship rest year early participated battle dedicated night fighter carrier days battle badly damaged hits forced return united_states repairs repair ship increasingly obsolete permanently modified training carrier hangar deck converted classrooms remained role rest war ferry troops united_states japanese surrender august july target atomic bomb tests operation crossroads sank bikini wreck easily accessible divers organized dive tours available list ships second world war list ship classes second world war