Shipbucket

Permission to come (back) aboard?

When we left off, I had just shown off my drawings of USS New York:

1942


1943


1944


and 1945

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Working on: USS Wichita CA-45, USS Washington BB-56, USS Sangamon CVE-26 class, USS Casablanca CVE-55 class, USS New York BB-34, USS Akron ZRS-4

"Do unto others!" -- Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates

After reading the chapter from Friedman's "Battleships...", regarding US battleship modernization, both proposed and actual, between the wars, I got to playing some "what if" games in my head.

Friedman states that the original proposal for the modernization of New York's engineering plant involved the replacement of not just the boilers, as eventually came about, but also installation of a 60,000 Hp turbo-electric drive as well. Essentially, the upgrade would see the installation of 1/2 of a Lexington class battle cruiser's propulsion machinery. i.e. 8 oil-fired boilers, to replace the original 14 coal-fired units, (the eventual work saw only 6 installed) two 30,000 Hp turbo-generators, and replacement of the massive triple-expansion steam engines with electric motors. While 60,000hp seems unremarkable, consider that her original machinery produced around 25,000.

I also speculated that, at the same time, changes to her main armament allowed an increase in the maximum elevation of her guns form 15 to 30 degrees. Also, changes to her main ammunition handling system (resembling the system in the Nevadas) eliminated the need to hand-pass powder from the powder flat to the gun-house, and two-speed power rammers made it unnecessary to ram the powder by hand, with a wooden pole.

I've tried to imagine what such a conversion would have meant, for New York's appearance during (and fate after) WWII. Such a massive increase in horsepower would have given her the potential for quite a bit more speed, so I speculated that early in the war, plans had come about to outfit her as a "cruiser killer", not as an escort but for commerce raiding. This second modernization involved the replacement of her 5"51 secondary and 3"50 heavy AA armament with 10 5"38s, in single turrets, like in Idaho. The intent being to drive off any escorts of an enemy convoy, and then chase down and sink the cargo vessels.



This upgrade saves her from "the big bang" in '46, and the New York Naval Militia requisitions her for use as their flagship. By 1948, they'd finished outfitting her for that role. I imagined some additional upgrades, due to the availability of war-surplus equipment, such as electronics. Also, as a training vessel, I felt she'd have more railings to keep uncoordinated noobs from unintentionally "taking the plunge".



I may change some details soon. The old props probably wouldn't do too well with 2 1/2 times the horsepower.

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Working on: USS Wichita CA-45, USS Washington BB-56, USS Sangamon CVE-26 class, USS Casablanca CVE-55 class, USS New York BB-34, USS Akron ZRS-4

"Do unto others!" -- Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates

Considering her hull shape, you'd probably get 4-5 knots extra out of her at best. You could probably squeeze a little more speed out of her if you fitted a new bow and stern like some of the Japanese and Italian rebuilds, but that would increase the cost considerably.

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"If you want to have dinner with the Devil, make sure to bring a long spoon!"
The New Wolf's Shipyard
The New Wolf's Shipyard Forum

I really like the concept of the upgrades to the New York.
I have always like the idea of enhancements and upgrades to ships to extend their life and improve their capabilities
Any more great ideas like this one?

Atomsk, Please be kind with my states Name-sake battleship, the USS Washington. She deserved better than she received. Awesome work on the USS New York!

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"It is better to type nothing and be assumed an ass, than to type something and remove all doubt." - Me

I chose Washington as a project because of her accomplishment at NBoGc. She did not fight the last BB vs BB action in history, but surely the last one that anyone could call a "duel" (South Dakota being a non-factor in the action).

Surigao was 6 on 2 (5 on 1 if you consider the fact that Pennsylvania didn't get a salvo off, and Fuso bit the big one before even reaching the scene of the gun action).

Casablanca involved on BB at sea (Massachusetts) trading shots with another in harbor (Jean Bart). Why did the French always wind up playing the part of "fish in a barrel" (same thing happened at Oran)?

I intend to depict Washington as she appeared on the night of November 15th 1942. For an AU, I suppose you could imagine that she was returned to the configuration of her most famous action, and placed on display as a memorial somewhere in Puget Sound.

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Working on: USS Wichita CA-45, USS Washington BB-56, USS Sangamon CVE-26 class, USS Casablanca CVE-55 class, USS New York BB-34, USS Akron ZRS-4

"Do unto others!" -- Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates

That looks good. Do her again after shipbucket rules!

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This is a serious forum. Do not laugh. Do not post nonsens. Do not be kiddish. At least, not all the time.
Current work list:
go on playing dead

Thanks, can't wait to see her.

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"It is better to type nothing and be assumed an ass, than to type something and remove all doubt." - Me

This is a very interesting subject! I personally have toyed with the idea of state naval militias, but wonder if a battleship is too much for even a few states to handle. I always thought a cruiser of some sort, maybe similar to the Omaha class, would make more sense. I'm sorry to share on your thread, but my vessel has the following features that differ from the Omahas:
A hardened bow for ramming
A 27 knot speed
Three twin turreted 6"/53s
Four triple torpedo tubes
2 depth charge tracks

Also, destroyers would seem likely, too.

Still, being a NY resident, I do love your idea!

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Worklist:
Puerto Oeste - AU - WWI-WWII

Great Work