Colorado-class (BB-45)
Summary
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Battleship |
| Subtype | Battleship (World War II) |
| Manufacturer | New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Year commissioned | 1921 |
Description
The Colorado-class battleships, comprising Colorado, Maryland, and West Virginia, with one canceled ship, Washington, were the last group of U.S. Navy super-dreadnoughts designed before the restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty. Laid down during World War I, only the first three were completed, and they proved to be the most powerful battleships in the U.S. Navy until the North Carolina class during World War II. They were part of the Standard-type battleships with standardized speeds and handling characteristics, primarily built for line-of-battle maneuvers. Unlike the preceding Tennessee class with twelve 14-inch guns, the Colorado class was armed with eight 16-inch guns, and the design was very similar to the Tennessee class.
These ships served extensively in World War II. Both Maryland and West Virginia were at Pearl Harbor during the December 7, 1941, attack; Maryland was minimally damaged, but West Virginia sank and was later salvaged and repaired. The three Colorado-class ships provided naval gunfire support in various Pacific operations and participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the last engagement between battleships. Post-war, they were placed in reserve and scrapped by the late 1950s.
Developed to feature 16-inch guns, the design process was convoluted, with debates over the increase in cost versus firepower. The approval for the 16-inch gun came after the success of a test-firing in 1914 and amid news of similar heavy guns being adopted internationally. By the time construction for the class began, the underwater protection design was still unresolved, necessitating later alterations to ship designs.
The three operational ships of the Colorado class all had hulls similar in size to the Tennessees, with an overall length of 624 feet and beam at the waterline of 97 feet. Turbo-electric transmission was used, providing greater efficiency and damage resistance. The propulsion system allowed for a speed of 21 knots with a significant cruising range—10,000 miles without refueling.
The primary armament consisted of eight 16-inch /45 caliber Mark 1 guns in twin turrets, supported by fourteen 5-inch /51 caliber guns, later reduced to 12, mounted on the main deck. The ships underwent modifications through their service, particularly in their anti-aircraft defenses which were extensively overhauled to face the aerial threats of World War II. Initially had minimal AA defenses, these were significantly increased throughout upgrades featuring 5-inch/25 caliber guns and later the introduction of Bofors 40mm and Oerlikon 20mm cannons in increasing numbers. By the end of their service, they carried numerous 40mm and 20mm guns for anti-aircraft defense.
The armor scheme followed the "all or nothing" principle with belt armor ranging up to 16 inches thick and deck armor between 1.5 to 4.1 inches. This scheme was largely carried from the Tennessee class, with improvements made during the 1930s. The underwater defense underwent modification, with new compartmentalization introduced to counter torpedo threats.
Colorado and West Virginia went through significant modernization efforts, including anti-torpedo bulges, improved fire control systems, radar installations, and changes to secondary and anti-aircraft armament. Throughout the inter-war period and during World War II, these ships were periodically updated to meet evolving combat requirements.
Built and operated exclusively by the United States, the Colorado class battleships reflected the peak of U.S. battleship design in the pre-treaty era and played notable roles during World War II, particularly in the Pacific theater.
Technical specifications
| Colorado | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 32600 tons |
| Range | 14000 km at 10 knots |
| Crew | 1,080 members |
| Width | 29.67 m (97.3 ft) |
| Length | 190.27 m (624.2 ft) |
| Propulsion | 4 steam turbines with a power of 28,900 hp each - 4 propellers |
| Armament | 8 406 mm guns + 12 to 14 127 mm guns + 40 25 mm guns + 2 533 mm torpedo tubes. |
| Maximum speed | 21 knots |