LOCAL PA/NJ NAMED SHIPS
USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735)
SUBMARINE -- OHIO CLASS
USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB 38)
BATTLESHIP -- IOWA CLASS
SPIRIT
OF
PENNSYLVANIA
B-2 BOMBER
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GENERAL From Warship to Cruiser, and
into the modern era of the Submarine ...
the call has long gone out for Good Men to serve on Warships named PENNSYLVANIA. The following have been named in honor of the STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA: ¨ Ship-Of-The-Line ¨ Screw Steamer ¨ Armored Cruiser (ACR-4) ¨ Battleship (BB-14) ¨ Battleship
(BB-38) ¨ Submarine (SSBN-735) ¨ B-2 Bomber ¨ SHIP -OF -THE -LINE ¨
This Ship was approved by Congress on 29 April 1816 and was designed
and built by Samuel Humphreys in the Philadelphia
Navy Yard. With 4 complete
Gun Decks, of which 3 were covered and specified to carry no fewer
than 74 Guns with 136 Gun Ports, the USS PENNSYLVANIA was the largest US Navy Sailing Warship
ever built. Construction began in 1821, but was delayed
due to Budget Restrictions -- History does repeat itself!
The Ship was Commissioned in 1837 and served in numerous capacities
until 1861. By the time the Ship was being
fitted out, the Ship’s originally mounted 16 8-Inch Shell Guns and 104
32-Pounders were replaced with Shell Guns.
An 1846 Bureau of Ordnance Gun Register records the
Ship’s Armament as follows: Spar Deck,
2 9-Pounder Cannon and 1 small Brass Swivel; Main Deck, 4 8-Inch Chambered
Cannon received from Norfolk in 1842 and 32 32-Pounder Cannon; Middle Deck, 4
8-Inch Chambered Cannon received from Norfolk in 1842 and 30 32-Pounder
Cannon; and Lower Deck, 4 8-Inch Chambered Cannon and 28 32-Pounder Cannon. The Ship measured 210 Feet between
Perpendiculars; had a Molded Beam of 56 Feet 9 Inches, Depth of Hold, 24 Feet
4 Inches; Tonnage of 3,105; and designed complement of 1,100 Officers and
Men. The USS PENNSYLVANIA remained in service until
1842, becoming a Receiving Ship for the Norfolk Navy Yard. The Ship remained in the Norfolk Navy
Yard until 20
April 1861, when it was burned to the Waterline to prevent it falling to the
Confederacy. ¨ SCREW STEAMER ¨
A Screw Steamer, originally
named KEYWADEN, was assigned the name PENNSYLVANIA on 15 May 1869. The Ship was laid down in the Boston Navy Yard but was never launched and lay
on the ways from 1863 to 1884 and then was broken up. ¨ ARMORED CRUISER ¨
The Ship‘s Keel was laid by William Cramp And Sons in Philadelphia on
7 August 1901; launched on 22 August 1903; and commissioned 09 March 1905,
with Captain Thomas C. McLean
in Command. The
Ship‘s Parameters were:
Displacement, 13,400; Length, 503 Feet 1Inches; Beam, 69 Feet Inches;
Draft, 24 Feet 1Inch; Speed, 22 Knots; Complement, 829 Personnel; Armament, 4
8", 14 6", 18 3" Guns and 2 18" Torpedo Tubes. The Ship operated on the East Coast and in
the Caribbean until 08 September 1906; went to the Asiatic Station and
returned to San Francisco on 27 September 1907 for West Coast
Duty. The Ship visited Chile and Peru
in 1910. During the Winter of
1910-1911, a Plane landed on and took off from a Platform constructed on the
Afterdeck, opening the era of Naval Aviation.
While in Reserve at Puget Sound from 01 July 1911 to 30 May 1913, the
Ship trained Naval Militia. The Ship
was re-named PITTSBURGH on 27 August 1912 to free the name PENNSYLVANIA for a new Battleship. ¨ BATTLESHIP ¨
Originally, the Battleship, USS NEBRASKA (BB-14), was intended to carry the name of the State of Pennsylvania.
USS PENNSYLVANIA was attached to the Atlantic Fleet and on 12 October 1916, became Flagship of Commander in Chief, US Atlantic Fleet (Admiral Henry T. Mayo). In January 1917, PENNSYLVANIA steamed for Fleet Maneuvers in the Caribbean and returned to Homeport at Yorktown, VA, 06 April 1917, the day of Declaration Of War against Germany. The Ship did not sail to join the British Grand Fleet since it burned Fuel Oil; and since Tankers could not be spared to carry additional fuel to the British Isles, only Coal-Burning Battleships were selected for this Mission. While at Yorktown, the Ship kept in battle trim with Fleet Maneuvers, Tactics, and Training, intervened by overhaul at Norfolk and New York. The Ship served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets,
acting as a Flagship and embarking such dignitaries as President Woodrow Wilson, Vice President Thomas Marshall, and various Cabinet
Members. Dry-docked in Pearl Harbor on 07 December 1941, the USS PENNSYLVANIA was one of the first Ships to provide defensive fire against the
attacking Japanese Torpedo Planes and Bombers. Following repairs in San Francisco, the Ship returned to service
in the Aleutian and Pacific Campaigns.
A Japanese Torpedo Plane Attack removed her from Active Service, and
the Ship became a Target for Atomic Tests at Bikini Atoll until De-Commissioning in 1946. The USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) received 8 Battle Stars for WWII Service. ¨ SUBMARINE ¨
Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) often operate
secretly, and histories are not readily available. Each OHIO (TRIDENT) Class Fleet
Ballistic Submarine has 2 Crews: Blue and Gold. The Submarines can continuously operate for 70 Days, and afterwards are in the
Shipyard for ~25 Days. During
Deployments, the Submarines are often situated in the Area of the North Pole. Strategic deterrence has been the sole Mission of Fleet Ballistic
Missile Submarines (Nuclear-Powered Submarines armed with Long-Range
Strategic Missiles) since their inception in 1960. SSBNs provide the
Nation's most survivable and enduring Nuclear Strike Capability. OHIO Class Submarines have replaced aging
Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines that were built in the 1960s and are far
more capable. These Submarines provide
the Sea-Based Leg of the US Strategic Deterrent Force Triad of which there
are 18 Tridents (24 Missiles, each), carry 50% of the total US Strategic Warheads. Although the Missiles have no Pre-Set
Targets, when the Submarine goes on Patrol, the Submarines are capable of
rapidly targeting Missiles should the need arise, using secure and constant
At-Sea Communications Links. These
Submarines have been specifically designed for extended deterrent Patrols. To decrease Crew In-Port time for turnover and replenishment, 3 large
Logistics Hatches are fitted to provide large diameter Re-Supply and Repair
openings. These Hatches allow Sailors to rapidly transfer Supply Pallets, Equipment Replacement
Modules, and Machinery Components, significantly reducing the time required
for Replenishment and Maintenance.
Class design and modern main concepts will allow these Submarines to
operate for 15+ Years between Overhauls.
The first 4 OHIO Class
Submarines are scheduled for Conversion over the next 5 Years to Guided
Missile Submarines (SSGN) with an additional capability to transport and
support Navy special operations forces.
His Submarine utilizes an
advanced Sonar System, comparable to that developed for USN Attack Submarines
and is capable of providing long-range Detection, as well as more effective
tracking of other Ships, or Submarines. Key features include improved
Maintainability, Reliability, and Availability resulting from modular
replacement concepts of major Equipment, improved design and incorporation of
Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). The Submarine also has
additional growth potential to accommodate future Technology, as it becomes
available, both in Ship Systems and in larger Missiles. High Patrol Speeds greatly increase
Ocean-Operating Area, providing the ability to avoid potential Enemies, thus
enhancing Survivability. There have been 6 US Navy Ships named USS PHILADELPHIA, in honor of the city of Philadelphia, PA.
The 1st USS PHILADELPHIA was a Gondola built in 1776 on Lake
Champlain by Benedict Arnold and
sunk in the Battle of Valcour Island. The 2nd USS PHILADELPHIA, was a 28-Gun Sailing Frigate that was
active in the Quasi War, captured in the 1st Barbary War, and later
burned. The 3rd USS PHILADELPHIA was a Side-Wheel Steamer used in the American Civil War. The 4th USS PHILADELPHIA
(C-4) was a Protected Cruiser, Commissioned in 1890 and In-Service until
1926. The 5th USS PHILADELPHIA (CL-41) was a Light Cruiser, Commissioned in 1937,
active in WW II, and finally sold to Brazil
in 1951.
LOS ANGELES Class Attack Submarines (SSN) are the most numerous Nuclear-Powered Submarines built by any Nation and forms the bulk of the US Attack Submarine Force well into the 21st Century. These Submarines were preceded by the STURGEON Class and followed by the SEAWOLF Class. This Submarine Class is extremely fast and carries about 25 Torpedo Tube-Launched Weapons. The last 31 Submarines have 12 Vertical Launch Tubes for TOMAHAWK Cruise Missiles. Of these, the final 23, referred to as 688I, are even quieter, incorporate an Advanced Combat System, and are configured for Under-Ice Operations (Bow Diving Planes and Reinforced Sail). The Submarines are designed to seek and destroy Enemy Subs and Surface Ships. The concept of Technical Superiority over Numerical Superiority was and still is the driving force in American Submarine Development. A number of Third World Countries are acquiring modern State-Of-The-Art Non-Nuclear Submarines, and countering this Threat is the Primary Mission of US Nuclear Attack Submarines. Other Missions range from Intelligence Collection and Special Forces Delivery to Anti-Ship and Strike Warfare. The Submarines Characteristics are Length, 362 Feet; Beam, 33 Feet; Draft, 32 Feet; Displacement, 6,075 Tons; Propulsion, 1 S6G Reactor; 1 Prop; Speed, 25+ Knots, Submerged; Radar System, AN/BPS-15H; Sonar System, BQQ-5E Active/Passive Sonar, with TB-16 Towed Array Sonar; Weapon Systems, (4) 21-inch Horizontal Launch Tubes, MK-48 ADCAP Torpedoes, TOMAHAWK Land Attack Missiles (TLAM), MK-67 Mines, and MK-60 Mines; Crew, 12 Officers, 98 Enlisted. ¨ BOMBER ¨
Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in Manned Bombers. Its Low Observable, or Stealth, characteristics (Composite Materials, Special Coatings, and Flying-Wing Design) give it the unique ability to penetrate an Enemy's most sophisticated Defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, Targets. Its capability to penetrate Air Defenses and threaten effective Retaliation provides for a strong, effective Deterrent and Combat Force well into the 21st Century. In addition, the revolutionary blending of Low Observable Technologies with High Aerodynamic Efficiency and Large Payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing Bombers. The Bomber’s Low Observability, which provides greater freedom of Action at High Altitudes, thus increasing Range and providing a better Field Of View for the Aircraft's Sensors. The un-refueled Range is approximately 6,000 Nautical Miles (9,600 Kilometers), with a Speed of High Subsonic.
U S S PENNSYLVANIA (BB - 38) GENERAL
On 12 June 1916, America's, and the World’s, then largest Battleship was Commissioned. LENGTH - 612 FEET SPEED - 21 KNOTS
BEAM - 106 FEET DISPLACEMENT - 33,100 TONS
BIOGRAPHY In 1916, USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38)
and USS
NEVADA (BB-36), joined the Fleet as the 1st Oil Burning Battleships.
However, in the Fall of 1917, when Allied Naval Forces formed the
Allied-British Grand Fleet, 6th Battle Squadron, the Battleship (Fleet
Flagship) was not included. Only
Coal-Burning Ships were to be included with the Grand Fleet, as no Tankers
were available to transport Oil to the British Isles. On 07 December 1941, the Battleship was in Dry Dock at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and, was beyond the reach of Torpedoes that inflicted devastation on 4 of the US Fleet's other Capital Ships as a result of the Japanese Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor. As a result of the Bomber Attacks, the Battleship was only hit once, with a Bomb striking Amidships, causing only minor damage to the Battleship. However, the Battleship did suffer Casualties from repeated Attacks by Japanese Planes: 24 Killed, 14 Missing In Action, and 38 Wounded. However, the Battleship was the first to return Fire and survived to deliver incredible Fire Power on Enemy Positions over the next 4 Years. After approximately 2 Weeks, a repaired Battleship left Pearl Harbor and throughout the majority of 1942 served in Task Force 1. Late in 1942, the Battleship underwent an extensive Overhaul and Modernization at the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in San Francisco, CA. At completion, the Battleship bristled with Guns: 12 l4"/45, 16 5"/38, 40 40-mm, 50 20-mm, and 8 .50 Calibers. At the time, the Anti-Aircraft (AA) Battery was as formidable as any in the Fleet, and the Battleship was Nicknamed Old Falling Apart by her Crew because of the ability to provide great Volumes of Gun Fire, that the Battleship was thought to be falling to pieces. As a US Fleet Flagship, USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) carried more Gold Braid than any other Ship until the expanding Pacific Offensive made it impractical to have a Centralization Command housed on a single Ship. The Battleship was also recognized for gallant Actions in the Pacific during WW II and was feared by the Japanese, as she fired more Rounds than any other Ship in Naval History. As Fleet Flagship, the Battleship carried 24 Radio Transmitters and 41 Receivers requiring continuous Manning; thereafter and until Retirement, there were NO Casualties, which disrupted Communications During WW II, Japanese Forces were known to occupy the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska; and it was decided to strike Attu, the less strongly garrisoned of the 2 and the Westernmost Island. On 04 May 1943, as Flagship for Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, the Battleship operated south of the Aleutian chain and participated in the Attu Island Attack. The Battleship was not to see the States again for over 17 Months. After numerous Practice Shoots, including a Bombardment of Kahoolawe, the Battleship participated in an Assault Landing Rehearsal on Maui in preparation for the Gilbert Island Campaign. On 10 November 1943, the Battleship left Pearl Harbor for Assaults on Japanese Positions in the Central Pacific, carrying the 5th Amphibious Force Flag as part of the Northern Attack Group. On 22 January 1944, the Battleship again left Pearl Harbor for the Marshall Islands Campaign against Kwajalein. Air Spotters did outstanding work during the Kwajalein Campaign, as they were invaluable in spotting Shot Fall and in picking Targets unseen from the Battleship. As a result, although Kwajalein was heavily fortified, all Troop Landings were made unopposed. Since the Kwajalein Campaign proved so successful, the Eniwetok Campaign, Westernmost Atoll in the Marshalls, was undertaken earlier than originally planned. At the Bombardment’s beginning, the Island was covered with a dense growth of Palm Trees extending down to the Water's edge; and at its conclusion, not a single Tree remained standing. Air Spotters reported that all visible Installations were destroyed, with Trenches demolished and unserviceable. The Areas designated as containing Japanese Troops were covered with Blood upon completion of Firing, and it was further reported that the Japanese appeared to become hysterical and were running frantically into the Bushes and out into the Water. After the conclusion of the Eniwetok Campaign, there was a lull of almost 4 Months before the next Amphibious Operation in the Central Pacific. After a brief vacation in Sydney, Australia, the Battleship returned to Efate and then continued North to the Solomon Islands, steaming along Guadalcanal’s North Shore. On 10 June 1944, the Battleship again put to sea bound for the Saipan Area, the first of the Marianas Campaign. By 25 June, the Japanese Fleet had been mauled and turned back by Fifth Fleet Aircraft. Therefore, the Battleship departed the Saipan Area and remained at Eniwetok from 28 June to 09 July 1944 to participate in resumption of the Guam Campaign. On 17 July 1944, the Battleship initiated Pre-Assault Bombardment and supported Underwater Demolition Operations, as well as executing Close-In Protective Fire Support, covering all Firing Points that might be brought to bear on Demolition Parties. After 2 Weeks at Eniwetok, the Battleship proceeded South to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides and then North to take part in a Practice Assault on Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal and Port Purvis. On 06 September 1944, the Battleship left Port Purvis with the Palau Bombardment and Fire Support Group. Prior to the Peleliu Campaign, the Battleship bombarded Japanese Island Installations, with the Objective being complete known Target Destruction. On 12 October 1944, the Battleship, serving with the Bombardment and Fire Support Group, left Seadler Harbor for the Philippines, and the ensuing Operation became the most memorable in the Pacific War for the Battleship. The Battleship bombardment, while not as prolonged as at Guam, was heavy, with the Battleship subjected to incessant Air Attacks. While participating in this Major Surface Engagement, the Battleship remained in the Area longer than during any other Operation. On 18 October 1944 the Bombardment and Fire Support Group arrived off the East entrance of Leyte Gulf, and the Battleship, at the assigned Fire Support Station, commenced Bombardments. Firing was directed at pre-Determined, as well as Opportunity Targets, with emphasis placed on covering Beach Reconnaissance and Underwater Demolition Teams and Minesweeping Units operating in Leyte Gulf and San Pedro Harbor. On 24 October 1944, a Major Naval Engagement was in development, as US Aircraft Carrier Search Planes located 2 Japanese Forces: 1, Central Force was in the Sibuyan Sea headed for San Bernardino Strait; and 2, Southern Force was in the Sula Sea, headed for Surigao Strait. Later searches revealed another Japanese Force, steaming toward Leyte Gulf. The Japanese Navy was sailing against the US Navy in full force. Due to a communications glitch, the Battleship never saw any Action and never opened Fire. However, Leyte Gulf Campaign was the first in which the Battleship encountered heavy Enemy Air Attacks, beginning as Sneak Attacks utilizing single Dive Bombers made under Cloud Cover and undetected until the Plane was either in its Dive, or Glide, or dropped its Bomb and pulled out. While in Leyte Gulf, the Battleship shot down, utilizing its own Batteries or with assists from other Ships, 10 Enemy Planes while heavily damaging other Enemy Planes. On 06 January, 1945 the Battleship commenced Operations on Santiago Island at the mouth of Lingayen Gulf and proceeded into Lingayen Gulf to execute Counterbattery Fire in support of the Minesweeping Forces. That day, Air Attacks reached an all time peak and severe damage was done to US Forces. From 10 - 17 January 1945 until the January 17, the Task Group patrolled in the South China Sea off Lingayen Gulf, and then the Battleship left and traveled back through the Central Philippines to Leyte Gulf and from there South toward Manus. Arriving at Naval Base Manus, inspections of the Battleship revealed extensive damage requiring extensive repairs to the Main, Secondary, and Close Range Batteries and Fire Control System for Main Battery, as well as for Radar, and Radio Equipment. The Port Condenser needed re-tubing, as well as considerable Work to the Starboard Blister and # 4 Strut Bearing. Satisfactory repairs were beyond the capacity of this Facility, and Commander-IN-Chief, PACific (CINCPAC) directed the Battleship to head to San Francisco, CA. On 15 March 1945, the Battleship arrived at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard for repairs. At this Shipyard, the Battleship was thoroughly Overhauled, with the majority of its Systems upgraded and additional Close Range Weapons and new, improved Radar and Fire Control Systems were installed. After Overhaul and Refresher Training, while enroute to Saipan, the Battleship made a detour to Wake Island to drop a Calling Card. With due regard for formalities, the Japanese returned Fire; however, the Shore Batteries were silenced. On 12 August 1945, the Battleship entered Buckner Bay. That evening, as the Battleship was At Anchor, a Japanese Torpedo Plane flew into Buckner Bay without warning and launched a Torpedo at the Battleship. The Torpedo hit well Aft on the Starboard Side, but did extensive Damage. Many Compartments were flooded, and the Battleship settled heavily by the Stern. With the aid of Repair Parties and 2 Salvage Tugs, the flooding was controlled; and the following day, the Battleship was towed into shallower Water where Salvage Operations were initiated. On 13 August 1945, the Battleship participated in her last War Action. An Enemy Suicide Plane made a run on Buckner Bay and crashed in flames on a Cargo Ship’s Deck, as the Battleship’s Starboard Secondary Battery fired on the Plane being tracked by Radar. On 15 August l945, the Battleship learned of the President‘s announcement regarding Japan's Acceptance of the Allied Surrender Terms. At this time, instead of wild cheering, there was a minute of utter Silence as the Crew paid homage to their Shipmates who had lost their Lives. As a part of Salvage Operations, all Compartments not open to the Sea were pumped dry to make the Battleship as seaworthy as possible. On 18 August 1945, the Battleship departed Okinawa, towed by 2 Tugs, with another standing by to assist, if needed. On 06 September 1945, the Battleship arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam and entered Dry Dock. Sufficient Repairs were made to permit return to the US under her own Power. On 04 October 1945, the Battleship proceeded toward Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. On 24 October 1945, shipping Water and with only 1 Screw turning, the Battleship limped into the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, a crippled but proud Battleship. During this time, USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) set a Record by being the only Battleship to take part in every Combat Amphibious Operation in the Pacific Ocean Area during WW II, as well as being part of the 2 largest Operations in the Southwest Pacific Area, from Attu through Lingayen. Since first action at Pearl Harbor, the Battleship steamed almost 150,000 Miles, with excellent self-discipline at all times, and NO Crew Member was ever lost overboard except by Enemy Action. The Battleship had never hit any Friendly Troops, Installations, Ships, or Planes, and never reported NOT READY for any Operation. AWARDS USS
PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) earned the following Awards as a result of
Service in Asiatic-Pacific Area Operations during WW II:
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In
1901, the 
On
02 March 1987, the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Gorton, CT,
laid the Keel for 
On
22 August 1912, Congress authorized the building of 