| BB-38 History |
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A Brief History of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) Built at the Newport News Navy Yard in Virginia and commissioned in 1916, the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was the lead ship of her Class of United States Navy ‘super dreadnought’ battleships. During WWII, she participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific, from Alaska to Okinawa. During WWII, she She earned 8 battle stars and the US Navy Commendation Award for service.
The USS Pennsylvania bombards Leyte, Philippines in October 1944 Details:
Builder: Newport News Navy Yard
Keel laid: October 27, 1913
Launched: March 16, 1915
Commissioned: June 12, 1916
Decommissioned: August 29, 1946
Length: 608 feet
Beam: 97.1 feet
Max Draft: 28 feet 10 inches
Displacement: 34,000 tons
Max Speed: 20 knots
Crew: 1750 to 2000
Wartime Armament:
12 - 14 inch/45 caliber guns
16 - 5 inch/38 caliber guns
40 - 40 mm/56 caliber guns
52 - 20 mm/70 caliber guns
8 - 50 caliber guns - PODS
After WWII the "Pennsy" (as she was lovingly called) was used in two atomic bomb tests in July 1946. The ship was decommissioned in August 1946, but was kept at Kwajalein Lagoon for tests until February 1948. The Pennsy was found to have too much radiation and to not be sea worthy. She was towed out to sea and sunk. So ended the life of the gallant fighting ship - The Battleship USS Pennsylvania, the "Pennsy". |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 27 February 2009 ) |
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Upcoming events at the Museum: January 28 - Cabin Fever Film Series, "When Trumpets Fade", February 25 - Cabin Fever Film Series, "Go Tell the Spartans". See the Events listing for more information.
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The next talk in the Speaker Series is on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 7:30pm. (Note schedule change to the first Wednesday of every month.) See Speaker Series for more information.
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