USS Hawaii CB3 From Design to Disposal

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Lone Sailor Statue, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Credit: pexels.com, Lone Sailor Statue, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

The USS Hawaii (CB-3) was a unique ship in the US Navy's fleet, designed to serve as a seaplane tender and command ship. It was commissioned in 1944.

The USS Hawaii was 552 feet 10 inches long and had a beam of 75 feet. It weighed around 13,900 tons and had a top speed of 19 knots. The ship was powered by a combination of steam turbines and diesel engines.

The USS Hawaii played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, serving as a base for aircraft operations and supporting amphibious landings.

Design and Description

The USS Hawaii (CB-3) was a behemoth of a ship, measuring 808 feet 6 inches in length overall. Its massive size allowed it to carry a significant amount of firepower.

The ship's design was influenced by the commerce-raiding abilities of German and Japanese ships, with a focus on protecting carrier groups. Its bigger guns, greater size, and higher speed made it a formidable opponent on the high seas.

The USS Hawaii was powered by four General Electric geared steam turbine sets, each driving one propeller and eight oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox boilers rated at 150,000 shaft horsepower. This allowed it to reach a top speed of 33 knots.

Design Overview

Aircraft Carrier USS Midway Museum at Navy Pier in San Diego California
Credit: pexels.com, Aircraft Carrier USS Midway Museum at Navy Pier in San Diego California

The Alaska class was designed with a specific set of features in mind, including its size and firepower. The ships were 808 feet 6 inches long overall.

The class's bigger guns, greater size, and higher speed were thought to give them an advantage over heavy cruisers and potential "super cruisers" like those reportedly being built by Japan. The ships had a beam of 91 feet 1 inch and a draft of 31 feet 10 inches.

The Alaska class was powered by four General Electric geared steam turbine sets, each driving one propeller and eight oil-fired boilers. This combination produced a top speed of 33 knots.

The ship's cruising range was a significant 12,000 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots. This allowed the ship to stay at sea for extended periods of time.

The Alaska class had a main armored belt that was 9 inches thick, providing protection against enemy fire.

Key Features

People observe US Navy ship behind an exclusion fence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Credit: pexels.com, People observe US Navy ship behind an exclusion fence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The key features of a well-designed product are what set it apart from the rest.

One of the most important features is a user-friendly interface, which is essential for a seamless user experience.

A clear and concise navigation system is a must-have, allowing users to easily find what they need.

The product's aesthetic appeal, including its color scheme and typography, plays a significant role in engaging users.

A well-designed product should also be highly functional, with features that work together harmoniously.

The product's usability is greatly enhanced by a thoughtful layout and intuitive controls.

A well-designed product should also be highly functional, with features that work together to achieve a specific goal.

A key feature of a well-designed product is its ability to adapt to different user needs and preferences.

Construction and Conversion

Construction on USS Hawaii (CB-3) was suspended in May 1942, freeing up materials and facilities to build other ships needed in the war zones.

Credit: youtube.com, Unboxing trumpeter 1/700 USS Hawaii CB-3

The construction of Hawaii was put on hold for over a year, until it was added back onto the construction queue on May 25, 1943. This time, however, it wasn't canceled, unlike the other ships in the class.

The keel of USS Hawaii was finally laid on December 20, 1943, and she was launched on November 3, 1945. The ship was sponsored by Mary P. Farrington, the wife of the delegate from the Territory of Hawaii to the United States House of Representatives, Joseph Farrington.

Construction on the ship continued for about two years after her launch, but was halted again in either February or April 1947 due to the reduction in defense expenditures after World War II. At the time, the ship was 82.4% complete.

Ship History

The USS Hawaii was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser that served in the United States Navy.

Commissioned on March 30, 1942, the USS Hawaii was the third ship of the Baltimore class.

Discover more: USS Baltimore (C-3)

Credit: youtube.com, USS Hawaii - "Are You Going to Finish Me, Navy?"

It was originally classified as a heavy cruiser, but later reclassified as a light cruiser in 1944.

The USS Hawaii was 608 feet 2 inches in length and 66 feet 3 inches in beam.

It had a displacement of 9,116 tons and a top speed of 33 knots.

The ship was armed with nine 6-inch guns and 12 5-inch guns.

Its main armament was nine 6-inch guns in three triple turrets.

The USS Hawaii was powered by eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers that provided 120,000 horsepower.

It was the flagship of Cruiser Division 11 during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942.

The USS Hawaii was decommissioned on September 9, 1946, and sold for scrap in 1947.

Program and Status

The USS Hawaii (CB-3) had an impressive program and status.

Commissioned on September 15, 1944, the USS Hawaii was a Baltimore-class cruiser that served in the United States Navy during World War II.

The ship was built at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, and was launched on June 17, 1943.

Disposal

Navy Ship in a Harbor
Credit: pexels.com, Navy Ship in a Harbor

The disposal of the Hawaii was a significant milestone in its program and status.

On 9 June 1958, the Hawaii was struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

The ship was sold to the Boston Metals Company of Baltimore on 15 April 1959.

It was towed to Baltimore, arriving there on 6 January 1960.

The Hawaii was subsequently broken up for scrap.

1940 Program

The 1940 Program was a significant development in the history of the organization. It was launched in response to a major crisis, with the goal of rapidly expanding the organization's capacity to address the challenge.

The program was designed to be implemented over a short period, with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness. This was reflected in the program's structure, which included a clear set of objectives and a detailed plan for achieving them.

One of the key features of the 1940 Program was its emphasis on training and development. The program included a comprehensive training program for new staff members, which covered both technical and soft skills.

The 1940 Program was a major success, with significant achievements in a short period of time. It demonstrated the organization's ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances, and laid the foundation for future growth and development.

Gretchen Gerhold

Writer

Gretchen Gerhold has established herself as a prolific writer, covering a diverse range of topics including logistics, trade, and economic development. Her articles on container terminals and the logistics sector in India provide deep insights into the complexities of modern supply chain management. Focusing on the state of Kerala, her work on the economy and transport in Kochi highlights the region's significant contributions to India's economic landscape.

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