Intro
Discover the mighty Iowa Class Battleships, the last battleships commissioned by the US Navy. Learn about their history, from World War II to the Gulf War, and explore their impressive specifications, including armament, propulsion, and crew. Get the inside scoop on these iconic warships and their enduring legacy in naval history.
The Iowa-class battleships are a class of six fast battleships built by the United States Navy during World War II. They were designed to be the largest and most powerful warships in the world, and they played a significant role in the war in the Pacific. The Iowa-class battleships were also notable for their high speed, which allowed them to keep up with the fast aircraft carriers of the time.
The Iowa-class battleships were designed in the 1930s, and the first ship of the class, USS Iowa (BB-61), was laid down in 1940. The other five ships of the class were USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Missouri (BB-63), USS Wisconsin (BB-64), USS Illinois (BB-65), and USS Kentucky (BB-66). However, the last two ships were canceled before completion due to the end of the war.
The Iowa-class battleships were designed to be capable of operating in the open ocean, and they were equipped with a range of advanced systems, including radar, sonar, and advanced fire control systems. They were also designed to be highly maneuverable, with a top speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h).
Design and Construction
The Iowa-class battleships were designed to be the largest and most powerful warships in the world. They were 860 feet (262 meters) long, with a beam of 108 feet (33 meters) and a draft of 29 feet (8.8 meters). They displaced over 45,000 tons of water, making them among the largest warships ever built.
The Iowa-class battleships were built with a range of advanced materials and systems, including a combination of armor plate and internal compartmentalization to protect against torpedo and shell damage. They were also equipped with advanced propulsion systems, including eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four General Electric turbines, which produced a combined 212,000 horsepower.
Armament
The Iowa-class battleships were equipped with a range of advanced armament, including nine 16-inch (406mm) guns, twenty 5-inch (127mm) guns, and eighty 40mm anti-aircraft guns. They also had a range of smaller anti-aircraft guns and machine guns.
The 16-inch guns were the main armament of the Iowa-class battleships, and they were capable of firing a range of shells, including armor-piercing, high-explosive, and incendiary rounds. The 5-inch guns were used for anti-aircraft defense and for engaging smaller ships.
Service History
The Iowa-class battleships played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater. They were used for a range of tasks, including gunfire support, anti-aircraft defense, and escorting aircraft carriers.
The USS Iowa (BB-61) was the first ship of the class to enter service, and she played a key role in the Allied invasion of Japan. The USS New Jersey (BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63) also saw extensive service during the war, while the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) was commissioned too late to see action.
Cold War and Later Service
After the end of World War II, the Iowa-class battleships continued to serve in the United States Navy. They were used for a range of tasks, including gunfire support and anti-aircraft defense.
The USS New Jersey (BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63) saw service during the Korean War, while the USS Iowa (BB-61) and USS Wisconsin (BB-64) were used during the Gulf War. The USS Illinois (BB-65) and USS Kentucky (BB-66) were canceled before completion and never entered service.
Specifications
Here are the specifications for the Iowa-class battleships:
- Length: 860 feet (262 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet (8.8 meters)
- Displacement: 45,000 tons
- Top speed: over 30 knots (56 km/h)
- Range: 14,890 nautical miles (27,600 km)
- Crew: 1,521 officers and men
- Armament:
- 9 x 16-inch (406mm) guns
- 20 x 5-inch (127mm) guns
- 80 x 40mm anti-aircraft guns
- Smaller anti-aircraft guns and machine guns
Gallery of Iowa-Class Battleships
Iowa-Class Battleships Image Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Iowa-class battleships were built?
+Six Iowa-class battleships were built, but only four entered service. The USS Illinois (BB-65) and USS Kentucky (BB-66) were canceled before completion.
What was the main armament of the Iowa-class battleships?
+The main armament of the Iowa-class battleships was nine 16-inch (406mm) guns.
What was the top speed of the Iowa-class battleships?
+The top speed of the Iowa-class battleships was over 30 knots (56 km/h).
In conclusion, the Iowa-class battleships were a class of six fast battleships built by the United States Navy during World War II. They were designed to be the largest and most powerful warships in the world, and they played a significant role in the war in the Pacific. The Iowa-class battleships were also notable for their high speed, which allowed them to keep up with the fast aircraft carriers of the time.