USS Nebraska BB-14
Also known affectionately as “The Pride of Seattle”
General Statistics
Displacement: 16,094 tons
Length: 441.3 feet
Beam: 76.2 feet
Draft: 25.10 feet
Speed: 19 knots
Complement: 1,108 officers and men
Armament: 4 x 12 inch guns
8 x 8 inch guns
12 x 6 inch guns
The first Nebraska (BB-14), was laid down by Moran Brothers, Seattle, Washington, on the 4th of July 1902; she was to be the last U.S. Navy battleship to be built by a West Coast shipyard for over a decade.
She was launched on the 7th of October 1904and was sponsored by Miss Mary N. Mickey, daughter of Governor John H. Mickey of Nebraska; and commissioned on the 1st of July 1907, with Captain Reginald F. Nicholson in command.
Here is a copy of formal engraved invitation to the launch of the USS Nebraska
Color drawing of the Nebraska (BB-14) in the background fronted by a unknown steamship at Moran Brothers, Shipbuilding, Seattle WA., probably drawn sometime after her launching on October 7 1904
On builders trials in 1906, making 19.9 knots an hour as seen in this postcard drawn by Edward H. Mitchell Publishers of San Francisco, CA.
Underway at high speed during her speed trials, prior to completion, circa 1906-07. Note that the eight-inch guns have not yet been installed in her forward turret. I personally just love this picture
After shakedown and alterations, the new battleship joined the Great White Fleet at San Francisco on the 6th of May 1908, replacing the USS Alabama (BB-8).
After her arrival on the U.S. East Coast in February 1909, Nebraska was refitted, receiving a new "cage" foremast and other alterations. A second "cage" mast was installed in 1910.
A picture from circa 1910 showing the cage
The Nebraska continued duty with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She attended the Hudson-Fulton Celebration in 1910 and the Louisiana Centennial during 1912. She earned the Mexican Service Medal for operations at Veracruz, Mexico, from the 1st of May to the 21st of June 1914 and the 1st of June to the 13th of October 1916. After a period of reduced commissioned service, she was again placed in full commission the 3rd of April 1917.
The USS Nebraska football team 1912
When war was declared buy the US on the 6th of April 1917, Nebraska was undergoing repairs at the Boston Navy Yard, attached to the 3rd Division, Battleship Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. On the 13th of April 1917 she departed Boston to engage in maneuvers and battle practice with the fleet in the Chesapeake Bay area. She operated along the East Coast, primarily training armed guard crews for American merchantmen, until entering the Norfolk Navy Yard on the 15th of April 1918 for repairs.
In action
At Hampton Roads on the16th of May 1917, she received on board the body of the late Carlos M. DePena, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from Uruguay, with full honours, departing Hampton Roads the same day and arriving Montevideo 10 June in company with the USS Pittsburgh (ACR-4), flagship of the Pacific Fleet. The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, came on board for the ceremonies and the body of the late Uruguyan Minister to the United States was transferred with full honors. The USS Nebraska departed Montevideo on the 15th of June for home, arriving Hampton Roads on the 26th of July.
The battleship departed New York on the17th September 1917 as principal escort for a fast merchant convoy of eighteen ships to an eastern Atlantic rendezvous, returning to Hampton Roads on the 3rd of October. Nebraska made two more convoy voyages in the Atlantic, returning from the latter on the 2nd of December to prepare for service in returning American troops from France.
This is a picture of a radical camouflage scheme from 1918. Anyone contemplating duplicating it may want to contact Kenny (aka Gator) for one of his fine masks.
Nebraska made four voyages from the United States to Brest, France, transporting 4,540 troops to and from the United States. On the first trip, she departed Hampton Roads on the 30th of December 1918, arrived Brest on the 11th of January 1919, and returned Newport News the 28th of January. The final voyage to return veterans from France ended when she arrived at Newport News, Virginia, on the 21st of June with 1,279 troops.
On the 22nd of June 1919 the USS Nebraska was detached from the transport service and shortly thereafter sailed to join Division 2, Squadron 1, U.S. Pacific Fleet, for operations along the West Coast under command of Captain P. N. Olmstead until she was decommissioned on the 2nd of July 1920.
In accordance with the Washington Naval Treaty limiting naval armament, Nebraska was rendered incapable of further warlike service on the 9th of November 1923 and sold for scrap a few weeks later.
The next instalment will cover Captain Frank Beatty
Regards
Sean
