USS Nevada (BB-36)

USS Nevada (BB-36) was a United States Navy battleship that served during World War I and World War II. The ship was named after the Nevada state and was the lead ship of her class of battleships, which included the USS Oklahoma (BB-37), USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and USS Arizona (BB-39). The USS Nevada (BB-36) was built at the Fore River Shipyard in Massachusetts and was launched on July 11, 1914, sponsored by Miss Eleanor Anne Seibert, the daughter of Governor Tasker Oddie of Nevada. The ship was commissioned on March 11, 1916, with Captain William S. Sims in command, and was later commanded by notable officers such as Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. and Admiral Raymond A. Spruance.

● Design and Construction

The USS Nevada (BB-36) was designed to be a powerful addition to the United States Pacific Fleet, with a main armament of 14-inch guns and a top speed of over 20 knots. The ship was constructed with a tripod mast and a lattice mast, and was equipped with fire-control systems designed by Elmer Sperry and Hannibal Ford. The USS Nevada (BB-36) was also one of the first battleships to be equipped with anti-torpedo bulges, which were designed to protect the ship from torpedo attacks. The ship's design was influenced by the Dreadnought-style battleships of the Royal Navy, such as the HMS Dreadnought and the HMS Queen Mary, and was also compared to other battleships of the time, including the German battleship Kaiser and the Japanese battleship Nagato.

● Service History

The USS Nevada (BB-36) served in the Atlantic Fleet during World War I, and was later transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1919. The ship participated in several fleet exercises and training cruises, including the Fleet Problem I and the Fleet Problem II, and was also used as a flagship by Admiral Hugh Rodman and Admiral William D. Leahy. The USS Nevada (BB-36) also made several port visits to foreign ports, including Plymouth, England, Cherbourg, France, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and was visited by notable figures such as King George V and President Woodrow Wilson. The ship was also involved in the Nicaraguan Campaign and the Haitian Campaign, and was later commanded by Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral Ernest King.

● World War II

The USS Nevada (BB-36) was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the United States Pacific Fleet. The ship was damaged during the attack, but was able to get underway and escape to sea. The USS Nevada (BB-36) later participated in the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of Iwo Jima, and was also used as a training ship for naval gunnery and amphibious warfare. The ship was commanded by notable officers such as Admiral Raymond Spruance and Admiral Marc Mitscher, and was also involved in the Marshall Islands campaign and the Mariana Islands campaign. The USS Nevada (BB-36) was also supported by other ships and aircraft, including the USS Enterprise (CV-6), the USS Yorktown (CV-5), and the Grumman F4F Wildcat.

● Fate

The USS Nevada (BB-36) was decommissioned on August 29, 1946, and was later used as a target ship for nuclear testing at the Bikini Atoll. The ship was sunk on July 31, 1948, during the Operation Crossroads tests, and was later replaced by the USS Iowa (BB-61) and the USS Missouri (BB-63). The USS Nevada (BB-36) was also remembered for its service during World War I and World War II, and was awarded several battle stars and decorations, including the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. The ship's legacy was also honored by the United States Navy, and was remembered by notable figures such as Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral Ernest King.

● Specifications

The USS Nevada (BB-36) had a displacement of over 27,000 tons and was equipped with a main armament of 10-inch guns and 14-inch guns. The ship had a top speed of over 20 knots and was powered by geared turbines and boilers designed by General Electric and Babcock & Wilcox. The USS Nevada (BB-36) was also equipped with anti-aircraft guns and torpedo tubes, and was protected by armor plating and anti-torpedo bulges. The ship's specifications were similar to those of other battleships of the time, including the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) and the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and were also compared to those of foreign battleships, including the Japanese battleship Yamato and the German battleship Bismarck.

Category:United States Navy ships