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NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-32 USS WYOMING
1910 - 1916


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WW I Cruise Book
1917 - 1919
1920 - 1930
1931 - 1947


Wyoming Class Battleship: Displacement 26,000 Tons, Dimensions, 562' (oa) x 93' 3" x 29' 7" (Max). Armament 12 x 12"/50 21 x 5"/51, 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 11" Belt, 12" Turrets, 3" Decks, 11 1/2" Conning Tower. Machinery, 28,000 SHP; Direct Drive Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 20.5 Knots, Crew 1063.

Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Cramp, Shipbuilding, Philadelphia, PA., February 9, 1910. Launched May 25 1911. Commissioned September 25, 1912. Decommissioned May 21, 1930. Recommissioned & Reclassified as Gunnery Training Ship (AG-17) July 1, 1931. Decommissioned August 1, 1947. Stricken September 16, 1947.
Fate: Sold October 30, 1947 and broken up for scrap in Newark NJ.
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BB-32 Wyoming110kMiss Dorothy Eunice Knight, the daughter of former Chief Justice Jesse Knight of the Wyoming Supreme Court at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 25 September 1912, about to give the Wyoming (BB-32) her first taste of one of the finer things in life. Digital ID: # 2163471162_5fdbdb37af_o. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection, courtesy of Tom Kermen.
BB-32 Wyoming109kWyoming Gov. Jim Carey & wife, Susan Carey & Miss Dorothy Eunice Knight, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 25 September 1912.Digital ID: # 2162670101_46393b84b4_o. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection, courtesy of Tom Kermen.
BB-32 Wyoming167k1912 Bell from Wyoming (BB-32) at Navy Museum. Photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
BB-32 Wyoming375kCaptain Frederick Lincoln Chapin was the first commanding officer of the battleship Wyoming (BB-32). Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo. Photo added 08/26/09.
BB-32 Wyoming102k Wyoming (BB-32) as completed and running acceptance trials at speed. Pretty sparse conditions on the bridge and conning tower. Front 5" casemate gun is wet; a problem with all guns mounted this low. The problem was there in smooth water and was severe in rough water; the guns on all ships being removed and relocated on subsequent refits.USN photo.
BB-32 Wyoming119kFront cover of a post card showing the Wyoming (BB-32) steaming at high speed, possibly during her trials, circa 1912-13 with an insert of Admiral Badger.USN photo courtesy of Enrique Muller Jr. via Tommy Trapp.
BB-32 Wyoming31kThe Wyoming (BB-32) appears here possibly during her trials, circa 1912-13. Photo taken from Jane's Fighting Ships, 1924 & submitted by Robert Hurst.
BB-32 Wyoming110kUnknown battleship photo quite likely taken during trials or shakedown period due to the text written "Making twenty knots" possibly circa 1912-13.
Short Answer: This is either the Wyoming (BB-32) or Arkansas (BB-33).
Key Clues: Conning Tower in front of Signal Bridge Deck, which angles back from the tower, wet 5"/51 guns below this deck, saluting battery above, command bridge on mast above, and arrangement of search lights.
Long Answer: The date of the photo is definitely prior to America's entry into WW I. The British insisted that an enclosed pilot houses was a necessity when operating in the North Atlantic and North Sea and the USN added them to all battleships sent to England. The only weather protection this ship has is awnings and the canvas wind/spray breaks tied to the deck stanchions. The other clue is the search lights on top of the boat cranes rather than a 3" AA gun; another addition before going "Over There".
This is definitely a 12" gunned dreadnaught but not one of the South Carolina's (BB-26/27). They have a prominent plated supports at the outer edge of the signal bridge which would be visible where the 5"/51 is peeking out above the awning. Also note the saluting guns on the deck above.
The Delaware class' (BB-28/29) originally had the forward most 5"/51 guns in casemates on the second deck foreword of the No. 1 barbette. This proved to be too wet and the casemates were removed and plated over and the guns were move to a "wet" mount on the 02 Deck beside the foremast and under the signal bridge deck (03 deck). The 03 deck also completely surrounds the conning tower allowing a walkway in front of the conning tower. The ship in the photo lacks this walkway. Also I have not seen any photos of either Delaware (BB-28) or North Dakota (BB-29) with only 2 searchlights mounted on the foremast in an over/under arrangement. So I do not think this either of the Delaware's.
The Florida's (BB-30/31) can be eliminated as all of this class' secondary battery were mounted in casemates in the forecastle or on the Second Deck amidships and aft. They have no "wet" mount 5"/51's though the saluting battery was located in this position. Also their signal bridge deck extends straight back from the conning tower to the bridge wings, which extends outboard perpendicularly.
The USNHC page for the "Arkansas" has a photo album from a European cruise taken in the fall of 1913, just a year after commissioning. The first photo is an over-all picture of the Arkansas in which she is carrying the same search light arrangement as in this photo. Assuming that the cover photo from the album was taken at the same time as the other photos, its reasonable to assume that it represents the Arkansas at or near the time of commissioning. Photos of the Wyoming attributed to her trials show her sporting 6 search lights mounted on the fore mast. All of this suggest that the photo is probably the Arkansas in 1912 or 1913.
USN photo courtesy of Jerry Crow. Photo I.d. & text courtesy of Chris Hoehn.
BB-32 Wyoming78kColor tinted steroscopic photo of the Wyoming (BB-32) escorted by tugs, circa 1912-13.Courtesy of Paul Petosky.
BB-32 Wyoming71kStaff of Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger, Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, in a planning session on board Wyoming (BB-32) in 1913. Those present around the table are (from left to right): Lieutenant Gardner L. Caskey, USN; Lieutenant Commander Walton R. Sexton, USN; Lieutenant Commander Frank R. McCrary, USN; Lieutenant Stanford C. Hooper, USN; Major Albertus W. Catlin, USMC; and Commander Carl T. Vogelgesang, USN.USNHC # NH 53320, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-32 Wyoming66kOrchestra of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. On board Wyoming (BB-32) in 1912-13.USNHC # NH 95226, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-32 Wyoming88kBattleships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet steaming in column formation, circa 1914. The leading ship is either Wyoming (BB-32) or Arkansas (BB-33). Note the dense smoke produced by these coal-burning ships. USNHC # NH 105079 Photographed by Enrique Muller, New York.
U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships71k U.S. Atlantic Fleet battleships steaming toward Mexican waters in 1914. Photograph copyrighted in 1914 by E. Muller, Jr., and Pach.
The following battleships that were dispatched to Mexican waters included the:
Ohio (BB-12), Virginia (BB-13), Nebraska (BB-14), Georgia (BB-15), New Jersey (BB-16), Rhode Island (BB-17), Connecticut (BB-18), Louisiana (BB-19), Vermont (BB-20), Kansas (BB-21), Minnesota (BB-22), Mississippi (BB-23), Idaho (BB-24), New Hampshire (BB-25), South Carolina (BB-26), Michigan (BB-27), Delaware (BB-28), North Dakota (BB-29), Florida (BB-30), Utah (BB-31), Wyoming (BB-32), Arkansas (BB-33), New York (BB-34) & Texas (BB-35) .
In insets are (left to right):
Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo,
Rear Admiral Frank F. Fletcher,
Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger.
USNHC # NH 60322.
BB-32 Wyoming110kU.S. Atlantic Fleet Change of Command Ceremony. On board Wyoming (BB-32) circa 16 September 1914, probably at the New York Navy Yard. Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger is at right, reading his orders as he turns command over to Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher (right center). Looking on, in left center, is Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske, aide for operations to the Secretary of the Navy. Some of the others present are identified on Photo # NH 95153 (complete caption). The original print is stamped: "Photograph by the New York World. Walter C. Harris. Sep. 16 1914". USNHC # NH 95153, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-32 Wyoming190k Sailors celebrate George Washington's birthday with a pie eating contest on board Wyoming (BB-32) in 1915. All Hands magazine photo by: Navy Historical Center, December 2002, pg. 46. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
BB-32 Wyoming101kThe Wyoming (BB-32) at anchor, apparently at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on one of her many vists there early in her career. USN photo by Brown Brothers, courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
BB-32 Wyoming25k"Ships of the Atlantic Fleet playing their searchlights at night along the Hudson River."USN photo by Underwood & Underwood, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 16 May 1915, Page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
Atlantic Fleet38k"The Atlantic Fleet saluting the President as it passed out to sea last Tuesday mid-day, with the New York skyline in the background."
The battleship on the right with the 3 smoke stacks is too unclear to make out for positive I.d. aside from being either from the Maine (BB-10 / 12), Virginia (BB-13 / 17) or Connecticut (BB-18-22 & 25) classes.
Photo by International News Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 23 May 1915, Page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
Atlantic Fleet98k"U.S. destroyers, at a speed of more than thirty miles an hour, passing in review before the Secretary of the Navy and the Governors of the States on board the battleship Wyoming (BB-32) off the coast of Masachusetts."USN photo by Underwood & Underwood, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 5 September 1915, Page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
Atlantic Fleet26kSecretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels discussing the recent War Games with Governor Fielder of New Jersey (left) and a friend on the Wyoming (BB-32). USN photo by American Press Association, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 5 September 1915, Page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
Wyoming97k"Sailors from the U.S. dreadnought Wyoming (BB-32) making a bayonet charge in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, to keep in fighting trim." Photo by American Press Assn.,text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 7 May 1916, Page 8, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-32 Wyoming52k Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, USN, on board Wyoming (BB-32) while serving as as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, circa 1915-1916. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # 103861. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Captain Cyrus R. Miller, USN (Retired).
BB-32 Wyoming47k Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, USN, (right) shakes hands with Vice Admiral Henry T. Mayo, USN, on board Wyoming (BB-32) during change of command ceremonies in which Vice Admiral Mayo relieved Admiral Fletcher as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, circa June 1916. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 103866. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Captain Cyrus R. Miller, USN (Retired).
BB-32 Wyoming76k Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, USN (right center, distance)on board Wyoming (BB-32) during the change of command ceremony in which Vice Admiral Henry T. Mayo (standing to right of Admiral Fletcher) relieved him as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, circa June 1916.U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 103867. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Captain Cyrus R. Miller, USN (Retired).
BB-32 Wyoming52kAdmiral Frank F. Fletcher, USN being piped over the side of Wyoming (BB-32), circa June 1916, by Lieutenant Commander Cyrus R. Miller (left center, with Boatswain's pipe), with other officers as side-boys. He had just been relieved as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, by Vice Admiral Henry T. Mayo (right center in Special Full-Dress uniform, with back to camera). The officers behind Vice Admiral Mayo, also wearing Special Full-Dress uniforms, are Lieutenant Russell Willson and Captain Henry A. Wiley. Note Admiral Fletcher's civilian clothes.U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 103868. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Captain Cyrus R. Miller, USN (Retired).
BB-32 Wyoming375kA fleet of tugs escort the Wyoming (BB-32) under the Brooklyn Bridge.Digital ID: # 2459825996_c135f7e69a_o. LC-B2-2465-2. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection, courtesy of Tom Kermen.
BB-32 Wyoming225kBow view of the Wyoming (BB-32) being escorted by tug boats under the Brooklyn Bridge.Digital ID: # 2459825996_c135f7e69a_o. LC-B2-2465-2. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection, courtesy of Tom Kermen.
Wyoming70k"The U.S. battleship Wyoming (BB-32) fresh from the Fall target practice off the Virginia Capes steaming up the East River to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the periodical docking and repairs." Photo by International News Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 8 October 1916, Page 2, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-19, 32 & 33 65k U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, circa 1916-1917. Third section from left (of six) of a panoramic photograph taken from the Naval Station radio tower. Among the ships present are: a battleship that is either Wyoming (BB-32) or Arkansas (BB-33) (left foreground), minelayers Baltimore (CM-1) and San Francisco (CM-2) (toward the left, far distance), destroyers Nicholson (DD-52) (left center, middle distance) and Cushing (DD-55) (right center, middle distance), and battleship Louisiana (BB-19) (right center, far distance, with "La." written above it). USNHC # NH 76419, now in the collections of the National Archives. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Donation of MMC Jesse Forton, USN (Retired), 1972.

Additional Wyoming Images
1 General View Of Wyoming From The Library Of Congress Server.

USS WYOMING BB-32 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Mr. John Winters
Address: 16117 Kellogg Rd Bowling Green, OH, 43402-9780
Phone: 419-823-7524
E-mail: None


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Battleship Pages By Andrew Toppan.
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