Built to Endure, Designed to Destroy
The USS Pennsylvania was laid down in October 1913 at the Newport News Shipbuilding facility and officially commissioned into the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1916. As the lead ship of her class, she was one of the most formidable vessels of her era. With a total length of 608 feet, the battleship was built for endurance rather than speed, relying on oil-fired boilers to generate 34,000 horsepower. This allowed the ship to cruise at a steady 21 knots, a performance that suited its role as a long-range fleet flagship. The armor plating was robust, including a 13.5-inch armored belt that protected the ship's vital machinery and magazine areas. Her turret faces were even more heavily armored, reaching 18 inches in thickness, while her conning tower was reinforced with 16 inches of steel. This combination of armor and firepower made the Pennsylvania class one of the most heavily armed and protected American battle fleets of the early 20th century.
At the time of commissioning, the Pennsylvania carried a crew of 56 officers, 72 Marines, and 1,031 enlisted personnel. Over the next several years, the ship underwent a major modernization between 1929 and 1931. These upgrades included expanding her hull with anti-torpedo bulges and reconfiguring the interior to accommodate an expanded complement of nearly 2,000 individuals. The modernization also involved updating her armaments, including the installation of more advanced 5-inch guns and improved anti-aircraft defenses. This transformation significantly increased her combat capabilities and versatility, ensuring that the Pennsylvania remained a valuable asset in the evolving naval landscape.
Missed WWI Combat, Lived to Fight in WWII
The Pennsylvania was commissioned just before the United States entered World War I, but it never saw active combat in the European conflict. Because the British sought coal-burning battleships to reinforce the Grand Fleet, and the Pennsylvania was an oil-powered vessel, it remained in American waters. Instead of being deployed across the Atlantic, the ship engaged in training exercises and readiness drills to prepare for potential overseas operations. In December 1918, it played a symbolic role in the end of the war, joining the escort for President Woodrow Wilson's voyage across the Atlantic to attend the peace conference in Brest. Following this mission, the Pennsylvania spent much of the interwar years serving as a fleet flagship, participating in large-scale Pacific exercises that helped shape U.S. naval doctrine for the emerging global conflict.
By December 1941, the Pennsylvania was stationed in Pearl Harbor and moored in Dry Dock No. 1. While this location protected the ship from the initial torpedo attacks of December 7, 1941, it left her vulnerable to aerial bombardment. A Japanese bomb struck the Pennsylvania, passing through the boat deck and detonating within a 5-inch-gun casemate. The explosion killed 15 crew members, left 14 missing, and wounded 38 others. After extensive repairs and the installation of a strengthened anti-aircraft battery, the ship was returned to active service in the Pacific. The Pennsylvania joined other Pearl Harbor survivors in supporting U.S. efforts to rebuild and expand its naval presence in the region.
Atomic Tests, Pacific Bombardment, and Silent Fire
It was used as a target ship in atomic bomb tests conducted by the U.S. military to evaluate the effects of nuclear weapons on naval vessels. The battleship withstood the immense forces generated by these tests, providing valuable data that helped shape the future of naval warfare. During the war itself, the Pennsylvania played a crucial role in numerous Pacific campaigns. Her primary mission was to deliver sustained naval gunfire, breaking enemy coastal defenses and supporting advancing Allied troops. Her 14-inch guns and 5-inch secondary armament made her a powerful asset in these operations, and she was awarded eight battle stars for her contributions to key actions across the Pacific.
One of the most notable moments in the Pennsylvania’s career occurred at Surigao Strait in October 1944, where it took part in what would be the last major fleet-to-fleet battle involving battleships. Despite being in a position to provide critical fire support, the Pennsylvania’s radar system failed to identify targets, resulting in a rare instance of the ship remaining silent during combat. Nevertheless, its mere presence in such a pivotal engagement highlighted its role as a symbol of American naval strength during a period of rapid technological and strategic transformation. Through the war, the Pennsylvania endured the hardships of combat, atomic testing, and decades of service, cementing its legacy as one of the most resilient and impactful ships in U.S. Navy history.
