Pennsylvania class
USS PENNSYLVANIA
As an element of the US Navy’s standard-type battleship progression, the Pennsylvania-class ships met the criteria for features but were much larger than those of preceding classes. With an overall length of 608ft, she was 25ft longer than the Nevada, her standard beam without anti-torpedo bulges was 5ft wider at
97ft, and she sat incredibly lower in the water with a full load draft of 29ft 3in. Pennsylvania weighed in at 31,917 tonnes, more than 4,000 tonnes heavier other US battleships. She boasted 12 x 14in guns, 22 x 5in guns mounted in four triple turrets, and was fitted with armour like that of the Nevada class.
The propulsion plant design had also been updated to include 12 Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers producing steam to push four direct-drive Curtis steam turbine sets to operate the 4 x 12ft diameter propellers. As heavy as the ship was, she could reach a top speed of 21 knots. Secondary firepower was provided by 22 x .51cal 5in guns mounted in individual casemates in the sides of the ship’s hull, and four .50cal 3in guns for anti-aircraft protection. Pennsylvania was also fitted with two below-the-waterline torpedo tubes. Unlike many other American battleships, Pennsylvania did not participate directly in WWI activities, since the necessary fuel oil was not as readily available as coal.
Her modernisation was completed in May 1931 when she received tripod masts, enhancements to the combat systems, a larger conning tower, thicker deck and turret roof armour, anti-torpedo bulges, modern turbo-generators, the latest turbines, and replacement boilers. To increase the range of her main guns, the turrets were modified to allow the barrels to elevate into the 30° position and the number of her secondary battery 5in guns was reduced to 12, with her 3in antiaircraft guns replaced with eight 5in/25 guns. Since she served as a flagship, her bridge was enlarged along with her living spaces being modified to accommodate 2,037 crew members that included the Marines that would be stationed aboard, and lastly, the ship was fitted with two seaplane catapults.
Pennsylvania was in the drydock during the attack on Pearl Harbor and because of minimal damage, was repaired relatively quickly. She also had many anti-aircraft guns installed prior to participating in the recapture of Attu, Alaska in May 1943, and Kiska in August.
From November 1943 until the following September, she participated in the assault on the Gilbert Islands, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and in June and July, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. She provided support for the amphibious landings on Peleliu in September 1944 and again at Leyte in October. During that battle, the Japanese
USS Pennsylvania
Class: Pennsylvania
Displacement: 39,224 tonnes
Length: 608ft
Beam: 97ft 1in
Draft: 28ft 11in
Speed: 21 knots
Range: 8,691 miles
Crew: 2,037 men
Armament: 12 × 14in/.45cal guns • 16 × 5in • 40 × 40mm (1.6in) Bofors guns • 51 × 20mm (0.79in) Oerlikon guns
Armour: Deck - 3in, Waterline belt - 13.5in