uss west uss west cargo ship united_states_navy world war built west united_states shipping board west boats series steel cargo ships built west_coast united_states west sailed navy armistice decommissioned july little available west civilian career known sailing new_york route early early west laid abandoned cargo ship scrapped second quarter year 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 march launched delivered navy completion june 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 drove single screw propeller moved ship knot pace military career uss west commissioned naval overseas transportation service june lieutenant commander gibson command west departed washington june chile cargo united_states sailing panama canal west arrived savannah georgia september sailed roads virginia arrived october days later loaded rolling stock steel rails general cargo united_states_army cargo ship sailed france delayed halifax repairs damaged propeller west finally entered harbor november days armistice west railroad goods loaded long tons army cargo headed united_states december arrived roads january west france navy control final voyage carried airplane materials france returned long tons army ordnance new_york july july west decommissioned returned civilian career little known west subsequent civilian career quarter known west sailing new_york route service new_york_times mentions ship received contemporary news coverage reported transfer west crew members united_states lines ocean liner republic sea fallen open fractured skull ships located nautical miles west new_york came mile injured man loaded boat republic heavy seas successfully transferred republic died hours later early west laid consideration installation coal fired boilers testing purposes lost honor west information west career available known abandoned scrapped second quarter year


uss wisconsin uss wisconsin illinois class pre dreadnought battleship ship united_states_navy named 30th state final member class built keel laid february union iron works san_francisco launched november completed ship commissioned fleet february ship armed main battery inch guns speed knots mph wisconsin served flagship pacific fleet commissioning period long distance cruise american late transferred fleet served northern squadron flagship returned united_states late overhauled extensively july joined great white fleet second leg cruise world lasted february ship remained service atlantic fleet early reduced reserve status vessel employed training ship starting primarily cadets naval academy united_states entered world war april wisconsin training duties expanded engine room personnel assigned coast battleship patrol squadron took naval review december war ended served briefly fleet decommissioned old battleship thoroughly obsolete time sold scrap january broken description wisconsin 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 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 wisconsin carried torpedo tubes deck mounted torpedo launchers wisconsin 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 pacific fleets keel wisconsin laid february union iron works san_francisco launched november commissioned fleet february ship steamed san_francisco march initial training bay mexico march april san_francisco april repairs lasted left port orchard washington arriving june wisconsin stayed days returning san_francisco later month joined battleships oregon iowa cruiser philadelphia torpedo boat tour west_coast united_states arrived port washington june proceeded port washington july took independence day celebrations following day returned port took training exercises lasted mid july wisconsin entered drydock sound navy yard washington july repairs lasted october sailed honolulu hawaii arriving october took coal continued american conducting gunnery training route arrived november stayed hospital ship weeks steaming german wisconsin left island november hawaii continued central_america arrived acapulco mexico december remained days coal visits peru chile returning acapulco february ship conducted wide variety training exercises bay bay march steaming west_coast united_states stopping san_francisco port arrived sound navy yard june repairs lasted august ship took gunnery training seattle additional maintenance sound august wisconsin departed washington september bound panama colombia protect american interests country time serving flagship pacific squadron rear admiral thousand days war waged panama brought representatives sides aboard wisconsin negotiations ultimately ended conflict ship left panama november steamed san_francisco arriving december 9th transferred flag armored cruiser new_york wisconsin conducted gunnery training december followed period drydock sound december assigned fleet honolulu arriving japan june rear admiral cooper commander northern squadron fleet hoisted flag aboard wisconsin june wisconsin spent years fleet time routine consisted operations north china japan summer philippines winter visited numerous east asian ports including nagasaki japan shanghai china ship left fleet september departed bound honolulu october proceeded san_francisco arriving october wisconsin spent week steaming north sound decommissioned november lengthy overhaul lasted end april steamed south san_francisco arrived naval review sound new fire control equipment installed work lasted june great white fleet atlantic fleet ship steamed san_francisco early july joined great white fleet departed roads virginia previous year leg global cruise great white fleet began crossing pacific visit hawaii way stops south pacific included melbourne sydney leaving australia fleet turned north philippines stopping manila continuing japan welcoming ceremony held weeks exercises followed bay philippines november ships passed singapore december entered indian_ocean proceeding suez_canal port said egypt fleet called mediterranean ports stopping gibraltar international fleet british russian french dutch warships greeted americans ships crossed atlantic return roads february conducted naval review president roosevelt wisconsin steamed roads march portsmouth new_hampshire arriving 9th entered drydock repairs modifications including new gray paint scheme returning service june assigned atlantic fleet joined unit roads end month immediate steamed north portland maine participated independence day celebrations july wisconsin rejoined fleet roads august gunnery training virginia routine maintenance performed roads period late september steamed new_york hudson celebration celebration saw international fleet warships germany britain france italy countries join atlantic fleet commemorate henry hudson discovery hudson_river wisconsin left ceremonies october repairs portsmouth lasted october november returned roads way newport rhode_island embarked sailors assigned atlantic fleet ship conducted exercises rest fleet virginia middle december departed new_york spend christmas new year day early january steamed south cuban waters exercises period lasted january march based bay cuba conclusion exercises wisconsin visits new_york new_orleans louisiana april arrived new_york stocks ammunition proceeding portsmouth navy yard placed atlantic reserve fleet transferred philadelphia april later year participated naval review held new_york ship returned atlantic reserve fleet placed ordinary october early wisconsin assigned united_states naval academy practice squadron battleships missouri ohio ships cruise pacific_coast recently completed panama canal wisconsin battleship transit canal opening world war wisconsin continued service training ship philadelphia navy yard april united_states declared war germany entering world war 8th ship began receive men naval militia flesh crew placed commission april assigned coast battleship patrol squadron missouri ohio commanded commander david sellers wisconsin steamed virginia arriving virginia day early august ship employed training ship engine room personnel chesapeake_bay area took squadron exercises august included battleships alabama illinois kentucky ohio missouri maine wisconsin proceeded port jefferson new_york additional exercises ship steamed york river western early october followed short period drydock philadelphia navy yard october december returned remained early repairs philadelphia followed june steamed route received orders cruise close shore german submarine operating area sunk ships wisconsin reached june having stopped delaware river wait depart contingent came aboard wisconsin june training cruise august returned disembarked returning day took men round training november germany signed armistice ended fighting europe wisconsin continued training ship duties december sent new_york naval review secretary navy daniels assistant secretary navy franklin roosevelt december following german surrender november battleships atlantic fleet transports ferry american soldiers france wisconsin sisters employed owing short range small size permit sufficient additional accommodations wisconsin instead steamed cuba training atlantic fleet went training cruise caribbean wisconsin decommissioned reclassified july eventually sold january broken scrap


uss kentucky uss kentucky battleship originally intended sixth final member iowa class constructed united_states_navy time construction second ship united_states_navy named honor state kentucky hull originally second ship montana class navy experiences world war led conclude required fast battleships escort new essex class aircraft carriers built result kentucky iowa class battleship midway war like sister ship illinois kentucky construction end hostilities caught post war draw armed services construction suspended twice times served spare parts sorts 1950s proposals complete ship guided missile battleship abandoned primarily cost concerns kentucky ultimately sold scrap background kentucky conceived united_states_navy initiated design studies creation extended south class restricted second london naval treaty resulting fast battleship designs planned preliminary design branch bureau construction repair passage second act cleared way construction south class battleships iowa class fast battleships hull numbers battleships class designated hull numbers missouri wisconsin illinois kentucky respectively cleared construction july originally planned final ships iowa class serve fast escorts essex class aircraft carriers intended ships montana class larger slower mounting mark guns passage emergency war building program july resulting illinois kentucky ordered fifth sixth ships respectively iowa class order save time construction ship montana class reassigned orders placed september ships laid december march respectively united_states_navy shifted building focus battleships aircraft carriers successes carrier combat battle coral sea greater extent battle midway result construction fleet essex class aircraft carriers given highest priority completion shipyards navy essex class carriers proving vital war effort enabling allies gain maintain air supremacy pacific war rapidly principal striking arm united_states_navy ongoing effort defeat empire japan accordingly united_states accepted shortcomings armor iowa class battleships favor additional speed steam comparable speed essex class provide carriers maximum anti aircraft protection result construction montana class canceled laid construction kentucky main battery consisted mark guns armor piercing shells secondary battery consisted guns arranged gun turrets fire targets away advent air power mandate gain maintain air superiority came need protect growing fleet allied aircraft carriers end kentucky fitted array anti aircraft guns defend allied carriers enemy iowa class torpedo defense virtually preceding south class battleships proposed kentucky hull redesigned provide greater degree torpedo protection battleship original construction class ship protected waterline tanks mounted outside belt armor separated bulkhead tanks initially planned practice filled water fuel oil armored belt tapered thickness inches waterline armored belt void bulkhead outer hull intended detonate torpedo outer compartments absorbing shock splinters debris stopped armored belt compartment navy discovered system considerably effective earlier torpedo defense systems intended construction format kentucky addressed problem providing improvement torpedo defense battleship simultaneously reducing flooding event torpedo strike despite providing additional torpedo defense kentucky records unclear matter idea actually adopted kentucky construction plagued keel laid norfolk navy yard portsmouth virginia march work ship suspended june year kentucky structure launched room construction june construction suspended bureau ships considered aircraft carrier conversion proposal kentucky illinois aftermath battles coral sea midway proposed converted kentucky foot long foot wide flight deck armament identical carriers essex class twin inch gun mounts inch guns single mounts quadruple mounts idea abandoned bureau ships decided converted ships carry fewer aircraft essex class essex class carriers built time conversion project significantly expensive new instead kentucky illinois completed battleships construction given low priority work ship resumed december keel structure returned work battleship proceeded slow pace completion projected quarter december recommended kentucky completed anti aircraft battleship work ship suspended august considered construction resumed august decision having final design work kentucky continued january decided halt work ship following floated drydock clear space repairs sister ship missouri run aground route roads guided missile battleship early missile conversion projects kentucky incomplete large cruiser uss hawaii discussed early 1950s advances guided missile technology led proposal create large warship armed guns missiles end incomplete kentucky chosen conversion gun ship guided missile battleship proposal relatively conservative involved installation pair twin arm launchers surface air missile sam aft pair associated pulse interception radar installed forward air search radar short mast battleship approximately complete construction halted main deck installation missile system associated electronics involved adding necessary equipment need rebuild ship accommodate system guided missile concepts included launchers nuclear cruise missiles guided missile battleship project authorized kentucky renumbered conversion complete project soon cancelled conversion ideas transferred smaller platform led boston class guided missile cruiser conversion project early called installation missile launchers capacity sixteen weapons equipped sam launchers eighty missiles sam launchers missiles july estimate projected completing ship july cost conversion ultimately forced navy abandon project fate kentucky completed instead serving parts hulk fleet philadelphia naval shipyard hurricane hit area october storm caused kentucky break free run aground delaware river kentucky bow removed repair wisconsin damaged collision destroyer uss congressman william attempted block sale ship bill august kentucky struck naval vessel register june incomplete hulk sold scrapping boston metals company baltimore maryland october boston metals company paid vessel towed shipyard baltimore february sacramento class fast combat support ships sacramento laid builders kentucky turbine sets power ships later prove beneficial decision navy switched psi boilers psi boilers sailors served aboard sacramento posted operate older boilers aboard new_jersey combat tour vietnam war aboard recalled modernized 1980s ship navy plan pair pound doors donated state kentucky ship construction officer club new_york_city eventually returned kentucky historical society early january


uss uss united_states_navy radar picket nuclear submarine vessel execute submerged earth operation early accomplished objective cruise command captain edward beach member class distinction western submarine powered nuclear second submarine fifth ship united_states_navy named greek god time commissioning largest powerful expensive submarine built million excluding cost nuclear fuel million present day terms operating years designed role mission radar picket submarine obsolete introduction carrier based airborne early warning aircraft converted attack submarine flagship commander submarine forces atlantic fleet decommissioned nuclear submarine taken service hull moored creek annex norfolk naval shipyard portsmouth virginia reserve fleet struck naval vessel register towed sound naval shipyard await nuclear powered ship submarine recycling program landed keel resting blocks drydock basin october begin recycling process completed effective november design history general characteristics considered generation nuclear powered submarine sisters serving fully operational units navy vessels played key developmental roles introduced use nuclear power ship propulsion utilized liquid metal nuclear liquid alternative heat exchange medium water nuclear powered submarine perform strategic nuclear patrol armed cruise missiles nuclear powered submarine class ship built unique contribution development nuclear power naval propulsion dual plant provided speed required radar picket missions radar picket submarines navy classification developed post war period provide intelligence information electronic surveillance fighter aircraft interception control forward deployed naval forces unlike destroyers radar picket ships world war submarines avoid attack detected navy program involved converting existing fleet submarines radar picket vessels navy ordered purpose built diesel electric salmon incapable sustaining high submerged surfaced speeds necessary operate fast carrier task forces unsuitable task nuclear power offered possible solution designed mid-1950s radar picket submarine capable operating high speed surface advance aircraft carrier task force high speed came twin nuclear propulsion plant designed speed surfaced submerged mph september achieved excess mph initial sea trials meet radar picket role main air search radar initially navy dimensional search radar laboratory tested set installed board destroyer leader norfolk prior installation board elevation set need separate height finding radar submarine version designated development slated installation process radar electronic air traffic data combat information center located separate air control compartment situated operations compartments design work nuclear powered radar picket submarine began initially designed level hull combat intelligence center image located middle level overall length initially feet beam feet initially designed displacement tons surfaced tons submerged january performance estimates called propulsion plant produce shaft horsepower surfaced speed mph submerged speed mph initially dual radar system installed non nuclear class radar picket submarines search radar height set housed large stepped sail image construction cost initially estimated subsequent growth propulsion plant necessitated overall increase length loss speed installation search radar allowed elimination separate height lead ship proposed class nuclear powered radar picket submarines december long range naval planning report envisioned carrier strike groups supported radar picket submarines total force included non nuclear class submarines nuclear submarines construction costs escalating long range requirement revised provide nuclear powered radar picket submarines single nuclear powered carrier group remaining conventionally powered carrier groups supported diesel electric radar picket submarines time construction largest submarine built knife like bow provided improved surfaced sea keeping radar picket role surface sea keeping enhanced high reserve provided ballast tanks american submarine submarine conning tower american submarine twin screws stern torpedo room sail largest aboard american submarine measuring feet long feet tall feet wide designed house large air search radar antenna use compartment solely crew separate chief petty officers quarters overall length feet longest submarine history united_states_navy nuclear powered missile submarine uss ohio formally commissioned unit navy propulsion submarine outside soviet_union designed propulsion plant versions land based prototype comprised submarine advanced program joint venture navy atomic energy commission general_electric originally designed total output rated horsepower achieved horsepower sea trials pictured commanding officer captain edward beach believed plant reached horsepower necessary share compartment number located forward number located aft compartment number supplied steam forward engine room starboard propeller shaft number supplied steam engine room port propeller shaft individually supply steam entire ship cross connected required enhanced reliability dual plant key factor selection undertake submerged world dual plant met number operational engineering objectives specifically high speed requirement meet radar picket mission continues sources speculation controversy day early 1950s engineers naval branch atomic energy commission concerned depending single plants submarine operations particularly involving ice arctic missions presence feed tanks surface warships suggested twin plant served future multi surface warships program production naval developed general_electric navy experience high power program led development naval california virginia classes nuclear powered surface ships finally navy debating best approach performance particularly underwater speed nuclear submarine fleet achieved high speeds horsepower efficient shaped hull form pioneered combined nuclear power allowed achieve higher speed horsepower combat systems weapon systems armament consisted mark torpedo tubes bow stern mark system inch hydraulic launch tube power handling capability standard torpedo carried mark weapon load forward aft commanding officer beach noted torpedo load forward torpedo room doubled removal single support fire control electronics main air search radar dimensional system range nautical miles capable tracking aircraft altitude feet elevation need separate height finding set use radar lowered housing massive sail pictured submarine version designated development time construction slated eventual installation long range passive detecting ranging listening range nautical miles surfaced submarines nautical miles target tracking capability degrees accuracy chin mounted passive array supplemented active range nautical miles bearing accuracy degree allowing fire control torpedo attacks target fire control system mark post war development incorporated target tracking ranging data position keeper pair automatically revised torpedo settings target position changed greatly simplified targeting solution plotting party previously targeting solutions manually estimated target fed torpedo data computer method pacific war entirely capable providing efficient fire control solutions post war non nuclear hunter killer submarines mark proved responsive rapid changes associated nuclear submarine operations number navigational built developed optical company allowed observe bodies order obtain accurate star fix plot ship course position construction history authorization navy ordered large radar picket advanced system designated october department defense appropriation fiscal year program significant included authorization construction submarines total largest order world war program included additional nuclear powered submarines guided missile submarine lead ship class final class attack submarines program completed final authorization navy generation nuclear submarines marked initial authorization second generation nuclear submarine finally program included submarines diesel electric class non nuclear attack submarines built navy henceforth navy submarine service nuclear powered force keel laying keel laid connecticut electric boat division general dynamics corporation length presented electric boat problems construction long bow railway facility transporting material yard consequently lower half bow cut away facilitate yard operations bow attached days prior launch similarly feet stern built adjoining slip attached rest hull launch sail found high feet cut away attached later launch considerable discussion role radar picket mission internal navy memorandum set forth options submarine extended use included configuration serve command ship fleet force commander advanced scout fleet missile submarine submarine exception command ship option proposed configurations required extensive modification original design potential mission underwater able rescue disabled submarines arctic ice pack commanding officer captain edward beach requested plans drawn modification characterized easy inexpensive consideration deployment arctic waters evidence employed underwater launching launched august wife vice admiral john sponsor principal address delivered admiral wright commander chief atlantic command commander chief atlantic fleet supreme allied commander atlantic nato guests attended largest crowd witness submarine launching time fitting february accepted service navy captain beach prospective commanding officer designated officer charge met key commissioning february achieved initial achieved milestone april accidents occurred post launch fitting october prior nuclear fuel installed steam valve failed testing causing large cloud steam filled number compartment april fire broke testing deep fat spread ventilation lines crew mess incidents nuclear related quickly handled ship personnel commander kelly prospective chief engineering officer awarded navy marine_corps medal quick action incident october sea trials began sea trials september days ship systems equipment thoroughly tested overall direction bureau ships naval branch captain smith supervisor electric boat generated horsepower sea trials reaching design surface speed knots mph achieved surface speed excess knots mph subsequently executed hour power submerged run crash maneuver significant problem encountered initial sea trials oil system starboard spring bearing recommendation admiral rigged spray bearing housing steady stream sea water shaft cool special watch set monitor temperature oil began preliminary acceptance trials pat september trials conducted supervision rear admiral francis douglas navy board inspection survey days sea tests passed ready enter service naval vessel operational history commissioning commissioned november captain edward beach command vice admiral bernard austin deputy plans policy address noting largest submarine built performance carefully followed naval designers planners world years speculated possibilities cargo ships transports navigate water futuristic talked fleets bold venture field widow late rear admiral lent presented original ship bell new commissioning ceremony late admiral lent earlier commanding officer painting ship presented american water color society final cost building nuclear fuel related costs paid usd making expensive submarine built time commissioning assigned submarine squadron navy nuclear force based submarine base new london connecticut command commodore tom henry subsequently completed torpedo trials naval station newport conducted special tests norfolk navy base returning electric boat december order install special communications equipment including prototype towed communications system housed large located end main deck work electric boat delayed priority given completing navy fleet missile submarines george_washington patrick henry objective vessels start nuclear patrols end january got underway conduct accelerated series sea testing returned february preparations continued forthcoming cruise scheduled departure february involved operating command ship flagship second fleet northern european waters february captain beach received message rear admiral lawrence dan instructing beach attend secret meeting pentagon february led execution operation submerged world cruise cruise successfully executed submerged world code named operation following track led ferdinand mission objectives set forth published ship log pictured purposes research determine endurance psychological stress extremely important program decided rapid round world trip touching areas interest conducted maximum stability observing platform continuity world important additionally reasons national interest decided voyage entirely submerged forces completed soon possible size speed extra plant chosen mission actual mission summarized navy dictionary american naval fighting ships sea cruise february bound south atlantic arrived middle atlantic peter paul rocks february commence history making voyage having remained submerged departure east_coast continued south cape horn rounded tip south_america headed west pacific philippine indonesian crossing indian_ocean rounded cape good hope arrived peter paul rocks april days hours departing mid ocean landmark sail break surface sea transferred sick sailor march arrived connecticut having completed submerged earth globe cruise proved united_states politically enhanced nation prestige operational viewpoint cruise demonstrated great submerged endurance sustained high speed transit capabilities generation nuclear powered submarines voyage submarine collected data cruise conclusion received presidential unit citation captain beach received legion merit president dwight commanding officer operation captain edward beach provided unique perspective published log sea hold key salvation man civilization world better understand navy directed submerged ferdinand historic honor fell national accomplishment power ship genius designed thousands hundreds thousands parts country build safe strong self reliant america unit navy voyage people united_states noted historian placed significance operation historical context achievement fleet globe echoed magnificent accomplishment nuclear submarine like voyage created stirring philosophical concepts demonstrated company men live work depth ocean months time shown new technology source power abundance ton vehicle driven water world shown arts observation navigation communication control reached point travel water possible accuracy book ships discovery exploration historian lincoln noted voyage conceived way impress soviet general secretary paris summit conference canceled pilot francis powers shot soviet_union coming years expedition uss accomplishment clear technological supremacy actual submerged occurred february april covering nautical miles days hours average speed knots mph crossing equator different occasions total duration cruise days hours minutes covering nautical miles remained submerged total days hours covering nautical miles maiden voyage new_york_times described submerged world triumph human prowess engineering skill feat united_states_navy rank bright victories man ultimate conquest seas initial deployments following post availability assumed duties radar picket submarine august deployed northern european waters second fleet participate nato exercises oriented detecting soviet bombers arctic participated nato exercises british naval forces led aircraft carriers royal command rear admiral sir charles days nato exercises rear admiral thomas flag lieutenant william lawrence aboard observe submarine radar picket operations time serving commander carrier division included carriers essex completed overseas deployment port visit west_germany nuclear powered ship european port october estimated touring boat port half conducted operational patrols training exercises atlantic fleet included sea exercise involving low power testing support development proposed natural circulation deployed monitor soviet hydrogen bomb initiation arctic ocean late october period rising threat posed soviet submarine forces increased navy demands nuclear powered attack submarines warfare capability following development carrier based airborne early warning aircraft long range air search radar longer needed development submarine version radar system canceled accordingly demise navy radar picket submarine program redesignated march overhaul conversion entered portsmouth naval shipyard june conversion attack submarine crew complement reduced overhauled connecticut september january included modification serve flagship navy longer plans use radar picket capability radar set replaced dimensional air search radar providing fleet sea air strike control capability subsequently served flagship following overhaul area continuing speculation national emergency command post afloat program tasked provide afloat facilities president united_states case emergency war command cruisers pictured wright assigned perform mission number attributes potential platform size allowed ample room additional systems personnel accommodations designed speed provided capability rapid transit nuclear power plant offered virtually unlimited endurance range combat information center provided substantial command control capabilities communication system receive send radio submerged submarine offered superior protection nuclear biological chemical nbc surface ships airborne command centre record remains unclear explicit conversion undertaken subsequent operations march completion overhaul home port changed new london norfolk april flagship january rescued pilot passenger charter aircraft atlantic_ocean virgin islands relieved flagship class submarine ray june days later shifted original home port new london connecticut commanding officers edward beach november july george july september robert september november frank november honors awards presidential unit citation secretary navy william presented presidential unit citation operation submerged world chief mate chester chief boat accepted behalf officers crew citation reads achievement february period earth submerged generally following route historic voyage addition proving ability crew nuclear submarine accomplish mission required months collected data scientific importance performance determination devotion duty crew keeping highest traditions naval service members crew voyage authorized wear presidential unit citation ribbon special form golden replica globe time second time navy vessel awarded presidential unit citation peacetime mission nuclear submarine uss receiving peacetime recognition operation sunshine submerged voyage north pole commemorate submerged world personnel voyage authorized wear presidential unit citation ribbon special form golden replica globe pictured naval unit citation reads exceptionally service period uss conducted important independent submarine operations great importance national defense united_states outstanding results achieved highly successful operations exceptional professional skill officers men inspiring performance duty keeping highest traditions naval service final disposition defense spending expense operating twin nuclear scheduled overhaul canceled submarine vessels slated twin plant designed submarine tender like nuclear submarines complexity clad fuel elements previous shipyard overhaul new fuel elements available installation overhaul canceled source controversy speculation suggests cancellation overhaul allowed funds repairs extensively damaged vietnam october underwent preservation processes decommissioned navy nuclear powered submarine taken service second world soviet navy november class submarine departed new london tow proceeded norfolk virginia placed reserve fleet remained norfolk creek annex norfolk naval shipyard portsmouth virginia stricken naval vessel registry april august ray towed salvage bolster sound naval shipyard washington arriving september await turn nuclear powered ship submarine recycling program effective october landed keel resting blocks drydock basin begin recycling pictured long delay disposal attributed complexity dual plant final recycling completed effective november legacy importance goes specific military task assigned operations test advanced type nuclear propulsion plant way capital ships future plaque days prior departure world submerged voyage captain beach approached tom auxiliary division officer design commemorative plaque upcoming voyage led portuguese explorer ferdinand plaque eventual design consisted brass disk inches diameter bearing sailing ship reminiscent trinidad submarine insignia years laurel outside motto est hail noble captain commodore tom henry commanding submarine squadron supervised completion plaque carving wooden form retired chief mate new london actual plaque mystic leg world voyage destroyer john weeks spain departure point earlier voyage john weeks transferred finished plaque transport united_states plaque subsequently presented spanish government john davis lodge united_states ambassador spain plaque located city hall spain mounted wall city hall marble slab submerged plaque presented mystic museum mystic connecticut naval historical association washington navy submarine school navy submarine force library museum located connecticut memorials light navigational beacon united_states naval academy maryland river meets spa creek harbor donated academy named greek god united_states naval academy class crew provided samples water taken seas ship passed submerged samples filled globe built light naming light significance globe explained commemorative marker beach hall new headquarters united_states naval institute dedicated april pictured facility named captain edward beach served secretary treasurer son edward beach commanded operation dive wheel conning tower display lobby beach hall submarine hall_of_fame following nomination chapter roads base united_states submarine veterans inc shadow box filled memorabilia placed auditorium hall located navy submarine learning center naval station norfolk uss recruit barracks ship dedicated ceremonies navy recruit training command naval station great lakes near north chicago illinois june facility honors memory submarines named includes memorabilia hall fifth barracks constructed project covering square feet square meters floor space facility designed accommodate recruits includes classrooms learning resource centers quarterdeck modern system dedication ceremony long missing ship bell added collection artifacts hall quarterdeck pictured uss submarine memorial park located columbia river end port boulevard north washington purpose establish permanent park north recognition decommissioned loaded port barge slip transported stored site park features sail superstructure pictured information display history park serves tourist attraction especially location resting place spent navy ships planning called sail cut transport park site ground breaking initially scheduled place april dedication ceremony set august fall start date construction october port conning tower concrete new uss submarine memorial park north washington mid december final pieces sail park site august port commission meeting reported bids phase includes park electrical lighting system pouring concrete sail announced shortly port authority second phase involve park landscaping phase installation parking lot park trail marked hiking trail focuses state washington contribution nuclear history united_states connects heritage trail uss submarine memorial park located george_washington way near columbia river formally dedicated november 52nd anniversary commissioning uss uss operation captain edward beach included technology nuclear age nuclear propulsion display cold war exhibit navy museum washington cultural references submerged operation subject abc television series expedition broadcast tuesday february hosted john episode titled saga featured film footage operation voice narration extracted captain beach referenced briefly popular cold war novels keith depicted participating submarine training exercise beginning novel special notice large rectangular sail novel cold sea edward beach second sequel best seller run silent run deep mentioned times ice capability considered served key plot point novel finally hunt red october tom biographical background mentions commanding charlie class submarine hours norwegian sea subsequently note small satisfaction soon retired said vessel proven unable deal newer soviet designs films period voyage sea world sea globe submerged similar operation teaser episode mutiny voyage sea television series broadcast january fictional nuclear submarine neptune cruise supervision admiral nelson richard submarine port shaft bearing begins admiral nelson orders rigged cool port shaft sea water solution admiral suggested sea trials button mind bob comedy album pictured included sketch entitled cruise monologue involving final address captain crew nuclear powered submarine completing year long world underwater voyage bob noted interview know think kind think spur routine think imagined trip like like totally incompetent commander cruise uss final result captain beach reportedly played cruise ship public address system overseas deployment fall antigua issued commemorative stamp submerged featured submarine voyage attraction operated 50th anniversary operation 50th anniversary operation submerged world celebrated april submarine birthday ball held resort casino connecticut master chief petty officer navy west delivering opening remarks pictured attendees navy submarine force library museum sponsored additional events activities entitled leagues sea april april april retired admiral henry served speaker graduation class basic enlisted submarine school new london naval submarine base connecticut graduation class named honor graduate received certificate course completion commemorative coin celebrating 50th anniversary submerged scholarship foundation 50th anniversary operation promote race world fund raising program support scholarship program finally members crew received commemorative ship pressure hull union april university texas marine science institute posted radio program article science sea web site commemorating operation 50th anniversary operation writer historian wrote incredible voyage june edition naval history magazine john beach wrote submerged april issue submarine review official magazine naval submarine league beach nephew captain edward beach commanding officer uss operation finally naval institute press published beneath waves edward biography late captain beach includes extensive coverage operation legacy operation 50th anniversary summarized retired captain james hay served historic submerged world voyage editorial page april issue submarine review official magazine naval submarine league captain hay noted truly cruise tested crew proved proved cared listen navy time required good sea story anniversary submerged good thing read


uss uss destroyer tucker class destroyer built united_states_navy prior american entry world war ship navy vessel named alexander laid bath iron works bath maine february launched april ship little feet length nearly feet displaced long tons armed inch guns inch torpedo tubes geared steam turbine power plant successful prototype greatly influenced destroyer designs july commissioning served neutrality patrol east_coast caribbean united_states entered world war april flagship destroyer squadron sent overseas patrolling irish sea ireland reported encounters boats months overseas transferred brest france march spent remainder war returning united state end underwent month overhaul served plane guard navy flight attempt navy flying boats years reduced commission august reactivated decommissioned june spent nearly years reserve philadelphia navy yard struck naval vessel register january sold june scrapped august design construction authorized tucker class like related brien class improved version class destroyers authorized construction vessel awarded bath iron works bath maine laid keel february fourteen months later april launched sponsor wells ship named commodore alexander navy officer war later navy inspector ordnance built feet inches length feet inches drew feet inches ship standard displacement long tons displaced long tons fully loaded unlike rest tucker class ships differing arrangements steam turbines engines cruising designed main united_states prototype installation curtis geared steam turbines according conway world fighting ships mechanical design considerable effect destroyer designs installed steam turbines generate shaft horsepower ship speeds knots reached speed knots trials main battery consisted inch mark guns gun weighing excess pounds guns fired pound armor piercing projectiles feet second elevation guns range yards equipped inch torpedo tubes general board united_states_navy called anti aircraft guns tucker class ships provisions laying floating mines sources unclear recommendations followed tucker ships early career uss commissioned united_states_navy boston navy yard july command lieutenant commander joseph trials torpedo firing drills newport rhode_island destroyer took duty new_england coast line october duty included patrols america neutrality year old european war january departed massachusetts join annual fleet maneuvers caribbean stop norfolk virginia reached west_indies island january began month round war games drills exercises stay caribbean visited bay bay cuba april left bay steam north stopped new_york week stay returned newport resumed operations new_england coast succeeding year passed way predecessor summer operations northeastern coast followed fleet maneuvers caribbean completion second round winter fleet maneuvers spring returned north far roads america entry world war approached sister destroyers began patrolling norfolk area protect naval bases ships potential incursions german submarines world war april anchor rest fleet united_states entered world war moved new_york immediately prepare voyage europe war service april departed new_york europe flagship commander joseph commanding division destroyer force ship destroyer division dispatched united_kingdom led porter davis ireland began patrolling southern approaches irish sea day summer overseas proved period wartime service sighted boat weeks began patrols destroyer sped attack submarine dove escaped days later picked survivors hms torpedoed sunk preceding day june destroyer caught glimpse enemy submarine submerged escaped june served escort american troop convoy reach europe scored definitely successes german submarines destroyer depth charge attacks separate occasions july gunfire attack instance depth charge attacks july returned results whatsoever gun attack july similarly sighting double following day depth charge attack attack explosions stronger charges dropped patch reddish brown material rose surface certain destroyer damaged submarine conclusive evidence found prove possibility fourth depth charge attack boat july dropped charges appeared wake submarine proceeding submerged boat damaged supported appearance large heavy oil surface following attack warship attacked supposed submarine wake dark evaluate results long struck submerged metallic object caused list temporarily later wireless operator intercepted messages sent german submarine period half hour suggested damaged submarine depth charge attack june definite proof forthcoming early august destroyer concluded summer peak activity escorting united_states merchant convoy leg voyage europe mission 16th destroyer dropped barrage thought submarine remainder war encounters enemy fact submarine contact occur december like resulted definite damage enemy opening months brought new boat contacts worked hard escorting convoys patrolling british waters early march received change assignment 4th arrived brest france operated remainder war assignment recorded german submarines june second october case dropped depth charges produce solid proof damage enemy war ended november germany accepted allied armistice terms later career december stood brest return united_states reached boston massachusetts january following extended overhaul sea serve picket ships stationed intervals ocean flight flying boats successfully completed feat destroyer returned home operated east_coast summer august placed reduced commission philadelphia remained years destroyer returned active service east_coast year later june decommissioned philadelphia navy yard ship remained reserve january struck naval vessel register sold scrapping june broken following august


uss west uss west cargo ship united_states_navy ship built west reverted end navy service world war ship united_states_army transport ship west later renamed point listed william point west steam powered ship built united_states shipping board west boats series steel cargo ships built west_coast united_states world war war effort 13th ship built columbia river company portland oregon commissioned naval overseas transportation service united_states_navy january overseas trips navy decommissioned returned early civilian career sailed new_york_city later shifted sailing antwerp 1920s west sailed argentine ports west laid new_orleans transferred united_states_army renamed point world war ship sailed primarily pacific_ocean calling ports australia alaska west_coast point laid reserve fleet oregon january sold scrapping july year navy career completion west february months end fighting world war handed united_states_navy use naval overseas transportation service february commissioned uss west day lieutenant commander alfred thompson command west took load wheat flour sailed february east_coast panama canal arrived norfolk virginia march sailing soon headed constantinople turkey delivered cargo april west set constantinople united_states gibraltar arrived norfolk june decommissioned days later returned civilian career details west post navy career unknown mentions shipping reports contemporary newspapers offer hints activities new_york_times reports west impending arrival october antwerp august november west apparently begun sailing argentine ports newspaper mentions west report sorts cargo carried january associated_press story christian science monitor reveals cargo voyage argentina news item said load cargo leaving buenos_aires nearly year west carried animal hides estimated pairs shoes wool ship continued calling buenos_aires santa argentina late west laid reserve fleet new_orleans world war june united_states maritime commission opened bidding laid cargo ships included west according los_angeles_times successor forced act critical shortage navy auxiliary ships specific information available west cost west laid west boats november west different group ships taken united_states_army defense service ship movements army control largely unknown january new_york_times reported west arrived new_york puerto_rico february march ship renamed point sources indicate william point instead honor officer corps destinations point army service known june ship ship dock newly completed port facilities anchorage alaska september january point sailed ports australia new_guinea sailing convoys point visited brisbane bay war end point listed chicago daily returning army personnel pearl harbor san_francisco july following january point entered national defense reserve fleet oregon withdrawn scrapping august


uss uss wooden broadside ironclad built united_states_navy american_civil_war ship initially assigned north_atlantic blockading squadron supported union forces peninsula campaign damaged battle bluff armor thin prevent confederate shots penetrating widely regarded failure reconstructed armor transferred west gulf blockading squadron ship participated battle mobile bay subsequent siege fort morgan august briefly transferred east gulf blockading squadron september sent philadelphia pennsylvania repairs november repairs completed march rejoined north_atlantic blockading squadron roads following month end war ship decommissioned portsmouth new_hampshire june transferred roads condemned broken scrap background united_states received word construction confederate ironclad virginia congress appropriated million august build armored ordered creation board armored ships navy advertised proposals iron clad steam vessels war august secretary navy appointed members ironclad board following day task examine plans completion iron clad vessels date commissioned design armored sloop naval architect samuel june anticipating order union navy counter confederate ironclad known building expected order bid higher cost building steam class accepted provided construction charles sons shipyard mystic connecticut exchange navy asked price armored building design fish mystic july day bill authorize construction number armored ships introduced senate building wooden hull began days later ironclad board initially accepted sixteen designs submitted early september armored frigate uss new design board required guarantee ship float despite weight armor needed design reviewed naval end recommended consult friend john met september following day time evaluate design guarantee second meeting showed design future monitor got permission model design told board despite preliminary rejection board accepted proposal september explained design person previous day ironclad ships differed substantially design degree risk monitor innovative design virtue low shallow draft iron hull total dependence steam power element design rotating gun turret previously tested navy guarantee delivery days proved decisive choosing design despite risk involved wooden novel feature armor iron rails new influenced french ironclad conservative design copied features french ship design description original design dated june schooner rigged corvette masts feet long waterline beam feet depth hold feet inches estimated displacement long tons ship sides protected wrought iron plates inches thick backed inches india rubber inch hull ship deck consisted armor inches revised design submitted ironclad board contract awarded september sloop enlarged probably uncertain original design support proposed armor weight built feet long perpendiculars feet long overall beam feet depth hold feet inches draft feet ship displaced long tons tons number masts reduced greatly increased crew numbered officers enlisted men ocean voyage original configuration rolled heavily construction armor scheme modified rubber backing replaced additional inch iron commodore joseph smith chief bureau yards docks uncertain ship support weight reduce weight alternatives proposed proposal reduce thickness protection inch distance feet bow stern reduce armor thickness gun ports inches deck armor thickness inch inches wood unknown exactly situation resolved report march suggests proposals combined said armor inches thick gun ports stern inch thick powered single cylinder horizontal steam engine drove propeller indicated horsepower engine steam generated boilers gave ship speed knots mph bore inches stroke inches trip roads commissioning ship reached speed knots mph sails ship armed inch pounder rifles pivot mounts fore aft inch guns inch gun weighed approximately pounds fire pound shell range yards elevation muzzle loading rifles fired pound shell maximum range approximately yards caliber guns weighed pounds career keel laid fish launched february ship commissioned april commander alfred taylor command arrived roads april having suffered engine route assigned flag officer north_atlantic blockading squadron commander john relieved taylor day inspected ship shortly arrival ordered cut away nuts inside hull covered sheet iron prevent breaking loose ship hit prepared action ironclad virginia sortied roads virginia attack ship port royal sailed james river orders cooperate major general george army peninsula harass retreating confederate forces ships battery ran past covering river damage ran aground later day damaged required day half work freed ships reinforced ironclads monitor reached city point following day battle bluff morning led squadron bluff miles richmond blocked river placed battery foot bluff cover obstacles anchored yards bluff opened fire wooden ships remained monitor attempted fire battery guns elevate reach engaged confederate position hours ammunition nearly exhausted fire largely ineffective shells manage kill seven wound members battery return ship hit estimated times port hits penetrated armor large holes punched deck suffered crewmen killed wounded letter wife said sides look attack smallpox sailors marine aboard awarded medal honor actions battle charles corporal john member marine_corps receive medal remained james river battle returned city point shelled confederate soldiers river banks bombarded city point cover landing force set fire depots june major general came aboard ship locate new camp later established near harrison landing june compelled withdraw james covered gunfire continued support forces transferred northern virginia patrolled river defend transports supply ships confederate raids detached james river flotilla september monitor retained newport news virginia case confederate ironclads building richmond sortied roads departed roads arrived philadelphia pennsylvania days later decommissioned repairs reconstruction ineffective armor removed engines boilers armament increased inch guns single pounder rifle rebuilt ship rigged sloop masts recommissioned february command lieutenant commander wells sailed february gulf_of_mexico west gulf blockading squadron ship new castle delaware towed sea ice boat forced port repairs departed norfolk arrived pensacola florida blockade duty mobile alabama shelled fort morgan fired blockade runners attempted evade blockade battle mobile bay rear admiral david commander west gulf blockading squadron split ships columns monitors comprise starboard column closest morgan mission bombard fort wooden ships column passed sink ironclad ram tennessee past fort wooden ships prevent escape confederate wooden mobile ensure wooden ships past morgan ordered pairs ship pull succeeded knocking boilers engines tied port larger sloop pair ships port column battle began morning august passing fort starboard boiler disabled shell hit crew attempting steam engines engaged tennessee range yards ironclad managed fire shots little damage struck times passing fort little damage rigging badly cut crewmen wounded died wounds sailors awarded medal honor actions battle william thomas jordan edward martin edward young intermittently bombarded fort morgan surrendered august sailed mobile bay august temporarily serve east gulf blockading squadron key west florida transfer permanent september ordered philadelphia navy yard repair month later ship arrive november repairs begin november recommissioned march reassigned north_atlantic blockading squadron reached newport news april ship patrolled mouth river james river departure june portsmouth new_hampshire decommissioned june recommissioned april transfer roads decommissioned june condemned survey broken norfolk navy yard


uss uss destroyer class destroyer built united_states_navy prior american entry world war ship navy vessel named honor rear admiral andrew laid william sons philadelphia march launched march ship little length standard displacement long tons armed guns torpedo tubes powered pair steam turbines propelled mph january commissioning assisted sister ship ship suffered explosion fire rooms april period reserve served neutrality patrol duty duty october destroyers sent rescue survivors victims german submarine picked officers crew dutch cargo ship boat sank united_states entered world war april sent overseas patrol irish sea ireland unsuccessful attacks boats overseas service rammed hms nearly sunk returning united_states war january placed reduced commission alternating periods activity time reserve decommissioned philadelphia july struck naval vessel register march ordered scrapped april design construction authorized march ships class identical class destroyers authorized time construction vessel like sister ships awarded william sons philadelphia laid keel march march launched sponsor wallace daughter ship namesake andrew kennedy ship navy vessel named honor american admiral 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 moving ship design speed mph exceeded contracted speed trials december averaged mph runs delaware main battery consisted caliber mark guns gun weighing excess guns fired armor piercing projectiles elevation guns range early single guns replaced twin guns experimental basis departed overseas service world war original single gun mounts restored equipped twin mount torpedo tubes pre world war uss commissioned navy january command lieutenant commander charles train february march conducted cruise west_indies april began operations roads virginia 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 remained afloat towed norfolk parker navy crews destroyers raised help funeral expenses widow men july went reserve new_york navy yard came active service december august navy conducted new_york_times called greatest war game undertaken american navy scenario blue force defended east_coast united_states red force attempting amphibious landing scouting blue force spot red transports escorts attack transports red force repulsed leading blue victory prior entrance united_states world war served neutrality patrol duty trying protect american neutral merchant ships interference british german warships boats course performing 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 total survivors victims rescued destroyer flotilla picked captain crewmen transport newport world war united_states entered world war april group destroyers chosen anti submarine duty european waters departed new_york arrived ireland days later destroyer began tours duty sea hunting boats convoys destinations encounter boats came july apparently attacked submarines launched total torpedoes convoy evaded destroyer drove away depth charge attack july way destroyer wake torpedo immediately charged attack guns depth charges later crew sighted air bubbles oil surface british admiralty commended probable damage german boat destroyer continued patrols june moved brest france base operations end war september european wartime service rammed british class sloop hms event mentioned dictionary american naval fighting ships extent damage ships unknown photograph navy naval history heritage command website shows nearly sunken moored ships postwar december sea brest time began voyage united_states rejoining atlantic fleet beginning warship participated annual fleet maneuvers held cuban waters cruise azores return united_states summer placed ordinary norfolk june active patrolled eastern assigned duty plane guard tender atlantic fleet air squadrons duty terminated stood philadelphia prepare decommissioned philadelphia july ship struck naval vessel register march april ordered scrapped philadelphia navy yard


uss west uss west cargo ship united_states_navy shortly world war decommissioned navy ship known west pan royal pan royal civilian service american registry west west boats series steel cargo ships built united_states shipping board west_coast united_states ship ship built southwestern san california launched october delivered navy completion late december commissioning west sailed california load wheat flour east_coast united_states europe docked hamburg germany march american ship dock hamburg start world war conclusion trip germany decommissioned returned west sailed european ports time south american service american line ownership sale operation american export lines began sailing mediterranean service later cargo service soviet black_sea ports american ship dock soviet_union world war brief stint service ship renamed pan royal service subsidiary steamship company convoy sailing world war pan royal united_states united_kingdom north_africa beginning second voyage africa february pan royal accidentally rammed convoy ships sunk crewmen lost lives accident 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 southwestern west southwestern laid july ship new southwestern shipyard launched october sponsor year old daughter yard superintendent west delivered united_states_navy completion late december los_angeles_times heralded completion time world record completion new ship new shipyard west gross register tons grt feet inches long perpendiculars feet inches west steel hull mean draft feet inch displacement ship single triple expansion steam engine drove single screw propeller moved ship knots mph military career uss west commissioned naval overseas transportation service san california december lieutenant commander robert command west sailed san january san_francisco took initial load flour sailed norfolk virginia january arrived roads march setting days later west slated sail danzig hook holland diverted route arrived new destination hamburg march american ship dock city world war begun years completed unloading cargo flour noted california flour sailed new_orleans way plymouth april days arrival new_orleans west decommissioned returned interwar years incomplete information available west activities return incident note reported new_york_times february news item reported west heading galveston texas ran short provisions fuel towed new_york united_states_coast_guard cutter tampa late west laid norfolk virginia reactivated february early west begun sailing american lines owned line sailed south american service west sailed service called ports like buenos_aires early west sold export steamship corporation operation american export lines brand half year west sailing new_york mediterranean service near azores sailing alexandria egypt boston october west responded american tanker david reported trouble storm according report los_angeles_times cargo ship arrived specified location steaming overnight trace crew found oil floating vegetable box found surface october following year new ship docked soviet black_sea port deliver cargo machinery american ship dock soviet port end world war remained black_sea service august los_angeles_times reported line secured year long charter expanded service north_atlantic ports pacific ports los_angeles san_francisco portland oregon seattle later ship renamed pan royal reflect naming style new owners pan atlantic steamship company subsidiary steamship company pan atlantic line sailed coastal service atlantic gulf coasts likely pan royal called typical pan atlantic ports baltimore miami tampa new_orleans philadelphia new_york boston time september white star ocean liner collided pan royal thick fog tip cape pan royal developed leak return boston left galveston texas previous day leaving boston passengers damage proceeded destination new_york power injured ship master pan royal claimed avoided collision proper steering master contended collision november pan royal ships strike new_york june following year christian science monitor reported pan royal engaged return big joe soviet_union big joe nickname given foot tall soviet worker holding red star stretched hand statue column soviet socialist building new_york world fair fair season soviet pavilion dismantled prior fair season popular american opinion turned soviet_union november invasion finland big joe new_jersey prevented export united_states maritime commission ruling enforcing moral prohibited charter american ships behalf soviet_union world war june seven months united_states entered world war pan royal convoys boston united_kingdom halifax second visit ship called belfast barry haven returning new_york october mid november pan royal sailed roads virginia returned mid january february pan royal departed roads convoy north_africa days pan royal accidentally rammed norwegian cargo ship american liberty ship george davis pan royal sank position loss men survivors rescued navy destroyer uss


uss texas uss texas second ship united_states_navy named honor state texas new_york class battleship ship launched commissioned march soon commissioning texas saw action mexican waters following incident numerous sorties north_sea world war united_states formally entered world war texas escorted war convoys atlantic later shelled axis held beaches north african campaign normandy landings transferred pacific theater late provide naval gunfire support battles okinawa texas decommissioned having earned total battle stars service world war museum ship near houston texas world remaining battleships texas notable remaining era dreadnought battleship oldest surviving battleship pre dreadnought battleship ordered empire japan hms victory launched nelson flagship battle older texas noteworthy remaining ships remaining capital ship served world wars built battleships texas notable sizable number navy vessel house permanently assigned contingent marines battleship mount anti aircraft guns ship control gunfire directors range keepers analog today computers battleship launch aircraft platform turret receive version production radar navy battleship permanent museum ship battleship declared national historic landmark construction texas new_york class battleships authorized june bids texas accepted september december winning bid excluding price armor armament submitted newport news contract signed december plans delivered building yard seven days later texas keel laid april newport news virginia launched sponsored miss daughter colonel cecil republican national texas ship commissioned march captain albert grant command texas main battery consisted inch caliber mark guns fire armor piercing shells range nmi secondary battery consisted inch caliber guns mounted inch torpedo tubes bliss mark torpedo port bow stern starboard bow stern torpedo rooms held torpedoes total plus naval defense mines texas sister new_york battleships store inch ammunition cast iron cups nose service history march texas departed norfolk navy yard set course new_york_city making overnight stop new_york night march entering new_york navy yard day spent weeks undergoing installation fire control equipment stay new_york president wilson ordered number ships atlantic fleet mexican waters response tension created detail mexican federal troops detained american crew problem quickly resolved locally rear admiral henry sought demanding official act regime gun salute american flag president wilson saw incident opportunity pressure government felt april wilson placed matter united_states congress sent orders rear admiral frank friday commanding naval force mexican coast instructing land force veracruz seize customs house retaliation known incident action carried april intensity situation texas sea headed directly operational duty benefit usual cruise post repair period day stop roads joined rear admiral force veracruz remained mexican waters months supporting american forces ashore august left veracruz set course bay cuba steamed new_york entered navy yard august battleship remained september returned sea joined atlantic fleet settled schedule normal fleet operations october returned mexican coast later month texas station ship duty lasted november steamed galveston texas galveston november texas governor oscar presented ship silver service captain grant young men business league texas raised purchase silver texas sailed november veracruz remained month ship left mexico december set course new_york battleship entered new_york navy yard december remained undergoing repairs february texas battleships south_carolina louisiana michigan rescued passengers damaged holland america line passenger ship rammed norwegian fruit steamer joseph gratitude holland america line presented texas model 17th century warship displayed silver texas battleship mount anti aircraft guns addition inch caliber guns platforms atop boat cranes control gunfire directors analog today computers world war return active duty fleet texas resumed schedule alternating training operations new_england coast virginia winter fleet tactical gunnery drills west_indies routine lasted years february march crisis submarine warfare world war april april declaration war found texas riding anchor mouth york river atlantic fleet battleships remained virginia roads vicinity mid august conducting exercises training naval armed guard gun crews service board merchant ships gun crews trained aboard texas assigned merchant vessel beginning war april crew sighted surfaced german boat gun crew trained aboard texas opened fire boat attack firing american shots world war august steamed new_york repairs arriving base august entering new_york navy yard soon completed repairs september got underway port jefferson day mid watch september ran hard aground block island captain victor blue navigator confused shore lights concerned minefield opening long_island sound turn wrong time ran ship aground island bow way aft days crew ship avail september came assistance finally backed clear hull damage dictated return yard extensive repairs departure battleship division british isles november secondary battery reduced eighteen inch guns october captain blue navy secretary daniels court remained command texas navy department held navigator entirely responsible accident december completed repairs moved south conduct military york river mid january found battleship new_york preparing voyage atlantic including removal inch guns reducing total number aboard sixteen departed new_york january arrived scapa_flow islands coast scotland february rejoined known 6th battle squadron britain grand_fleet texas service grand_fleet consisted entirely convoy missions occasional reinforce british squadron blockade duty north_sea german heavy units threatened fleet alternated bases scapa_flow forth scotland texas began mission days arrival scapa_flow sortied entire fleet reinforce 4th battle squadron duty north_sea returned scapa_flow day remained march sea convoy escort mission returned march texas division mates entered forth april got underway 17th escort convoy american battleships returned base april days later texas stood sea support second battle squadron day german high_seas_fleet sortied jade bay norwegian coast threaten allied convoy forward units caught sight retiring germans april extreme range possibility bringing german fleet engagement grand_fleet germans returned base day grand_fleet including texas likewise texas division mates passed relatively inactive forth june got underway warships 6th battle squadron headed anchorage scapa_flow arriving following day june july texas colleagues acted escort american adding north_sea barrage day return scapa_flow texas sea grand_fleet conduct days tactical exercises war games conclusion drills july fleet entered forth remainder world war texas battleships division continued operate grand_fleet 6th battle squadron german fleet increasingly tied bases jade rivers american british ships settled routine schedule operations little hint combat operations state affairs lasted armistice ended hostilities november november got underway accompany grand_fleet meet surrendering german fleet fleets nmi east isle proceeded forth afterward american contingent moved portland harbour england arriving december inter war period december texas sea meet president wilson embarked george_washington way paris peace conference rendezvous took place following morning provided escort president brest france ships arrived afternoon afternoon december texas american battleships departed brest return united_states warships arrived light station christmas day entered new_york day following overhaul texas resumed duty atlantic fleet early march american battleship launch airplane lieutenant commander edward flew british built warship later texas captain successfully employed naval aircraft spot fall shells main battery exercise results aircraft borne gunfire significantly accurate testimony navy general board lieutenant commander kenneth attested increase gunfire effectiveness air spotting likely great result experiments navy add fleet battleships newer cruisers texas served plane guard navigational aid successful attempt navy flying boat airplane cross atlantic july texas entered pacific_ocean newly formed pacific fleet spend half years pacific fleet july following year designated navy newly adopted alpha system hull classification symbols texas left pacific january returned east_coast overhaul participate training cruise european waters naval academy embarked operating atlantic november sank incomplete battleship washington compliance naval arms limitation treaty later fall conducted maneuvers unit scouting fleet july entered norfolk navy yard major modernization overhaul overhaul replaced cage masts masts replaced coal fired boilers bureau express oil fired boilers upgraded fire control equipment completed november armament increased inch guns torpedo tubes removed inch guns relocated new main deck casemates time following completion overhaul texas designated flagship united_states fleet resumed duty eastern kept task late brief tour duty pacific late september early december texas set showing talking pictures crew entertainment near end year texas returned atlantic resumed normal duty scouting fleet january transported president havana cuba pan american conference continued panama canal west_coast maneuvers fleet near hawaii returned new_york early annual overhaul completed march began brief tour duty pacific returned atlantic june resumed normal duty scouting fleet april took time operating schedule escort new_york ship carried returning delegation london naval conference january left yard new_york flagship united_states fleet headed panama canal san_diego california los_angeles port san home port years months temporary atlantic april october pacific period served flagship entire fleet later flagship summer reassigned east_coast flagship training detachment united_states fleet late early warship flagship newly organized atlantic squadron built organizational assignments directed primarily training missions cruises naval reserve drills training members fleet marine force inch guns quadruple mounts added improve light armament december texas received testing radar designed commercial company navy texas fourteen ships receive radar world war early operations soon war broke europe september texas began operating neutrality patrol american attempt war western hemisphere later united_states moved active support allied cause warship began ships carrying lend lease united_kingdom february 1st marine division activated aboard texas february admiral king hoisted flag commander chief formed atlantic fleet aboard texas year neutrality patrol atlantic texas unsuccessfully german submarine convoy duty sunday december found battleship bay maine undergoing rest period following months watch duty naval station newfoundland days bay returned remained late january got underway escort convoy england delivering charges battleship patrolled waters near iceland march returned home time secondary battery reduced inch guns light battery greatly increased inch caliber mount guns replaced later mount cannons attack pearl harbor having demonstrated need months continued convoy escort missions destinations occasion escorted bound marines far panama warship screened service troops sierra west_coast africa frequently united_kingdom escorting troop carrying ships operation torch october texas embarked major combat operation sortied task group northern attack group operation torch invasion north_africa objective assigned group port french morocco warships arrived assault beaches near village early morning november began preparations invasion texas transmitted general dwight voice freedom broadcast asking french oppose allied landings north_africa troops went ashore texas action immediately support point war doctrine amphibious warfare army officers recognize value instead army insisted attempting landing surprise texas entered battle early afternoon army requested fire french army ammunition dump near port gunfire mission provided 10th cease fire november unlike later operations expended rounds inch shells rounds inch shells short stay crewmen went ashore assist ships sunk harbor november texas departed north_africa east_coast united_states task force savannah transports seven destroyers young news reporter walter board texas starting norfolk virginia service coast north_africa return trip flown texas aircraft norfolk flying distance granted permission flown rest distance norfolk rival correspondent massachusetts return issue news reports published operation torch experiences aboard texas launched career war correspondent operation overlord texas carried familiar role convoy escort new_york home port numerous places gibraltar frequent visits ports british isles routine continued ended april year european end mission remained clyde estuary scotland began training invasion normandy rehearsal days texas carried inch gun firing exercises british battleships hms firing conjunction royal_air_force april texas nevada arkansas relocated belfast northern_ireland final preparations including removal airplane catapult ship observation planes pilots flew texas period temporarily transferred newly formed squadron composed pilots flew observation scouting planes cruisers battleships arkansas nevada texas received training defensive fighter tactics navigation formation flying spotting procedures royal_air_force flew spotting missions threat german fighters pilots fly spotting missions warships utah beaches day time additional radio equipment added including device detect jam radio guided missiles final exercises carried south bay belfast final preparations general came aboard speak crew ship sealed briefing given crew upcoming invasion invasion texas designated bombardment force flagship beach western firing area western half supporting 29th infantry division 2nd ranger battalion hoc 5th ranger battalion diverted western support troops hoc beach bombardment force consisted sections texas british light cruiser hms glasgow responsible western half arkansas french light cruisers responsible east assigned beach american destroyers baldwin thompson british destroyers hms june texas rest western sailed belfast normandy sight parallel course group british ships including battleships june reverse course unacceptable weather normandy later evening island reversed course headed joined invasion fleet gathering area invasion fleet headed south normandy german minefield cleared channels single beach vessel lost day june texas british cruiser glasgow entered western fire support lane initial firing position offshore near hoc combined total british flotilla ships including seven battleships heavy cruisers initial bombardment commenced site guns atop hoc texas ceased firing inch shells fired minutes average rate fire shells minute longest sustained period firing texas world war shells main guns hitting hoc inch guns firing area leading exit route inland western texas shifted main battery gunfire western edge beach town secondary battery went work target western end beach laced strong points defend exit road later control airborne moved major caliber fire inland enemy reinforcement activities destroy batteries strong points farther inland noon assault beach danger collapsing stronger anticipated german resistance inability allies needed armor artillery units beach effort help infantry fighting destroyers providing gunfire support closed near shoreline grounding fire germans texas closed shoreline texas closed water edge firing main guns little elevation clear western exit things fired machine gun nests hidden beach conclusion mission battleship attacked enemy anti aircraft battery located west june battleship received word ranger battalion hoc isolated rest invasion force low ammunition mounting casualties response texas obtained filled provisions ammunition rangers return brought thirty wounded rangers texas treatment died operating table rangers deceased coast guard sailor seven prisoners germans italians french brought ship prisoners fed segregated formally interrogated aboard texas ship bombarding targets standing bombard loaded aboard transfer england later day main battery shells enemy held towns break german troop concentrations evening bombarded german mortar battery beach long midnight german planes attacked ships offshore low texas starboard quarter anti aircraft batteries opened immediately failed hit morning june guns fired shore battery finally retired plymouth returning french coast june june supported army advance inland june troops advanced edge texas gun range fire support mission far inland needed range starboard torpedo flooded water provide list degrees gave guns elevation complete fire mission combat operations range guns june texas left normandy england june battle morning june texas company arkansas nevada cruisers destroyers closed vital port suppress fortifications batteries surrounding town army vii corps attacked city rear route bombardment plan changed task group built arkansas texas ordered east engage guns battery hamburg large shore battery composed guns arkansas fire german positions german gunners waited arkansas texas range return fire texas german shells minutes later texas returned fire continuous stream gun battleship continued firing runs spite shell difficulty spotting targets smoke enemy gunners skilled german shell conning tower fire control remains fell conning tower wounded gunnery officer hit main support column navigation bridge exploded explosion caused deck pilot house blown upwards approximately wrecked interior pilot house wounded seven total casualties german shell hit man succumbed wounds duty texas commanding officer captain baker escaped quickly bridge cleared warship continued deliver inch shells gun spite damage casualties scored direct hit penetrated heavily reinforced gun destroy gun inside shell reported shell crashed port bow directly entered warrant officer clark failed explode shell later disarmed navy bomb disposal officer portsmouth currently displayed aboard ship hour duel germans near missed texas times continued mission firing inch shells battery hamburg ordered retire operation texas underwent repairs plymouth damage sustained preparation invasion southern france july departed belfast headed mediterranean stops gibraltar algeria battleship arrived taranto italy july departing taranto august texas french destroyers tunisia set course french arrived saint night august joined early morning battleship nevada cruiser philadelphia august moved position pre landing bombardment opened target battery guns beaches fortified heavy resistance expected poor visibility morning texas relied radar equipment determine position track navigation gunnery purposes landmarks visible firing greater heavy opposition expected landing forces moved inland rapidly fire support texas guns longer required departed southern coast france early morning august stop sicily left mediterranean headed new_york arrived september operations detachment new_york texas underwent day repair period barrels main battery replaced brief cruise departed maine november set course panama canal pacific stop long beach california continued spent christmas pearl harbor conducted maneuvers hawaiian islands month end steamed departed february stopped islands days invasion rehearsals set course arrived february days amphibious landings began spent days pounding japanese defenses preparation landing marine_corps divisions marines stormed beaches february texas switched providing naval gunfire support fire response requests marine units continued february island declared captured march texas departed volcano islands march returned prepare invasion okinawa operation departed task force gunfire support unit march arrived islands 26th texas moved close okinawa began bombardment day days fired multiple main guns prepare way army marine divisions amphibious landings april evening texas retired bombardment position close okinawa returned morning resume enemy ashore preparing defense depth strategy answer air units provided response raids sent harass bombardment group texas escaped damage attacks april days aerial naval bombardment ground troops went ashore months texas remained waters providing gunfire support troops enemy aerial assault performing mission claimed kill claimed assists departed okinawa philippines end war texas arrived philippines remained japanese capitulation august returned okinawa end august stayed islands september day set course united_states bound troops embarked operation magic carpet battleship delivered passengers san california october celebrated navy day october resuming mission bring american troops home round trip california november late december january texas departed san steamed panama canal norfolk arrived february soon began preparations june placed officially reserve baltimore maryland museum ship april battleship texas commission established texas legislature care ship necessary pay baltimore san commission task march texas began journey new anchorage busy houston ship channel near san monument san state park arriving april turned state texas day serve permanent memorial date april significant date decisive battle san ended war texas independence led creation republic texas joined state struck naval vessel register april texas permanent battleship memorial museum uss oregon displayed floating museum portland oregon scrapped battleship presented state texas commissioned flagship texas navy battleship texas commission funding produced battleship texas commission task maintaining ship consequently years neglect resulted cracks gaps coated surfaces water intrusion steel deterioration paint interior spaces began crack exposing metal surfaces underneath began time pipes open sea ultimately failed flooding wooden main deck ship leaking deck interior ship compartments commission found replacing decayed deck expensive solution time remove wooden deck replace concrete concrete eventually cracked began leak main deck spaces local charitable institutions brown foundation moody foundation houston contributed ship enable commission paint hull time newspaper articles reported texas attack neglect insufficient funding texas designated national historic mechanical engineering landmark american society mechanical engineers national historic landmark national_park_service transfer texas parks wildlife department concerns leadership battleship texas commission led decision state legislature turn control ship texas parks wildlife department legislature abolished commission effective august assumed operational control day actions hire firm naval architects survey ship order assess deterioration recommendations actions taken preserve ship survey revealed ship watertight integrity badly compromised hull open sea places compartments standing rain water architects determined ship needed dry dock major repairs hull rain water coming concrete deck plan consideration given protecting sensitive restoring interior ship year long fund raising campaign million collected dry dock ship complete necessary repairs dry dock period december texas pulled berth great difficulty course hours large begin nmi trip berth shipyards galveston texas tow houston ship channel started taking water breach forward engine rooms crew inch pumps inch pumps continuous service combat flooding plus hour transit ship draft increased stern texas entered yard floating drydock approximately december high tide spare hull blocks sit underwent month refit sought restore ship condition refit yard workers sand paint hull superstructure replaced tons metal hull inside ship replaced weakened structural beams numerous deck plates workers removed concrete main deck repairs new deck installed green total steel amounting ship hull replaced seal underwater hull february moved texas dry dock repair facility green repairs wood deck installed mounts guns installed july ship returned berth san final mounts guns installed repairs complete ship officially reopened public september returning slip san members ship staff volunteers worked restore interior spaces dry berth project years evaluating wide range alternative plans address ship problems issues san working san state historic site adopted master plan called placing texas permanent dry berth master plan formally adopted texas legislature approached secure appropriate funding legislature allowed voters texas express opinion november texas voters approved million funds dry berth ship prevent deterioration waters ship channel provisions bond legislation battleship texas foundation non profit support organization raise million private funds supplement million bond funds provide total million accomplish goal vote confidence place contracted independent maritime engineering firm survey ship determine condition ship structurally sound support permanently resting keel blocks question dry survey reflected hull leaks keel main supporting internal structure sufficiently strong support weight ship dry berth determined dry physically possible ship necessary preliminary evaluation engineering viable ways dry actually accomplished independent maritime engineering firm contracted study range dry berth alternatives present report findings acting report ship condition report engineering viable dry berth alternatives internal studies reports prepared progress report presented legislative budget board late july march released funds dry project commence lengthy selection process fee negotiations signed contract october design develop plans texas dry berth contract called preliminary design completed spring following federally mandated environmental assessment expected years bidding process construction dry berth temporarily texas expected begin construction completed summer leaks june leak starboard ship caused texas sink feet leak precipitated burned pump allowed ship water usual consequently separation pulled waterline creating second leak leak discovered broken pump replaced gal imp gal water pumped ship leak waterline stuffed temporary fix june years day later new leaks holes gaps discovered ultimately necessitating week closure ship visitors removal water repair leaks complicated presence oil texas fuel month leaks fixed commemoration texas oldest battleships permanent floating museums battleships honored way massachusetts alabama north_carolina new_jersey missouri wisconsin iowa texas oldest surviving modern naval ships having turned years old march radio occur texas yearly museum ship weekend pearl harbor day amateur radio operators battleship texas amateur radio station website years date operate occasions federal communication commission similar original awards texas earned awards service incident world war world war service world war texas earned battle stars major campaigns participated awards media texas appeared films prior retirement cinema debut brief final scene film boy streets starring cooper steve film sand film pearl harbor texas stood battleships attacked ship interiors portray interior aircraft carrier later film texas appears films flags fathers letters movies ship depicted preparation marines amphibious assault texas central plot element science fiction book texas daniel served texas world war