Background USS Kentucky (BB-66)



kentucky conceived in 1935, when united states navy initiated design studies creation of extended south dakota class not restricted second london naval treaty. resulting in 1 of fast battleship designs planned in 1938 preliminary design branch @ bureau of construction , repair.


the passage of second vinson act in 1938 had cleared way construction of 4 south dakota-class battleships , first 2 iowa-class fast battleships (those hull numbers bb-61 , bb-62). latter 4 battleships of class, designated hull numbers bb-63, bb-64, bb-65, , bb-66 (missouri, wisconsin, illinois, , kentucky, respectively) not cleared construction until 12 july 1940,. while bb-63 , bb-64 planned final ships in iowa-class serve fast escorts essex-class aircraft carriers, bb-65 , bb-66 intended first ships of montana class larger , slower while mounting twelve 16 in (410 mm) mark 7 guns. however, passage of emergency war building program on 19 july 1940 resulting in illinois , kentucky being re-ordered fifth , sixth ships, respectively, of iowa class in order save time on construction, first ship of montana-class reassigned bb-67. orders bb-65 , bb-66 placed on 9 september 1940, , ships laid down on 6 december 1942, , 7 march 1942, respectively.


by 1942 united states navy shifted building focus battleships aircraft carriers after successes of carrier combat in both battle of coral sea, , greater extent, battle of midway. result, construction of fleet of essex-class aircraft carriers had been given highest priority completion in shipyards navy. essex-class carriers proving vital war effort enabling allies gain , maintain air supremacy in pacific war, , rapidly becoming principal striking arm of united states navy in ongoing effort defeat empire of japan. accordingly, united states accepted shortcomings in armor iowa-class battleships in favor of additional speed, steam @ comparable speed essex-class , provide carriers maximum amount of anti-aircraft protection. result, construction of montana-class canceled before keels laid.








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