[mkjessup]

A fine, fine, class of ship that deserved to sail. A shame we didn't follow through and build them.

In that same vein, at the end of World War II, the final Iowa-class battleship (USS Kentucky / BB66) was not
only uncompleted but was used as parts to repair other Iowa-class ships, specifically USS Wisconsin / BB64.
For some reason the following picture of the Kentucky I've always found disturbing:



Kentucky's sister ship USS Illinois (BB65) was actually intended to be the first of the Montana class but was retained as an Iowa class vessel and was left uncompleted at the end of WWII, her hull did nothing but rust until she was broken up in 1958, a real shame:

[Hiryusan]

Take a look at the history of Illinois & Kentucky’s machinery. They wound up in the 4 Sacramento AOEs, a half set of machinery each. These ships not only served the fleet for ~50 years, but kept a healthy supply of crew trained in the plants for whenever the BBs were pulled out for further service.

[exit82]

Thanks, mk, never saw those pictures before.

[Bull Snipe]

Not only was Kentucky’s bow used to repair the Wisconsin, all four turbine and reduction gear sets were used to power the USS Sacramento AOE-1 and USS Camden AOE-2.

[Bull Snipe]

Not only was Kentucky’s bow used to repair the Wisconsin, all four turbine and reduction gear sets were used to power the USS Sacramento AOE-1 and USS Camden AOE-2.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Nice pictures.