Design of new American battleships improved due to war experiences according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1915-1916 no. 4

An item reported that the American battleships of which the building this year was approved were altered using the latest war experiences. The maximum elevation of the guns was increased to 30 degrees. In battles became clear that German warships were able to hit British warships thanks to a larger maximum elevation despite the larger maximum fire range of their heavier guns. The American battleships received also an improved watertight partitioning and a protection against torpedo hits.