Intro
Explore the 10 largest US battleships of WW2, featuring behemoths like the Iowa and Montana classes. Discover their impressive specs, armaments, and roles in pivotal battles like Midway and Leyte Gulf. Learn about the design, development, and impact of these naval giants on the wars outcome, and how they shaped the course of American naval history.
The United States' involvement in World War II marked a significant turning point in the nation's history, with the country's naval power playing a crucial role in the Allied victory. Among the many warships that sailed into battle, the battleships stood out as the largest and most formidable vessels of their time. In this article, we will explore the 10 largest US battleships of World War II, highlighting their design, capabilities, and contributions to the war effort.
The US Navy's battleships were designed to engage enemy warships in direct combat, using their massive guns to inflict devastating damage. These ships were the epitome of naval power, with some of the largest and most advanced warships in the world at the time.
1. USS Iowa (BB-61)
The USS Iowa was the lead ship of the Iowa-class battleships, which were designed to be the fastest and most advanced battleships in the world. Commissioned in 1943, the USS Iowa played a key role in the Pacific Theater, participating in several major battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Specifications:
- Length: 887 feet 3 inches (270.5 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 45,000 tons
- Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 80 x 40mm guns, 49 x 20mm guns
2. USS Missouri (BB-63)
The USS Missouri was the third ship of the Iowa-class battleships and is perhaps most famous for being the site of the Japanese surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945. Commissioned in 1944, the USS Missouri saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Specifications:
- Length: 887 feet 3 inches (270.5 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 45,000 tons
- Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 80 x 40mm guns, 49 x 20mm guns
3. USS New Jersey (BB-62)
The USS New Jersey was the second ship of the Iowa-class battleships and was commissioned in 1943. The USS New Jersey saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Specifications:
- Length: 887 feet 3 inches (270.5 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 45,000 tons
- Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 80 x 40mm guns, 49 x 20mm guns
4. USS Wisconsin (BB-64)
The USS Wisconsin was the fourth and final ship of the Iowa-class battleships and was commissioned in 1944. The USS Wisconsin saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Okinawa.
Specifications:
- Length: 887 feet 3 inches (270.5 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 45,000 tons
- Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 80 x 40mm guns, 49 x 20mm guns
5. USS North Carolina (BB-55)
The USS North Carolina was the lead ship of the North Carolina-class battleships and was commissioned in 1941. The USS North Carolina saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Midway.
Specifications:
- Length: 729 feet 1 inch (222.1 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 4 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 30 feet 1 inch (9.2 meters)
- Displacement: 35,000 tons
- Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 14-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 60 x 40mm guns, 46 x 20mm guns
6. USS Washington (BB-56)
The USS Washington was the second ship of the North Carolina-class battleships and was commissioned in 1941. The USS Washington saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Specifications:
- Length: 729 feet 1 inch (222.1 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 4 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 30 feet 1 inch (9.2 meters)
- Displacement: 35,000 tons
- Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 14-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 60 x 40mm guns, 46 x 20mm guns
7. USS South Dakota (BB-57)
The USS South Dakota was the lead ship of the South Dakota-class battleships and was commissioned in 1942. The USS South Dakota saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands.
Specifications:
- Length: 680 feet 0 inches (207.3 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 35,000 tons
- Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 16 x 5-inch guns, 60 x 40mm guns, 52 x 20mm guns
8. USS Indiana (BB-58)
The USS Indiana was the second ship of the South Dakota-class battleships and was commissioned in 1942. The USS Indiana saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Tarawa.
Specifications:
- Length: 680 feet 0 inches (207.3 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 35,000 tons
- Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 16 x 5-inch guns, 60 x 40mm guns, 52 x 20mm guns
9. USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
The USS Massachusetts was the third ship of the South Dakota-class battleships and was commissioned in 1942. The USS Massachusetts saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of Kula Gulf.
Specifications:
- Length: 680 feet 0 inches (207.3 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 35,000 tons
- Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 16 x 5-inch guns, 60 x 40mm guns, 52 x 20mm guns
10. USS Alabama (BB-60)
The USS Alabama was the fourth and final ship of the South Dakota-class battleships and was commissioned in 1942. The USS Alabama saw action in the Pacific Theater, participating in several battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Specifications:
- Length: 680 feet 0 inches (207.3 meters)
- Beam: 108 feet 2 inches (33 meters)
- Draft: 29 feet 1 inch (8.9 meters)
- Displacement: 35,000 tons
- Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h)
- Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 16 x 5-inch guns, 60 x 40mm guns, 52 x 20mm guns
US Battleships Image Gallery
What was the largest US battleship of World War II?
+The USS Iowa (BB-61) was the largest US battleship of World War II, with a length of 887 feet 3 inches (270.5 meters) and a displacement of 45,000 tons.
How many battleships did the US Navy have during World War II?
+The US Navy had a total of 15 battleships during World War II, including the 10 largest battleships listed in this article.
What was the main role of US battleships during World War II?
+The main role of US battleships during World War II was to engage enemy warships in direct combat, using their massive guns to inflict devastating damage.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the 10 largest US battleships of World War II. These incredible warships played a significant role in the Allied victory, and their legacy continues to inspire awe and respect today.