American battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55)1937-still existing

Colorado-class

South Dakota-class

Preliminary design A

Design displacement of 32.770 tons which was less as was allowed by the limitations of the naval treaties. The armament consisted of 3x3-35,6cm/14” guns all mounted before the superstructure fore and 3x4-12,7cm/5” guns.

Preliminary design F

Design displacement 32.260 tons which was less as was allowed by the limitations of the naval treaties. This design was a combination of a aircraft carrier and a battleship for which purpose she was fitted out with 3 catapults on the bow with under a hangar able to store 10 bombers of which the wings were folded. The armament consisted of 2x4-30,5cm14” guns mounted after with non-super firing turrets.

Preliminary design VII

In this concept was a top speed offered for more protection and guns. As a result would the design speed not to exceed the 21 knots. The armament consisted of 3x4-40,6cm/14” 50 cal guns.

Preliminary design XVI

This design resembles more the final design of this class although there are still major differences resulting in one funnel instead of the two in the final design. The armament consisted of 4x3-40,6cm/14” 50 cal guns. The 12,7cm/5” /38 cal guns were mounted in twin mounts.

Final design

South Dakota-class

North Carolina-class consisting of the North Carolina and the Washington, preceded by the uncompleted South Dakota-class and the realized Colorado-class and succeeded by the South Dakota-class.

Building ordered on 1 August 1947, laid down at the New York Naval Shipyard on 26 October 1937, launched by Miss Isabel Hoey on 13 June 1940, commissioned on 9 April 1941, decommissioned on 27 June 1947 and stricken on 1 June 1960. Building costs 76.885.750 US dollars. Nickname Showboat. Code sign NIBK. General technical specifications of this class. Displacement 37.200 (standard)-45.500 (full load) tons in 1942 and 47.400 (full load) tons in 1945 and as dimensions 217,45 (waterline)-222,11 (over all) x 31,85 (waterline)-33,017 (maximum) x 10,82 (maximum) metres or 713’5.25”-728’8.625”x 104’6”-108’3.875”x 35’6”. The machinery consisted of 4 sets General Electric geared turbines with 8 3 drum express type Babcock&Wilcox boilers supplying 121.ship astern and 32.000 shp ahead resulting in a speed of 26,8 (in 1945)-28 (in 1941) knots. The range was in 1941 with a speed of 15 knots 17.450 nautical miles, while in 1945 with a speed of 15 knots dropped to 16.320 nautical miles or with 25 knots speed to 5.740 nautical miles. Crew numbered 1.880 included 108 officers (design)-2.339 included 144 officers (in 1945)-1.774 included 135 officers (in 1947). The main armament consisted of 3x3-40,6cm/16” /45 cal Mark 6 guns, the secondary armament of 20-12,7cm/5” /38 cal Mark 12 dual purpose guns to which a larger number of smaller calibre guns (2,8cm/1.1”, o,50”, Bofors 4cm and Oerlikon 2 cm) were added. Fitted out with 2 trainable catapults on her fantail for the 3 Vought OS2U Kingsfisher floatplanes she could carry with her. The armour consisted of a 16,8cm/6.6” (lower ends)-30,5cm/12” thick belt, total decks 18cm/7.07”, barbettes, main guns, secondary guns and conning tower were protected by respectively 29,cm/11.5” (centerline aft)-37,3cm/14.7” (centerline forward)-40,6cm/16” (sides). 17,8cm7” (roof plates)-24,9cm/9.8” (sides)-30cm/11.8” )back plates)-40,6cm/16” (face plates), 5cm/1.95” (mounts and magazines) and 9,9cm/3.9” (bottom plates)-17,8cm/7” (roof sides)-35,6cm/14” (communication tube)-37,3cm/14.7” (centerline sides)-40,6cm/16” (beam sides).