"The U.S. Navy’s Iowa-Class: The Best Battleships Ever" Topic

"Designed to intercept fast capital ships yet still capable of serving in a traditional battle alongside other U.S. Navy warships, the Iowa-class battleship successfully combined speed and firepower.

Unlike slower battleships, the class was constructed to travel with a carrier force – and even built to be able to transit the Panama Canal, which enabled the warships to respond to threats around the world…"

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Armand

long and narrow, best BB ever? who knows?

they were certainly designed differently than the other classes of BB

Toured the USS Iowa, I think it was, back in the 90's when it visited Sydney for a naval event. Heckuva impressive piece of military equipment.

The best battleships are the ones that are still in service at the end of the war. :)

It is commonly stated that they were designed with high speed to allow them to operate with fast carriers, but I don't this this is correct.

For example, Friedman's "U.S. Battleships" states that the Iowas were designed to fulfill pre-war tactical requirements for a fast wing of the battle line, and/or "cruiser killers". At that time, the General Board still envisioned a battleship-centric Pacific war, rather than the carrier-centric one which actually came to pass.

MH

Indeed. The Kongo class was considered a serious threat that needed to be countered – even when it was thought they were 26 knot ships. Right up until the start of the war and later, fast battleships were thought to be a threat to carriers rather than carriers being a threat to battleships.

They still have the original electro-mechanical analog fire control computers like the Ford Instruments Mark 1A Fire Control Computer and Mark 8 Rangekeeper. These machines solved 20-plus variable calculus problems in real-time. Probably, the most accurate surface FC system ever made.

Having the advantage of speed over other BB's was essential because it allowed the faster ship to select the range of the encounter.

Allied radars allowed the enemy to be located, tracked, targeted at longer ranges Japanese or German optics and radar.

Some will counter saying that the Yamato was better because of larger guns and heavier armor. I would agree if she had equivalent speed, radar and FC systems.

I served on board both the Iowa and the NJ.

Thanks!.

Armand

edit earlier posting
Allied radars allowed the enemy to be located, tracked, targeted at longer ranges than Japanese or German optics and radar.

They are certainly beautiful ships. The USS New Jersey is on display just a few miles down the river from where I live. I have toured her several times.