This generation of ships marked a complete break from previous US battleship designs. All were fast ships, well armed and armored. Unfortunately they were designed for a type of warfare that vanished as they were being built. During WWII they served mostly as escorts for the carriers, as they were the largest ships (and only battleships) capable of operating with the fast carrier forces. They also took part in a few surface actions, and in bombardment of the Japanese home islands near the end of the war. However, they did not take part in bombardments during the island campaigns, since they were too valuable as carrier escorts.
Postwar these ships were considered too valuable to discard, but there were no roles for them, so they were laid up. The Iowas were periodically returned to service, mostly for bombardment duties, until finally discarded in the 1990's.
Concept/Program: The first US battleships built after the 1930's "building holiday"; established the pattern for all subsequent US battleships. These ships were the product of a long series of designs that evolved during the "holiday". A much faster (30 knot) design was considered, but was rejected in favor of a more conservative 27 knot design. The design was constrained by the limits of the London Treaty: 35,000 tons standard displacement and 14" guns. They were good, successful ships, but were rapidly made obsolete by changes in naval warfare.
Design: The design was radically different from all previous US battleship designs, and introduced the familiar arrangement of two main turrets forward, one main turret aft, and 5" secondaries along each side of the superstructure. The design initially included 12 14" guns in three quadruple turrets, but allowance was made for substitution of 16" guns in the event Japan refused to accept the 14" Treaty limitation. This eventuality became reality, and the 14" guns were replaced by three triple 16" turrets shortly after construction began. The armor was designed for protection against 14" shells. As a result, their protection was considered sub-standard against 16" shells, and especially against the "heavy" (2700 lb) 16" shell.
One significant design problem encountered during trials was a severe vibration originating in the propellers and shafting. Initially the problem was so severe that the ships were rendered ineffective, due to inability to work the gunfire control systems. Correcting these problems required extensive trials, experimentation, and stiffening of certain components.
Modernization: Saw no major changes during their relatively brief service, but did undergo standard wartime modifications, including improved electronics outfit, enlarged and enclosed bridgework, replacement of 1.1" and .50cal guns with 40mm and 20mm weapons, and subsequently a massive increase in the number of 20mm and 40mm guns.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Both decommissioned shortly after WWII and laid up in reserve. They were considered valuable as fast hulls suitable for conversion, and a variety of schemes were considered (including missile ships, satellite launch ships, helicopter assault ships, and fast replenishment ships), but none of the ideas were particularly practical. Ultimately the ships were disposed of in the early 1960's, after many years in reserve.
Transferred to the Pacific 10 June 1942 and operated in that ocean for the remainder of WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces. Also saw limited shore bombardment duty. Torpedoed with moderate damage 15 September 1942. Final light armament was 15 quad 40mm AA, 8 twin 20mm AA, and 20 single 20mm AA.
Overhauled 1946 and made one training cruise with Naval Academy midshipmen. Decommissioned to reserve 27 June 1947. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1960, donated for preservation 6 September 1961, and preserved as a museum at Wilmington, NC.
Operated with the Royal Navy in European waters early in 1942, then transferred to the Pacific 28 August 1942. Operated in the Pacific for the remainder of WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces. Also saw limited shore bombardment duty. Destroyed the Japanese battlecruiser Kirishima in a night gun action off Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942. Lost her bow in a collision with Indiana 1 February 1944; repaired at Puget Sound Navy Yard. Final light armament was 15 quad 40mm AA, 1 quad 20mm AA, 8 twin 20mm AA, and 63 single 20mm AA.
Outfitted as a troop transport postwar and made one trip to Europe to bring troops home. Decommissioned to reserve 27 June 1947. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1960, sold 24 May 1961, and scrapped at Newark starting October 1961.
Concept/Program: This design was intended to provide protection against 16" shells on the same displacement as the previous class, and with the same speed and armament. The result was somewhat of a compromise, and the introduction of the "heavy" (2700 pound) 16" shell, in place of the previous 2250 pound shell, rendered their protection sub-standard. Still, they were good, effective ships and gave good service during WWII. As with other battleships of their era, however, they were rapidly overtaken by changes in naval warfare.
Class: It was originally planned that only two ships of this design would be built, and that the Iowa design would start with BB 59. In the event was decided to build BB 59 and BB 60 as repeats of this design, to expedite production.
Design: Generally resembled the North Carolina class, but shorter, with one funnel instead of two. The armor and underwater protection scheme was entirely new, however. The torpedo protection scheme was later determined to be rather unsatisfactory. The outboard propeller shafts were encased in massive skegs, with the inboard shafts placed entirely between the skegs, for torpedo protection. The design was found to be rather cramped, especially for antiaircraft guns in the superstructure, because the length of the superstructure had been reduced. The 5" guns were at the 01 and 02 levels, rather than at the main deck and 01 levels, as they had been in North Carolina.
Variations: South Dakota was fitted as a force flagship; as such her conning tower was one level higher than the others. As weight compensation she had two fewer 5" mounts; to compensate for this loss in firepower she had an additional pair of quad 1.1" mounts.
Modernization: Saw no major changes during their relatively brief service, but did undergo standard wartime modifications, including improved electronics outfit, enlarged and enclosed bridgework, replacement of 1.1" and .50cal guns with 40mm and 20mm weapons, and subsequently a massive increase in the number of 20mm and 40mm guns.
Departure from Service/Disposal: All decommissioned shortly after WWII and laid up in reserve. They were considered valuable as fast hulls suitable for conversion, and a variety of schemes were considered (including missile ships, satellite launch ships, helicopter assault ships, and fast replenishment ships), but none of the ideas were particularly practical. Ultimately the ships were disposed of in the early 1960's, after many years in reserve.
Operated in the Pacific through most of WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces, and some shore bombardment duty. Sustained moderate damage in a night gun action with the Japanese battlecruiser Kirishima and escorting cruisers off Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942; overhaul and repairs at New York Navy Yard completed February 1942. Operated in the Atlantic, with the Royal Navy, February-August 1943, then returned to the Pacific. Received minor bomb damage 19 June 1944. Final light armament was 17 quad 40mm AA and 73 single 20mm AA.
Decommissioned to reserve 31 January 1947. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1962, sold 25 October 1962, and subsequently scrapped.
Operated in the Pacific throughout WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces, and some shore bombardment duty. Damaged in a collision with Washington 1 February 1944; repaired at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. Final light armament was 12 quad 40mm AA, 4 twin 20mm AA, and 48 single 20mm AA.
Decommissioned to reserve 11 September 1946. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1962, sold 6 September 1963, and subsequently scrapped.
Supported landings in north Africa late 1942, and damaged the French battleship Jean Bart. Transferred to the Pacific early 1943 and operated in that ocean for the remainder of WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces, and some shore bombardment duty. Final light armament was 18 quad 40mm AA, 1 quad 20mm AA, 1 twin 20mm AA, and 31 single 20mm AA.
Stripped of light weapons postwar and refitted for further service. Decommissioned to reserve 27 March 1947. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1962, donated for preservation 8 June 1965, and preserved as a museum at Fall River, Massachusetts. Overhauled/restored at Boston Ship Repair, 7 November 1998 to 9 March 1999.
Operated with the Royal Navy until transferred to the Pacific in August 1943. Operated in the Pacific for the remainder of WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier forces, and some shore bombardment duty. Final light armament was 12 quad 40mm AA and 56 single 20mm AA.
Decommissioned to reserve 9 January 1947. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1952, donated for preservation 16 June 1964, and preserved as a museum at Mobile, AL.
Concept/Program: The final US battleships to be completed; generally considered to be the best US battleships ever, and among the finest in the world. This design was conceived as functional equivalent of the South Dakota class, but capable of 30+ knots for carrier escort duties, and to oppose the fast Japanese Kongo class ships. Planning initially called for four of these ships, based primarily on the need to counter three Kongos (the 4th had become a training ship). The design was allowed 45,000 tons standard displacement after the Escalator Clause of the London Treaty was invoked, but this limit was far exceeded when the treaties were abandoned.
Two additional ships were added to the class as part of the war mobilization program, although neither was ever completed. Illinois, the least complete of the final pair (she had been delayed by higher-priority work) was cancelled at the end of the war and was broken up on the ways. Kentucky was further along when the war ended, and she was retained incomplete for many years. Various conversion schemes were proposed, including completion as a missile ship, but she was ultimately broken up as well.
The Iowas were the only battleships truly fast enough to effectively operate with the fast carrier task forces, and saw considerable service in that role. Postwar they were considered highly valuable as fast, powerful ships suited to flagship roles, however, their military utility was limited to shore bombardment/fire support. Due to their limited roles and high operating costs, three were decommissioned to reserve shortly after WWII, but all four were active as fire support ships during the Korean War. After the conflict ended they all returned to reserve, but New Jersey again was reactivated during Vietnam for fire support duties; she returned to reserve after brief service.
After WWII, and during the Korean War, all four ships saw extensive service as Naval Academy and Naval Reserve training ships, mainly for summer and short-duration training cruises.
During the 1980's they once again returned to service, this time with extensive refits to give them anti-ship and shore-attack cruise missiles, as well as modernized electronics and support systems. However, their missile capabilities were rapidly outclassed by VLS-equipped destroyers and cruisers, leaving the battleships with primary roles of fire support and gunboat diplomacy. Their very high operating costs, especially in manning requirements, could not be justified for this very limited role, so they again returned to reserve.
In 1995 all were stricken in preparation for disposal, provoking a loud outcry among those who felt these 50+ year old ships were the solution to 21st century naval requirements. To calm the outcry and at Congressional insistence, two of the ships were returned to reserve pending availability of improved fire support capabilities within the fleet. The selection of the two ships to be retained in reserve was a political one, not an objective one, calling further into question the motivation and need for retention of the ships. There is virtually no chance that any of the ships will ever return to service, as naval budgets and manpower continue to shrink, and new highly capable fire support systems enter service in the fleet.
Three of the ships are now museums, although one of those remains Navy-owned and in reserve.
Class: It was originally planned that the Montana design would start with BB 65, however, it was decided to build BB 65 and BB 66 as repeats of this design, to expedite production.
Design: Very similar or identical to the South Dakota design in nearly all respects. The hull was lengthened by 200 feet to improve hydrodynamics and provide more space for machinery, to achieve higher speeds. The boilers and engines were in a conventional arrangement, rather than in the unusual South Dakota arrangement. The torpedo protection, armor, and weapons arrangements were identical to the South Dakotas. The ships were capable of maintaining very high speed, and were highly maneuverable. They were not cramped, except in terms of wartime accommodations, unlike the previous class. They were, however, somewhat wet due to their long, narrow bows. Their limited beam in way of #1 turret made it difficult to provide adequate torpedo protection in that area. The final pair would have included several detail improvements, including a revised torpedo protection scheme.
Variations: Iowa was fitted as a force flagship; as such her conning tower was one level higher than the others. As weight compensation, and to avoid blocking the line of sight from the lowest level of the conning tower, she had no 40 mm mount atop #2 turret.
Modernization: Saw no major changes during WWII but did undergo standard wartime modifications, including improved electronics outfit, enlarged and enclosed bridgework, and increased numbers of 20mm and 40mm guns. They were unmodernized when activated for Korean service, except for updating of electronics and removal of the aircraft catapults to allow helicopter operations from their sterns. When New Jersey was reactivated for Vietnam, all of her 20 mm and 40 mm guns were removed, modern electronic and EW systems were added, and her crew was dramatically reduced (to about 1600).
The 1980's reactivation included a significant modernization with many new systems added. Systems that were not replaced or rebuilt were overhauled as needed to provide 10-15 service life. The superstructure was reconfigured to provide space for Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles and Phalanx CIWS guns; four 5" mounts were removed to provide space. All new radars and electronics, including modern EW gear, were fitted; new masts were installed to suit. However, the electronics suite was considerably less extensive than was fitted in contemporary new-construction ships. Installation of the Sea Sparrow self-defense missile system was considered, but it was found that the system could not withstand the blast of the 16" guns. New UNREP gear, boat davits, and other deck equipment were fitted. Helicopter fueling facilities were installed, and the aircraft crane removed, but no helicopter arming or maintenance facilities were provided. Drone control and recovery facilities were fitted. Habitability was improved; air conditioning and sewage holding systems were installed. The ships were not outfitted as flagships. Post-refit specifications were as follows:
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Displacement: 57,500 full load Dimensions: 887 x 108 x 38 feet/270.4 x 33 x 11 meters Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8 600 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 212,000 shp, 33 knots Crew: 1524 Armor: 1.6-12.1 inch belt, 6 inch deck, 11.6-17.3 inch barbettes, 2.5-17.3 inch turrets, 7.25-17.3 inch CT Radar: SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search EW: SLQ-32(V)3 active/passive, SLQ-25 Nixie towed decoy Aviation: helicopter landing platform Armament: 8 quad Armored Box Launchers for Tomahawk missiles, 4 quad cannisters for Harpoon missiles, 3 triple 16"/50cal, 6 dual 5"/38cal, 4 20mm Phalanx CIWS, various 20mm or .50cal MG
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Operational: It has often been reported that Missouri suffered severe, permanent damage from her 1950's grounding, and that she was restricted to 15 knots when reactivated in the 1980's. These reports are untrue; the damage caused by the grounding was minor, confined mainly to some torn bottom plating, and was repaired immediately after the grounding. All four ships reached 30+ knots during their 1980's reactivations.
Departure from Service/Disposal: The ships were decommissioned for the final time in 1990-1992 and laid up in reserve. They were stricken for disposal 12 January 1995 and made available for donation 1 May 1995. New Jersey and Wisconsin were returned to reserve status in 1996, but not reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register until 12 February 1998. New Jersey was again stricken 4 January 1999 to allow her preservation in New Jersey, and Iowa (retained since 1995 only as a parts hulk) was upgraded to reserve and reinstated on the Register on the same date. Missouri has become a museum/memorial at Pearl Harbor and New Jersey is preserved at Camden, NJ. Wisconsin is a museum-in-reserve at Norfolk, VA, owned by the Navy and maintained in reserve, but cosmetically restored and open to the public on a limited basis.
Damaged by grounding in Casco Bay, 16 July 1943; repaired at Boston. Briefly operated in the North Atlantic to guard against Tirpitz, then carried President Roosevelt to Casablanca, late 1943. Transferred to the Pacific early 1944 and operated in that ocean for the remainder of the war, mainly in support of the fast carrier task forces; also saw some shore bombardment duty. Light AA armament was unchanged during WWII. Decommissioned to reserve 24 March 1949.
Recommissioned for Korean War service 24 August 1951; made one deployment to Korea, and carried out extensive shore bombardment operations, then transferred to the Atlantic. Decommissioned to reserve 25 February 1958.
Modernized at Avondale Industries, New Orleans and Ingalls SB, Pascagoula; recommissioned 28 April 1984. #2 turret was damaged by a powder explosion in the center gun 19 April 1989; the damage was partially repaired, but the center gun was not restored to operation.
Decommissioned to reserve 26 October 1990. Stricken for disposal 12 January 1995 but retained as a parts source; reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register and returned to reserve status 4 January 1999. Berthed at Philadelphia, PA, then Newport, RI, and finally Suisun Bay, CA.
Operated in the Pacific throughout WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier task forces; also saw some shore bombardment duty. Final light armament was 20 quad 40mm AA, 8 twin 20mm AA, and 41 single 20mm AA. Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1948.
Recommissioned for Korean War service 21 November 1950. Made two deployments to Korea and conducted extensive shore bombardment operations, then transferred to the Atlantic. Decommissioned to reserve 21 August 1957.
Overhauled at Philadelphia Navy Yard; recommissioned for Vietnam service 6 April 1968. Made one deployment to Vietnam and conducted extensive shore bombardment operations. Decommissioned to reserve 17 December 1969.
Modernized at Long Beach Navy Yard; recommissioned 28 December 1982. Conducted extensive operations off Lebanon, 1983-1984.
Decommissioned to reserve 9 September 1991. Stricken for disposal 12 January 1995 but retained in reserve; reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register, in reserve, 12 February 1998. Stricken for preservation in New Jersey 4 January 1999. Towed to Philadelphia, 12 Sept 1999 - 11 Nov 1999 and subsequently moved to Camden, NJ for preservation as a museum. Museum donation became official on 20 July 2000.
Operated in the Pacific throughout WWII, mainly in support of the fast carrier task forces; also saw some shore bombardment duty. The Japanese surrender was signed aboard 2 September 1945. Final light armament was 20 quad 40mm AA and 49 single 20mm AA.
Remained active postwar, mainly engaged in training and diplomatic duties. Ran aground 17 January 1950; refloated 1 February 1950; minor damage repaired at Norfolk. Made two deployments to Korea for shore bombardment duties. Decommissioned to reserve 26 February 1955.
Modernized at Long Beach Navy Yard; recommissioned 10 May 1986. Participated in cruise missile strikes and shore bombardment in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. Was present at Pearl Harbor 7 December 1991 for 50th anniversary commemorations.
Decommissioned to reserve 31 March 1992. Stricken for disposal 12 January 1995, donated for preservation 4 May 1998, and preserved as a museum at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Recommissioned for Korean War service 3 March 1951. Made one deployment to Korea, and conducted extensive shore bombardment operations. Bow damaged in a collision with the destroyer Eaton 6 May 1956; repairs at Norfolk Navy Yard, using Kentucky's bow, completed 28 June 1956. Decommissioned to reserve 8 March 1958.
Modernized at Avondale Industries, New Orleans and Ingalls SB, Pascagoula; recommissioned 22 October 1988. Participated in cruise missile strikes and shore bombardment in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.
Decommissioned to reserve 30 September 1991. Stricken for disposal 12 January 1995 but retained in reserve; reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register, in reserve, 12 February 1998. Berthed at Norfolk, VA; as a museum-in-reserve, with the weather decks open to the public, but the ship still maintained in reserve and owned by the Navy.
Various plans for completion as a missile ship were cancelled, and no work was done. The bow was cut off May 1956 to repair Wisconsin after collision damage; a replacement was later fabricated, but never installed. Stricken for disposal 9 June 1958, sold 31 October 1958, and scrapped at Baltimore starting February 1959. Engines and boilers were salvaged and installed in AOE 1 class ships.
Concept/Program: This, the final US battleship design, returned to more traditional US practices; the ships would have been large, relatively slow, quite heavily armed, and armored to match. The design was allowed to grow as needed to meet the expected threat, without any consideration for the Treaties, which had been abandoned by the time this design was seriously considered. Although they were too large to transit the existing 110-foot locks of the Panama Canal, a third, much larger set of locks was planned.
These ships were overtaken by world events, and their construction was delayed even before the US entered into WWII, in favor of building existing designs. They were formally suspended by Presidential order in April of 1942, due to an apparent shortage of steel, or due to other ships having a higher priority for the steel that was available. By the time they were finally cancelled 21 July 1943, it was clear that the battleship's role was declining, and that resources would best be used elsewhere.
Class: It was originally planned that this design would start with BB 65, but it was decided to build BB 65 and BB 66 as repeats of the Iowa design, to expedite production.
Design: The general arrangement and appearance were very similar to previous US Treaty battleships. The design was primarily driven by the desire to provide armor against the "heavy" (2700 lb) 16" shell. The enormous size required to accommodate the necessary armor allowed considerable additional armament to be fitted. An armament of 18" guns was briefly considered, but the 16"/50cal was thought to be a superior weapon. The 16"/50 were originally planned in three quadruple turrets, to save length, but the triple turret was later adopted. The secondary armament was upgraded from the 5"/38cal to the new 5"/54cal; this weapon (in a single version) was fitted in the Midway class carriers. The 5" battery returned to the main deck and 01 level, as it had been in the North Carolina class. Had the design progressed further, additional quad 40 mm surely would have been added, dual 20 mm would have replaced the single 20 mm, and other wartime changes would have been made. The armoring and underwater protection scheme was based on that of the North Carolina class, rather than the Iowas. These ships were design contemporaries of the Midway class carriers, and their machinery arrangements were quite similar.
