Mutsu
British HMS Hood.
Drawing made by G.J. Frans Naerebout and published in Op de Lange Deining written by G.A.J. Bovens
American USS Lexington
An item dated London, England17th reported that on short notice the Japanese battleship Mutsu (1) was to be launched. Building costs 8 million pound sterling. Horsepower 160.000ihp even 26.000ihp more as the Hood, the largest British battleship.(2) The US Navy seemed to be building a battleship with an even larger horsepower namely 180.000 hp supporting the opinion of admiral Beatty that the days of the large ships were yet not passed.(3)
Notes
1. Of the Nagato-class consisting of the Nagato and the Mutsu, precede by the Ise-class and succeeded by the Tosa-class. Laid down at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on 1 June 1918, launched on 31 May 1920, commissioned on 24 October 1921 and finally sunk in the Hashirakima fleet anchorage caused by an internal explosion on 8 June 1943.
2. Nicknamed Mighty Hood. Pennant 51. Her building at the shipyard of John Brown&Company was ordered on 7 April 1916, laid down on 1 September, launched on 22 August 1918, commissioned on 15 May 1920 as world largest warship, sunk on 24 May 1941 during her battle with the German battleship Bismarck. The only one of the four projected Admiral class battle cruisers caused by an insufficient design despite the modifications after the Battle of Jutland (31 May-1 June 1916). During this battle England lost battle cruisers due to the weakness of their armour. Building costs 6.025.000 pond sterling.
3. The Lexington? Pennant CV-2. Ordered in 1916 as a battle cruiser, laid down at the yard of the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company on 8 January 1921, reclassified into a carrier on 1 July 1922, launched on 3 October 1925, commissioned on 14 December 1927 and sunk on 8 May 1942 during the battle of the Coral Sea and stricken from the list on 24 June of the same year. Of the Lexington-class. Never completed as battle cruisers due to the limitations of the Naval Treaty of Washington of 1922.(1) Designed as a response on the Japanese Kongo-class battle cruisers.
