USS Washington (BB-56)

USS Washington (BB-56) was a North Carolina-class battleship built by the Newport News Shipbuilding company and commissioned by the United States Navy on May 15, 1941, under the command of Captain Howard H. J. Benson. The ship was named after the state of Washington, which is known for its rich history, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Oregon Trail. The USS Washington (BB-56) played a significant role in World War II, participating in several key battles, including the Battle of the Atlantic and the Guadalcanal Campaign, alongside other notable ships like the USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS South Dakota (BB-57), and HMS Victorious (R38).

● Design and Construction

The USS Washington (BB-56) was designed by the United States Navy Bureau of Ships and constructed at the Newport News Shipbuilding company in Virginia, with the keel laid on June 14, 1938. The ship's design was influenced by the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty, which imposed restrictions on the size and armament of battleships. The USS Washington (BB-56) was equipped with nine 16-inch (406 mm) guns, which were designed by the United States Army Ordnance Corps and manufactured by the Bethlehem Steel company. The ship's propulsion system was designed by the General Electric company and consisted of eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four General Electric turbines, which provided a top speed of over 28 knots. The USS Washington (BB-56) was also equipped with advanced radar systems, including the SG radar and the SK radar, which were developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Bell Labs.

● Service History

The USS Washington (BB-56) was commissioned on May 15, 1941, at the Newport News Shipbuilding company, with Captain Howard H. J. Benson as its first commanding officer. The ship underwent a series of sea trials and shakedown cruises in the Atlantic Ocean, visiting ports such as Norfolk, Virginia, New York City, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The USS Washington (BB-56) was assigned to the United States Atlantic Fleet and participated in several exercises and maneuvers, including the Fleet Problem XXI, which involved the USS Iowa (BB-61), USS New Jersey (BB-62), and HMS King George V (41). The ship also visited several foreign ports, including Scapa Flow in Scotland and Greenock in Scotland, where it was inspected by the British Royal Family, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

● Operational Career

The USS Washington (BB-56) played a significant role in World War II, participating in several key battles and campaigns, including the Battle of the Atlantic, the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. The ship was part of Task Force 39, which was commanded by Admiral John W. Wilcox Jr. and included the USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS South Dakota (BB-57), and HMS Victorious (R38). The USS Washington (BB-56) also participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, where it was part of Task Force 58, which was commanded by Admiral Marc Mitscher and included the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), USS Wasp (CV-18), and HMS Indomitable (R92). The ship received several awards and decorations for its service, including the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal, which were presented by the United States Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal.

● Fate

The USS Washington (BB-56) was decommissioned on June 27, 1947, at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Pennsylvania and was placed in the United States Navy reserve fleets. The ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on June 1, 1960, and was sold for scrap on May 24, 1961, to the Lipsett Division of the Luria Brothers company. The USS Washington (BB-56) was broken up at the Todd Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, with the scrapping process completed in 1962. The ship's legacy lives on, with several of its artifacts and memorabilia on display at the United States Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, and the National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C., which are operated by the United States Navy and the Smithsonian Institution. The USS Washington (BB-56) is also remembered through several naval history books and documentaries, including those produced by the History Channel and the National Geographic Society, which feature interviews with notable historians, including Samuel Eliot Morison and Stephen Ambrose. Category:World War II battleships of the United States