An item dated Washington, USA 4th reported that during a press conference admiral William Leahy (1) said that the US Navy intended to ask the Congress for a budget needed to built 2 battleships and 2 light cruisers. The US Navy intended to consider the restrictions of the London Naval Treaty during new building of ships. The two battleships (2) asked for and the two (3) being built were replacing 4 of the 7 battleships which passed their service time. The battle fleet was to consist of a maximum of 15 battleships regarded the same treaty with a similar policy for the cruisers.
Notes
1. William Daniel Leahy (6 May 1875 Hampton, Iowa, USA-20 July 1959 Bethesda, Maryland, USA), served in the US Navy 1897-1937 and 1942-1959, but also governor of Puerto Rico 1939-1940 and ambassador in Vichy France 1941-1942.
2. Probably the South Dakota class built between 1939-1942 with a displacement of 35.000 (standard)-44.519 full load) tons and a main armament of 3x3-40,6cm/16” guns.
3. This must be the North Carolina-class fast battleships consisting of the North Carolina and the Washington, built between 1937-1941 with a displacement in 1942 of 37.2000 (standard)-45.500 (full load) tons and a main armament of 3x3-40,6cm/16” /45cal Mark 6 guns. In May-July 1935 was started with designing this class which resulted in an huge number of designs, with first 14” guns. Speed in 1941 was 28 knots reduced to 26,8 knots in 1945.
