Delaware 1915
| No | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comm | Fate |
| BB28 | Delaware | Newport News | 11/11/1907 | 6/2/1909 | 4/4/1910 | stricken 11/1923 |
| BB29 | North Dakota | Fore River, Quincy | 16/12/1907 | 10/11/1909 | 11/4/1910 | target 5/1924 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
20380 |
|
Displacement full, t |
22060 (+ 380t oil) |
|
Length, m |
155.5 wl 158.2 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
26.0 |
|
Draught, m |
8.30 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
BB28: VTE, 14 Babcock & Wilcox boilers BB29: Curtis steam turbines, 14 Babcock & Wilcox boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
25000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
21 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 2670 + oil 380 |
|
Armour, mm |
belt: 280 - 229, upper belt: 254 - 203, casemate: 127, deck: 51, barbettes: 254 - 102, turrets: 305 (face), CT: 292 |
|
Armament |
5 x 2 - 305/45 Mk 5/6, 14 x 1 - 127/50 Mk 5/6, 2 - 533 TT (beam) |
|
Complement |
933 |
Ship project history: The first rigorous dreadnoughts of US Navy which have exceeded 20kts speed. Delaware had steam turbine engine, North Dakota had provisional steam engines, replaced in 1917 by turbines. They had a number of constructive lacks: too low arranged secondary artillery, practically useless in fresh weather (in particular bow mounts). Magazines of central turrets, located near to boiler rooms, were strongly superheated, despite refrigeration system.
Ship protection: Main belt had 2.44m height (1.3m over and 1.14m under waterline) abreast citadel was 280mm thick at upper part tapering to 229mm at lower edge. Belt was connected with end barbettes by 254mm bulkheads. There was 2.21m in height upper belt, 254mm at lower and 203mm at upper edges, it was closed by 229mm bulkheads. Upper casemate had 127mm armour and connected with barbettes No2 and 3 by 127mm bulkheads. Flat armoured deck connected with upper edge of main belt and was 38mm over machinery and 51mm over magazines. This deck had 63mm thickness fwd from citadel to fore compartment and had 38mm thickness to stem. It was 38mm over steering gear. There was an additional lower deck over steering gear, 76mm in flat and 76mm in slopes. Main gun turrets had 305mm faces, 203mm sides and rears and 76mm crowns. Barbettes were 254mm at upper and 102mm at lower edges. CT had 51mm roof. Funnel uptakes were unprotected.
Modernizations: 1917, North Dakota: Curtis steam turbines were changed by Parsons ones.
1916, both: + 4 x 1 - 76/50 Mk 10 AA
1918, both: + 4 x 1 - 76/50 Mk 10 AA
Naval service: After the introduction of the USA into war Delaware served in 6th squadron of Grand Fleet.
Delaware 1913
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10