North Carolina class
USS NORTH CAROLINA
When commissioned in April 1941, North Carolina was the first new battleship to join the fleet since 1921 and set a benchmark for innovative shipbuilding technology combining high speed with formidable armament. Sporting the nickname Showboat, she was the most successful US battleship of WWII earning 15 battle stars through participation in every major naval offensive in the Pacific and credited with kills of 24 aircraft, a merchantman, and the bombardment of nine Imperial Japanese strongholds. At 728ft 9in. North Carolina was 100ft longer than the Colorado class battleships and had a new construction beam of 108ft 4in with a deep draft of 32ft 11.5in. Her 44,800 tonnes full combat load was almost 2,500 tonnes heavier than her predecessor. The ships four propellers powered by four General Electric steam turbines gave the ship an amazing speed of 28 knots and a cruising range of 20,081 miles at a speed of 15 knots.
During the war years, North Carolina’s anti-aircraft battery was replaced with 50 x 1.6in Bofors guns in 10 quadruple mounts and 56 x 0.79in Oerlikon autocannon in single mounts.
Her task force departed on 15 July 1942 and, on 7 August, supported the invasion of Guadalcanal. Two weeks later she screened American carriers by supplying anti-aircraft support during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. Her superior performance during that engagement established her in the primary role of fast battleship and protector of flattops.
On 15 September, a Japanese submarine torpedoed and sunk the USS Wasp and the destroyer O’Brien and along with that, damaged North Carolina’s bow. By reacting quickly, the crew was able to save the ship from sinking and subsequent repairs were completed at Pearl.
After leaving Pearl Harbor, North Carolina spent much of 1943 in the Solomons providing defence for naval air operations until 10 November when she sailed for the Gilbert Islands to support the US Marine landings on Tarawa (2022 November). In early December, she shelled Nauru and screened the carrier USS Bunker Hill from Japanese forces when its aircraft attacked New Ireland in late December. She provided fire support for troops during the Battle of Kwajalein in late January and in February, protected the carriers while their planes raided the Japanese stronghold at Truk and the Marianas.
In mid-June, North Carolina supported the Battle of Saipan and protected carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19-20 June. She then departed for
Puget Sound Navy Yard and an overhaul. Once completed, she joined the task force invading Ulithi on7 November.
North Carolina supported operations against Japanese targets in the
Philippines and subsequently screened carrier attacks against Formosa, Indochina and the Ryukyus. After escorting carriers on a February 1945 raid on Honshu, she provided fire support for the landings during the Battle of Iwo Jima. In April, the battleship shelled Okinawa during the invasion and shot down several kamikaze planes.
She received a short refit after the battle and sailed into Japanese waters providing protection for the many carriers conducting airstrikes and shelled what remained of the industrial targets along the coast. After Japan surrendered, part of the crew and Marine Detachment were sent ashore for preliminary occupation duty and North Carolina anchored in Tokyo Bay for the
USS North Carolina / USS Washington
Class: North Carolina
Displacement: 44,800 tonnes
Length: 728ft 9in
Beam: 108ft 4in
Draft: 32ft
Speed: 28 knots
Range: 20,081 miles
Crew: 1,800 men
Armament: 9 × 16in guns • 20 × 5in dualpurpose guns • 50 x 1.6in Bofors guns in 10 quadruple mounts • 56 x 0.79in Oerlikon autocannon in single mounts • 18 × .50cal machineguns
Armour: Deck - 5.5in, Waterline belt - 12in