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| USN North Carolina-class battleship 35,000 Tons (standard) 44,800 Tons (full load) 728' 9" x 108' 4" x 32' 11.5" 9 × 16" 45 cal Mark 6 guns 16 × 5" 38 cal guns 16 x 1.1" AA guns 18 x .50 cal MG 3 x OS2U Kingfisher 2 x catapults |
Ship History Built by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia. Laid down June 14, 1938 as a North Carolina-class battleship. Launched June 1, 1940 as USS Washington named for Washington State. Commissioned May 15, 1941 in the U.S. Navy (USN). Afterwards, underwent fitting out. On August 3, 1941 began sea trials off the east coast and inside the Gulf of Mexico but suffered excessive vibration from her screws at high speed and failed to reach her designated top speed and underwent testing with USS North Carolina (BB-55) completed by December 1941. Assigned to Battleship Division 6 (BatDiv 6) in the Atlantic Fleet and became the flagship of of Rear Admiral John W. Wilcox Jr. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, assigned to Task Force 39 (TF 39). Modifications to the screws continuing until February 1942 that failed to fully correct the vibration issue. On March 26, 1942 departs with USS Wasp (CV-7), USS Wichita (CA-45) and USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) bound for Scapa Flow to reinforce the British Home Fleet. PARTIAL HISTORY On November 13, 1942 joins battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) and destroyers USS Preston (DD-379), USS Walke (DD-418), USS Benham (DD-397) and USS Gwin (DD-433) to form Task Force 64 (TF-64) under command of Admiral Willis A. "Ching" Lee. On November 14, 1942 at 11:30pm with a quarter moon and good visibility, the force was operating 50 miles southwest of Guadalcanal when Admiral Willis A. "Ching" Lee learned an enemy convoy was scheduled to pass through Savo Strait sometime overnight in the early morning. This was the Japanese bombardment group under the command of Admiral Nobutake Kondo including battleship Kirishima, heavy cruisers Takao and Atago plus screening destroyers divided into three section: the bombardment group; a close screen of the cruiser Nagara and six destroyers; and a distant screen of the cruiser Sendai and three destroyers in the van of the other forces. At 11:00pm radar aboard USS Washington (BB-56) spots the Japanese force including Sendai, but did not detect the other groups of Japanese ships. At 11:17pm the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal commences. From the bridge of South Dakota, three ships were visually spotted at a range of 18,100 yards and Washington opened fire on the lead ship believed to be a battleship or heavy cruiser. Her initial salvos caused fires on the targets. At the conclusion of the battle, withdraws to a prearranged rendezvous point meeting USS Washington (BB-56) then departs for Nouméa. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 1, 1944 while maneuvering to refuel destroyers that night, USS Indiana (BB-58) collided with Washington causing significant damage. Washington had 200' of bow plating torn off causing it to collapse and both damaged battleships withdrew to Majuro for temporary repairs. Although estimated to be a thirty day repair, USS Vestal (AR-4) often working 24-hour shifts completed the task in only ten days allowed her to steam to Pearl Harbor arriving February 11, 1944 for permanent repairs. PARTIAL HISTORY Fate On June 1, 1960 stricken from the Navy Registry. On May 24, 1961 sold for scrap and towed to the Lipsett Division of Luria Brothers and broken up. Awards For her World War II service, Washington earned 13 battle stars. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Washington (BB-56), 1941-1961 NavSource - USS Washington (BB-56) Contribute
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