Postcard original planned 1916 configuration
In 1916 approved the US Congress a naval building program [Naval Act 1916]which included six battlecruisers of the Lexington-class. The construction was delayed caused by the need for escort ships and anti-submarine vessels. The result was several redesigning of the class. For instance their original armament was to consist of 10-14” cal 50 guns (2x2&2-3). None of the six planned battlecruisers (Lexington, Saratoga, Ranger, United States, Constitution and Constellation) was completed as a battlecruiser, 4 were cancelled and the Lexington and Sarataoga were completed as aircraft carrier.
The displacement was as small as compatible with the other decribed demands. The maximum extreme draught was 32’6” full load with an maximum beam of 106 feet.
The officers’quarters ware to be located forward.
One battlecruiser was to be fitted out as a fleet flagship and was for this purpose fitted out with a separate plotting room closely connected to the central control station and the radio.
To be fitted out to make emergency towing possible.
To be fitted out with 4 small seaplanes of a high speed type and for kite balloons icnlduing the necessary neeed hydrogen generator and stowage.
All vital auxiliary machinery was to be positioned below an armor deck.
The stabilisation was to be within the limits of practicability as investigated by experiments.
To be fitted out with boats as was standard.
The magazines had to be fitted out for safe temperatures.
To be fitted out with radio of highest power practicable.
To be fitted out with high-powered search lights of which four for high angle searching.
Toe be able to store stores for a half year, 90 days provisions and 30 30 days cold staorage.
The armour consisted of a 5” thick main belt throughout machinery and magazine spaces with a with a width extending from the armored deck level tot at least 7’below the designed wtaer line (D.W.L.). Athwartship 5” between the ends of the side belt. Turrets protected by port 6’-side 4 1/2-rear 4 and tops 4”. S.T.S. in single thicknes. Barbette 5”, conning towe and tube 5”, uptake 1.25”, splinter bulkhead protecting the torpedo defense battery. Deck if fitted in a single deck was to equal to 2” S.T.S. The torpedo protection had to be maximum effective with explosion chambers arranged and strenghtened in accordance based on the results of most recent experiments and availbel information. Subdivision as complete as possible/practicable especially for intact bulkheads longitudinal and transverse, at least as high as the protective deck avove the machinery and magazine spaces. Finallt, to be fitted out with torpedo nets.
The armament consisted of 4x2-16” gun turrets positioned on the center line, 16-6” high powered anti torpedo guns, 4-4” high powered anti aircraft guns and on each broadside 4-21” torpedo guns. Ammunition allowance was for the guns standard and for the torpedo tubes 6 torpedoes/tube. To be fitted out with the best contemporaneous design suitbale for the fire control.
The oil fuelled propulsion was to allow a speed of to be 35 knots and was designed for a smokeless steaming. The regular fuel bunkers allowed a range of minimum 10,000 nautical miles/10 knots. There were also to be available bunker space allowing to bunker extra fuel in cases of emergency. Able to bunker enough lubricating oil for maximum fuel range or above.
Source
National Archives. Record Group 80: General Records of the Department of the NavySeries: Secret and Confidential Correspondence. File Unit 137 - Building Program (Battleships)
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