Maine second class battleship
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Virginia class battleships
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Prior to 17 July 1920 US battleships were designated "Battleship X", abbreviated "B-X" in this list, i.e. Missouri was "Battleship 11" or "B-11". The two early second-class battleships were not numbered. On 17 July 1920 new designations were implemented; the battleships were redesignated "BB-X", keeping their original numbers, i.e. Missouri became "BB 11". Ships which had been discarded prior to this date, and ships which were assigned auxiliary designations (IX-series) on this date, never officially had "BB-X" numbers assigned. However, the BB-series designations are almost always used to identify all of these ships.
At the start of the predreadnought era the US Navy was small, weak and generally obsolete; by the end of the era it was one of the world's major naval forces. The design of US predreadnoughts paralleled this shift in role and position, going from small, weak and outdated ships to large, powerful and modern ships. However, US predreadnoughts were generally a bit behind foreign ships in adopting new advances. The last class of predreadnoughts was completed after HMS Dreadnought had entered service, rendering them instantly obsolete.
A few of the early predreadnought saw service during the Spanish-American War, and performed well during terribly one-sided battles. However, the engagements showed that much better fire control was needed, as hit percentages were pitifully low.
Aside from the Spanish-American War engagements, US predreadnoughts saw no combat. They spent much of their time in reserve or mobilization fleets, and as training ships. In 1907-1909 most of the predreadnoughts then in service, except the earliest (least-seaworthy) ships, participated in the round the world cruise of the Great White Fleet. Ships cruising with the Fleet were Kearsarge, Kentucky, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Louisiana, Vermont, Minnesota and Kansas. It had been intended that Nebraska, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Idaho would join the Fleet in 1908, giving a total force of 20 ships. However, the latter pair of ships was found to be deficient and thus did not cruise with the Fleet. Nebraska and Wisconsin did join the cruise, but Alabama and Maine had developed problems and were forced to drop out when the additional ships joined.
In 1909-1911 the entire predreadnought fleet was put through a modernization program, to make the already-obsolete ships as useful as possible. They received new cage masts in place of their military pole masts, superstructures were reduced to a bare minimum, conning towers were enlarged, new fire controls were fitted, the secondary batteries reduced, and safety improvements were made in the main turrets. In addition the fleet was repainted from white-and-buff to plain gray.
During WWI these ships served mainly as training ships, operating primarily in the Chesapeake Bay area. They also conducted a limited number of convoy escort missions. During the war their secondary batteries were greatly reduced or even removed entirely, both to improve seaworthiness by removing low-level casemates, and to provide guns for merchant ships. Postwar they were assigned to the Cruiser-Transport Force and outfitted as troop transports to bring troops home from Europe.
All predreadnoughts surviving into the 1920's were stricken and scrapped under the terms of the Washington Treaty.
Concept/Program: One of two large warships authorized on 1886. Was originally classified as an armored cruiser (numbered ACR-1), but in 1894 was given the more appropriate classification of second class battleship. The ship had a protracted building period, and as a result was totally obsolete when finally completed. Her most significant contribution was providing the US Navy with experience in construction and operation of large capital ships. Her accidental sinking was a major cause of the Spanish-American War.
Design: The design is often considered to be based on the Brazilian Riachuelo, although the ships were quite different in details, and even in general arrangement. In general Maine was typical of mid-1880's designs. The main turrets were en echelon, rather than on the centerline; the forward turret was to starboard, the aft turret to port; both were projected beyond the hull by a considerable distance. This arrangement severely restricted her ability to fire on a broadside.
Operated in the Atlantic and along the east coast through 1897. Arrived at Havana, Cuba, 25 January 1898 to represent US interests during unrest in Cuba. Sunk by an internal explosion, probably caused by unstable and deteriorating powder, or by spontaneous combustion of coal, 15 February 1898; 252 killed.
Hulk raised 2 February 1912, towed to sea, and scuttled 16 March 1912.
Concept/Program: The second of the two large warships authorized in 1866. Was originally classified as a battleship, but in 1894 was given the more appropriate classification of second class battleship. The design was relatively weak from the start, and ship had a protracted building period; as a result she was totally obsolete when finally completed. A much-needed complete redesign was proposed in 1889 but was rejected. Provided valuable experience in construction and operation of large capital ships, and participated in the Spanish-American War, but was in and out of reserve for most of her career.
Design: Designed by Barrow Shipbuilding, UK. The ship was small and outdated from the start. The main turrets were en echelon, rather than on the centerline; the forward turret was to port, the aft turret to starboard. This arrangement severely restricted her ability to fire on a broadside. Both turrets were supported and protected by a common citadel or redoubt, rather than separate barbettes. Originally the 12" guns had fixed loading positions, but this was later revised to all-round loading. The armor protected a relatively small area of the hull.
Decommissioned 27 January 1896, probably for repairs or overhaul; recommissioned 20 July 1896. Operated in the Atlantic and along the east coast through 1898. Served in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War. Participated in the Battle of Santiago, 3 July 1898; received no significant damage. Decommissioned at Norfolk Navy Yard 3 November 1900 for repairs and overhaul; recommissioned 3 November 1902.
Served with coast defense forces, 1902-1905, then as a station ship at Charleston from 1908. Decommissioned to reserve 11 Jan 1908, but recommissioned 1 September 1908. Renamed San Marcos 15 February 1911, sunk as a target 22 March 1911, stricken 11 October 1911.
Concept/Program: The first US battleships that can be considered truly "modern". Designed as "coastline battleships", but had limited seagoing capability, despite low freeboard. This class attempted too much on a limited displacement, but were still useful ships and a major step towards a more modern navy.
Design: Was of typical predreadnought layout, with the main turrets fore aft on the centerline. The 8" intermediate battery was in turrets, two per side, fore and aft. Freeboard was quite low, but the ships could operate even in heavy seas, although they could not fight in those conditions. Were relatively slow.
Modernization: During 1905-1909 the ships underwent limited modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements. The 6" guns, most of the 6-pound guns, and the torpedo tubes were removed, 12 3"/50cal were added, cage mainmasts were installed, and the ships were reboilered with 8 new boilers.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Were obsolete by the early 1900's, and served mainly as training ships after that time, but were not finally discarded until the post-WWI fleet downsizing.
Operated around New England through 1898. Served in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War. Participated in the Battle of Santiago, 3 July 1898; received no damage. Postwar operated with the fleet, then made one Naval Academy training cruise. Decommissioned to reserve 29 December 1903.
Recommissioned as a Naval Academy training ship 9 January 1906. Decommissioned to reserve 23 May 1914. Recommissioned as a gunnery training ship 24 May 1917. Decommissioned 31 January 1919; renamed Coast Battleship Number 1 29 March 1919. Designated IX (no number) 17 July 1920. Sunk as bombing target 1 November 1920. The sunken hulk was sold for scrapping 19 March 1924.
Overhauled at New York Navy Yard 30 November 1896 to February 1897, then operated in the Atlantic and along the east coast. Served in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War. Was at Guantanamo Bay during the Battle of Santiago, but returned to Santiago at the conclusion of the battle. Operated with the fleet postwar; made one Naval Academy training cruise. Overhauled at New York Navy Yard mid-1904 to January 1905, then returned to the fleet. Decommissioned to reserve 8 January 1906.
Underwent modernization refit in 1906, while in reserve. Recommissioned to reserve as a training ship 2 May 1910. Made three cruises 1910-1912, but was mostly inactive after 1912. Decommissioned to reserve 23 May 1914. Recommissioned as a gunnery training ship 9 June 1917; served as a target ship from June 1918 into 1919.
Renamed Coast Battleship Number 2 28 March 1919; decommissioned 31 March 1919. Designation BB 2 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 22 November 1920. Loaned to the War Department; scuttled off Pensacola for use as artillery target 6 January 1921. The sunken hulk was returned to the Navy 20 February 1925; was offered for sale as scrap but was not sold. The hulk was declared the property of the state of Florida 15 November 1956.
Served briefly on Pacific Station. Dispatched to the US east coast shortly after Maine blew up; departed San Francisco 19 March 1898, arrived Florida 24 May 1898, via Cape Horn. Served in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War. Participated in the Battle of Santiago, 3 July 1898; received no damage. Returned to the Pacific postwar, and operated in the Far East.
Grounded 28 June 1900 in Chinese waters; refloated 5 July 1900 and repaired at Kure, Japan. Returned to the US for overhaul 1901; returned to Asian waters 1903. Returned to the US in 1906 and decommissioned to reserve 27 April 1906.
Recommissioned 29 August 1911 but remained mostly inactive in reserve; reduced to commissioned reserve 16 September 1914. Placed in full commission 2 January 1915; reduced to commissioned reserve 11 February 1916. Placed in full commission 7 April 1917. Decommissioned to reserve 12 June 1919. Recommissioned for ceremonial duties 21 August 1919; decommissioned 4 October 1919.
Designation BB 3 assigned 17 July 1920; redesignated IX 22 1 July 1921. Rendered incapable of service under the Washington Treaty; reclassified as a naval relic 4 January 1924. Loaned to the state of Oregon as a museum 25 June 1925, moored at Portland.
Voluntarily returned to Navy by the state of Oregon 17 February 1941 for "coastal or other defense use." Deemed useless by the Navy and stricken for disposal 2 November 1942. Sold for scrapping 7 December 1942, partially scrapped (cut down to the main deck and the interior gutted), but returned to the Navy September 1943 for use as an explosives storage hulk at Guam. Was not assigned a name or designation when returned.
Drifted to sea during typhoon 14-15 November 1948 and given up as lost, but was relocated 8 December 1948 and towed to port. Sold for scrapping 15 March 1956, resold, and subsequently scrapped at Kawasaki, Japan.
Concept/Program: A vastly improved battleship, designed as a "seagoing coastline battleship"; was the first truly seagoing US battleship. However, her main armament was relatively weak, and she became outdated quite quickly.
Design: Similar to the Indiana class in general arrangement. Had very high freeboard for better seakeeping. Main and intermediate battery arrangement was the same as the previous class, but the guns were 12", rather than 13", and light guns were entirely different. The armor was somewhat thinner, and she was slightly faster.
Modernization: In 1909 the ship underwent limited modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements. Most of the 6-pound guns were removed, four 4" guns were added, and a cage mainmast was installed. The torpedo tubes had been previously removed.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Obsolete by the early 1900's, and served mainly as a training ship after that time, but not finally discarded until the post-WWI fleet downsizing.
Placed in reduced commission as a receiving ship 28 April 1917; later served as a training ship and guardship. Decommissioned 31 March 1919; renamed Coast Battleship Number 4 30 April 1919. Designation IX 6 assigned 17 July 1920; converted to a radio controlled target ship. Sunk by gunfire 23 March 1923, stricken 27 March 1923.
Concept/Program: A new, slightly larger battleship design, more heavily armed than the previous class, but not very successful. Freeboard was much higher than previously, but there were a number of design flaws which limited the value of these ships. Both ships participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, but were the oldest ships to do so, and were very poorly regarded during the cruise.
Design: General arrangement was typical of predreadnoughts, with the main turrets on the centerline fore and aft. The 8" intermediate turrets were built in a two-level arrangement atop the 13" turrets; the entire assembly rotated together. This arrangement provided the same 8" firepower on the broadside as did previous arrangements, but with half as many 8" guns. In all other respects, however, the arrangement was a complete failure, because the 8" and 13" guns interfered with each other when firing, and it proved impossible to devise a workable firing sequence. There were very heavy secondary and light batteries in broadside mountings. The armor was quite heavy, but the main belt was almost entirely submerged, limiting its value. The ships were bad rollers and very bad gun platforms, and were relatively slow. They were the first US battleships to make extensive use of electrical auxiliary equipment.
Modernization: During 1909-1911 the ships underwent modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements. Most of the 6-pound guns were removed, four additional 5" were added, cage foremasts and mainmasts were fitted, and the ships were reboilered. The torpedo tubes had been removed previously. By 1919 all but 8 of the 5" had been removed, and 2 3 inch AA had been added.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Reduced to training and subsidiary duties by 1915, and were discarded in the post-WWI fleet reductions.
Operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Suffered minor damage and 10 fatalities in a powder explosion 13 April 1906. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Decommissioned for modernization at Philadelphia Navy Yard 4 September 1909; apparently placed in reserve upon completion of modernization; recommissioned 23 June 1915.
Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1915-1916. Reduced to commissioned reserve 4 February 1916 as a training ship for the Massachusetts and Maine Naval Militias. Operated as a training ship for engineers and armed guard crews during WWI, then as a Naval Academy training ship in 1919.
Decommissioned for conversion to a crane ship at Philadelphia Navy Yard 10 May 1920. Assigned designation IX 16 17 July 1920; additional name Crane Ship Number 1 assigned 5 August 1920. During the conversion the ship was completely stripped and gutted; all armament, machinery, superstructure, etc. removed; very large bulges, a 250 ton rotating crane, and a small superstructure were fitted; displacement was 10,000 tons. Date of conversion completion not known.
Redesignated AB 1 15 April 1939. Name Kearsarge cancelled 6 November 1941; thereafter known as Crane Ship Number 1 (AB 1). Operated on the east coast until 1945, then at San Francisco 1945-1948, and at Boston thereafter. Stricken for disposal 22 June 1955; sold for scrapping 9 August 1955.
Deployed to Asiatic Station upon completion; operated in the Far East until 1904. Overhauled at New York Navy Yard May-October 1904, then operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909.
Decommissioned to reserve 28 August 1909, modernized at Norfolk Navy Yard 1910 but not recommissioned. Placed in commissioned reserve 4 June 1912; decommissioned to reserve 31 May 1913. Recommissioned 23 June 1915 as a training ship for the New York and Maine Naval Militias, then participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1915-1916. Served as a recruit training ship during WWI, then as a Naval Academy training ship postwar.
Decommissioned 29 May 1920. Designation BB 6 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 27 May 1922, sold for scrapping 23 March 1923 under the Washington Treaty.
Concept/Program: A completely new design, although no larger than the previous class. These ships were much better than any of the previous classes, and were generally successful.
Design: Typical predreadnought arrangement. Had very high freeboard forward for good seakeeping. Speed was still only 16 knots; the two funnels were side-by-side, giving the appearance of only one funnel in profile. The main battery was in modern British-style turrets. The heavy 8" intermediate battery previously fitted in US battleships was not included. The 6" secondary battery was in casemates midships and in sponsons forward.
Modernization: During 1909-1912 the ships underwent modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements. All but 4 of the 6-pound guns were removed, four 3"/50cal were added, cage foremasts and mainmasts were fitted, and Illinois was reboilered. The torpedo tubes had been removed previously. By 1919 all but 8 of the 6" had been removed, and 2 3 inch AA had been added.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Reduced to training and subsidiary duties by 1912 and were discarded in the post-WWI fleet reductions.
Operated in European waters through 1903, then in the Atlantic Fleet. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Decommissioned for modernization at Boston Navy Yard 4 August 1909; placed in commissioned reserve 15 April 1915; placed in full commission 2 November 1912. Operated as a Naval Academy training ship during the summers of 1913-1914. Decommissioned to reserve 1919.
Designation BB 7 assigned 17 July 1920. Loaned to the state of New York 25 October 1921; redesignated IX 15 26 June 1922. Reduced to a stationary floating armory and drill ship at New York Navy Yard during 1924, under the terms of the Washington Treaty. Renamed Prairie State 8 January 1941. Served as a stationary training ship during WWII, then as an accommodations ship postwar.
Stricken for disposal 21 December 1956, sold 18 May 1956, and scrapped at Baltimore.
Operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Overhauled at Philadelphia Navy Yard September-December 1904. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1908, but dropped out of the cruise in 1908 due to mechanical problems; completed an independent world cruise after repairs at Mare Island Navy Yard. Reduced to commissioned reserve 3 November 1908; decommissioned for modernization at New York Navy Yard 17 August 1909. Recommissioned to commissioned reserve 17 April 1912; placed in full commission 25 July 1912.
Reduced to commissioned reserve 10 September 1912 as a naval militia training ship. Decommissioned to reserve 31 October 1913; placed in commissioned reserve 1 July 1914. Recommissioned 22 January 1917 as a recruit training ship; served as a Naval Academy training ship postwar.
Was inactive after August 1919. Decommissioned 7 May 1902, stricken for disposal 15 September 1921 and transferred to the War Department for use as a target. Sunk as a bombing target 27 September 1921. The sunken hulk was sold for scrapping 19 March 1924.
Operated mainly along the west coast of North and South America 1901-1903, then on Asiatic Station, 1903-1906. Decommissioned at Puget Sound Navy Yard 15 November 1906, probably for overhaul; recommissioned 1 April 1908. Joined the cruise of the Great White Fleet in 1908. Remained in the Atlantic following the cruise. Modernized at Portsmouth Navy Yard March-June 1909.
Reduced to commissioned reserve early 1910; briefly active 1912 but returned to commissioned reserve. Decommissioned to reserve 31 October 1913. Recommissioned to commissioned reserve 1915 as a Naval Academy training ship; placed in full commission 23 April 1917. During WWI served as an engineering training ship.
Decommissioned 15 May 1920. Designation BB 9 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 1 July 1921, sold for scrapping 26 January 1922 under Washington Treaty.
Concept/Program: A significant improvement upon previous classes; introduced several new features to US battleship designs. Generally successful, although rapidly made obsolete by the dreadnoughts.
Design: Were considerably faster than previous designs, as a response to the perceived threat of Russian fast battleships. Were the first US battleships to use high-velocity main guns, and the first with KC armor, which allowed equal protection with thinner armor. As with the previous class, there was no 8" intermediate battery. The 6" guns were arranged as in the previous class. The ships were unfortunately rather wet, despite high freeboard.
Modernization: During 1909-1911 the ships underwent modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements; cage foremasts and mainmasts were fitted, and Maine was reboilered. By 1919 all but 8 of the 6" and all of the 3" had been removed, and 2 3 inch AA had been added.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Reduced to training and subsidiary duties by 1915 and were discarded in the post-WWI fleet reductions.
Operated in the Atlantic and in European waters. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1908, but dropped out of the cruise in 1908 due to mechanical problems; completed an independent world cruise after repairs at Mare Island Navy Yard. Decommissioned for modernization at Portsmouth Navy Yard 31 August 1909; completed and recommissioned 15 June 1911.
During WWI served as a Naval Academy, armed guard, and engineering training ship. Decommissioned 15 May 1920. Designation BB 10 assigned 17 July 1920. Sold for scrapping 22 January 1922 under the Washington Treaty.
Operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Suffered significant damage and 36 fatalities in a powder explosion 13 April 1904; repaired at Newport News. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Underwent partial modernization 1909. Decommissioned to reserve for full modernization at Boston 1 May 1910; recommissioned and completed 1 June 1911.
From 1912 to 1917 was assigned as a training ship, primarily for the Naval Academy, and was decommissioned to reserve when not needed for that function; was in reserve for the following periods: 9 September 1912 to 16 March 1914, 2 December 1914 to 15 April 1915, 18 October 1915 to 2 May 1916, late 1916 to 23 April 1917. During WWI served as an engineering and gunnery training ship for US recruits, foreign crews, and armed guards. Postwar operated as a transport.
Decommissioned 8 September 1919. Designation BB 11 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 1 July 1921, sold for scrapping 26 January 1922 under the Washington Treaty.
Served on Asiatic Station 1905-1907. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized 1909. During 1909-1913 served mainly as a training ship for the New York Naval Militia, but was also active with the fleet. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914. Served as a Naval Academy training ship during the summers of 1914, 1915 and 1916; was reduced to commissioned reserve during the winters of 1914-1915, 1915-1916, and 1916-1917. Placed in full commission 23 April 1917.
Served as a training ship throughout WWI. Reduced to commissioned reserve 7 January 1919. Designation BB 12 assigned 17 July 1920. Decommissioned 31 May 1922, stricken for disposal 14 August 1922, sold for scrapping 24 March 1923 under the Washington Treaty.
Concept/Program: Significantly larger, more capable battleships; in general all capabilities were improved as compared to the previous class. Unfortunately they were completed just as the dreadnoughts came into existence, so they were instantly obsolete.
Design: Essentially an enlarged and improved version of the previous class. These ships re-introduced the 8" intermediate battery; unfortunately half the 8" guns were in unworkable double-level turrets, as in Kearsarge. The other four 8" guns were in independent turrets, as in Indiana. The 6" secondary battery was placed in casemates. These ships reached 19 knots, one knot better than the previous class.
Modernization: During 1909-1910 the ships underwent modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements; cage foremasts and mainmasts were fitted, and the 3-pound guns were removed. By 1919 all of the 6" and four of the 3" had been removed, and 2 3 inch AA had been added; Virginia and Georgia had been reboilered with 12 boilers.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Reduced to reserve or training duties by 1916 and were discarded in the post-WWI fleet reductions.
Served with the Atlantic Fleet. Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized at Norfolk Navy Yard February-June 1909. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914. Reduced to commissioned reserve for overhaul at Boston Navy Yard 20 March 1916; completed and placed in full commission 27 August 1917. Served as a gunnery training ship during WWI, and briefly as an escort; served as a transport postwar.
Was inactive after July 1919. Designation BB 13 assigned 17 July 1920. Decommissioned 13 August 1920, stricken for disposal 12 July 1922. Transferred to the War Department as a target 6 August 1923; sunk as a bombing target 5 September 1923.
Joined the cruise of the Great White Fleet in 1908. Remained in the Atlantic after the cruise. Underwent partial modernization prior to full modernization. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914 and 1916. Reduced to commissioned reserve late 1916; placed in full commission 3 April 1917. During WWI operated as a training ship for armed guard crews, and as an escort; served as a transport postwar.
Returned to the Pacific in 1919. Decommissioned 2 July 1920. Designation BB 14 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 12 July 1922, rendered incapable of service 9 November 1923, sold for scrapping 30 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty.
Operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Suffered minor damage and 10 fatalities in a powder explosion 15 July 1907. Refitted at Philadelphia Navy Yard late 1907, then participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized 1910. Operated mainly as a training and ceremonial ship, 1911-1913. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914.
Overhauled late 1914-early 1915; spent most of 1915 in training and ceremonial duties. Decommissioned 27 January 1916 as a receiving ship at Boston. Recommissioned for WWI service 6 April 1917; operated with the fleet, as a merchant gunnery crew training ship, and as a convoy escort during WWI. Served as a troop transport postwar, then transferred to the Pacific, and operated in ceremonial duties. Was inactive after 20 July 1919. Decommissioned 15 July 1920, stricken for disposal 12 July 1922, sold for scrapping 1 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty.
Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Decommissioned for modernization at Boston Navy Yard 2 May 1910; completed and recommissioned 15 July 1911. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914. Served as a training ship during WWI, and as a transport postwar.
Decommissioned 6 August 1920. Designation BB 16 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 12 July 1922. Transferred to the War Department as a target; sunk as bombing target 5 September 1922.
Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized 1909. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1913-1914. Reduced to commissioned reserve 15 May 1915. Placed in full commission 27 May 1917; participated in antisubmarine patrols and trials. Operated as a transport postwar, then transferred to the Pacific in 1919.
Decommissioned 30 June 1920. Designation BB 17 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 12 July 1922, rendered incapable of service 4 October 1923. Sold for scrapping 1 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty.
Concept/Program: By far the best of the US predreadnoughts. However, they were completed at the same time as HMS Dreadnought, so they were obsolete upon completion. Even so, they formed the core of the US battle fleet until new dreadnoughts joined the fleet in significant numbers. The ships were ordered in three groups: BB 18-19 in 1902, BB 20-22 in 1903, and BB 25 in 1904. The 1903/1904 ships are sometimes considered a separate class, due to differences in armoring details, but were otherwise identical to the 1902 group.
Design: An enlarged and improved edition of the previous design. The speed was one knot lower, but the armament was heavier. For the first time in US predreadnought design, they were truly good sea boats. The 8" intermediate battery was in four turrets, as in Indiana, the previous double-level arrangement having been abandoned. The secondary battery was increased to 7"; this seemed justified, in that the 7" was a more powerful weapon than the 6", but still must faster-firing than the big 8". Unfortunately the splashes of 7" and 8" shells were indistinguishable for fire-control purposes, reducing the value of both batteries; a more uniform battery of turreted 7" or 8" would have been better.
Variations: BB 20-22 had thinner belt armor, but a larger area was protected; BB 25 continued this alteration, and had slight differences in the armoring of her barbettes.
Modernization: During 1909-1910 the ships underwent modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements; cage foremasts and mainmasts were fitted, and the 3-pound guns were removed. By 1919 all of the 7" and all but four of the 3" had been removed, and 2 3 inch AA had been added.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Reduced to reserve or training duties during WWI and were discarded in the post-WWI fleet reductions.
Was the flagship of the Great White Fleet during the world cruise, 1907-1909. Modernized 1910; remained active with the fleet through 1916. Reduced to commissioned reserve as a receiving ship at Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1916. Restored to full commission 3 October 1916. Served as a Naval Academy and armed guard training ship during WWI; as a transport postwar, then as a Naval Academy training ship.
Designation BB 18 assigned 17 July 1920. Transferred to the Pacific in 1921 as flagship of the fleet auxiliary force. Decommissioned 1 March 1923, sold for scrapping 1 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty, officially stricken 10 November 1923, after she had been sold.
Operated with the Atlantic Fleet, then participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized 1910. Cruised to European waters, then made three cruises off Mexico, including participation in operations at Vera Cruz, 1914. Reduced to commissioned reserve as a training ship late 1915; made summer training cruises but was otherwise inactive.
Placed in full commission 1917 as a gunnery and engineering training ship; also made one trip as an escort, and served as a transport postwar. Designation BB 19 assigned 17 July 1920. Decommissioned 20 October 1920, sold for scrapping 1 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty, officially stricken 10 November 1923, after she had been sold.
Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized at Boston Navy Yard April-July 1910. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914. Briefly in reserve, 1 October 1916 to 21 November 1916. Served as an engineering training ship during WWI, and as a transport postwar. Transferred to the Pacific in 1919.
Decommissioned 30 June 1920. Designation BB 20 assigned 17 July 1920. Stricken for disposal 10 November 1923, sold for scrapping 30 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty.
Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Overhauled at Philadelphia Navy Yard 1909, then modernized at Norfolk Navy Yard 1910; apparently remained mostly inactive through 1912. Operated as a Naval Academy training ship 1912, then overhauled at Philadelphia Navy Yard 21 December 1912 to 5 May 1913.
Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914. Overhauled at Philadelphia Navy Yard 30 September 1916-July 1917. Operated as a training ship for engineers and as a convoy escort during WWI; served as a troopship postwar. Overhauled at Philadelphia Navy Yard 29 June 1919 to 17 May 1920. Operated as a Naval Academy training ship at times during 1920-1921. Designation BB 21 assigned 17 July 1920.
Decommissioned 16 Decemeber 1921, stricken 24 August 1923, scrapped at Philadelphia Navy Yard under the Washington Treaty.
Participated in the cruise of the Great White Fleet, 1907-1909. Modernized 1909, then operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Reduced to commissioned reserve November 1916. Placed in full commission 6 April 1917 as an engineering and gunnery training ship. Seriously damaged by a mine 29 September 1918; repaired at Philadelphia Navy Yard through February 1919. Operated as a transport postwar, then as a training ship, mainly for the Naval Academy. Designation BB 22 assigned 17 July 1920.
Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 December 1921 and partially scrapped at Philadelphia Navy Yard under the Washington Treaty; remaining hulk sold for scrap 23 January 1924.
Completed too late to participate in the cruise of the Great White Fleet. Operated with the Atlantic Fleet; saw varied duty in US and European waters, and in the Caribbean. Modernized 1910 or 1911. Participated in operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914-1915. Overhauled 1917. During WWI operated as a gunnery and engineering training ship, and briefly as an escort; postwar served as a transport.
Overhauled 1919-1920, then served with the fleet. Designation BB 25 assigned 17 July 1920. Decommissioned 21 May 1921, sold for scrapping 1 November 1923 under the Washington Treaty, officially stricken 10 November 1923, after she had been sold.
Concept/Program: An attempt to build Connecticut class features into a ship displacing 3,000 tons less; not a success. Completed after HMS Dreadnought, so were instantly obsolete. Due to their obsolescence and problems with the design, they were sold in 1914, after only six years of service.
Design: Essentially a cut-down Connecticut design, giving up one knot of speed, four 7" guns, eight 3" guns, two torpedo tubes, and some freeboard. The resulting ships were too slow, and rolled very badly. Originally there was no mainmast.
Modernization: Cage mainmasts were fitted in 1909, and during 1911 the ships underwent limited modernization as part of fleet-wide improvements; as part of this modernization cage foremasts were fitted.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Sold in 1914 to pay for a new dreadnought.
Operated in the Caribbean and cruised up the Mississippi River in 1909. Modernized 1911; landed troops in Cuba 1912. Reduced to commissioned reserve 1 August 1912. Placed in full commission 30 December 1913 as an aviation station ship at Pensacola; modified to support seaplanes. Served as a seaplane support ship during operations at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914.
Decommissioned, stricken, and transferred to Greece 21 July 1914 at Newport News; renamed Lemnos and served as a coast defense ship. Decommissioned 1932 and hulked as a training ship; disarmed as accommodation ship 1937. Sunk by German aircraft at Salamis, 23 April 1941. Hulk salvaged 1951 and scrapped.
Operated with the Atlantic Fleet. Cruised up the Mississippi in 1911. Reduced to commissioned reserve 27 October 1913; returned to full commission May 1914 as a Naval Academy training ship.
Decommissioned, stricken, and transferred to Greece 30 July 1914 at Villefrance, France; renamed Kilkis and served as a coast defense ship. Decommissioned to reserve 1932; hulked as a training ship 1935. Sunk by German aircraft at Salamis, 23 April 1941. Hulk salvaged 1951 and scrapped.
