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1920 - 1929
1930 - 1940
Pearl Harbor Attack & Action Damage Report
Mare Island Modernization - 1942 / 1943
Off to War / 1943 - 1945
1945 - 1948 / Post WW II - Sinking
| Click On Image For Full Size Image | Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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 | 241k |
"Proposed B.S. 38 & 39 ... Sketch G". Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board during consideration of designs for Battleships #s 38 & 39, which became the Pennsylvania class (BB-38 / 39). This plan, dated 14 February 1912, provides twelve 14-inch guns, turbine machinery and a speed of 21 knots in a ship 630 feet long on the load water line (L.W.L.), 93 feet in beam, with a normal displacement of 31,300 tons. The original plan is in the 1911-1925 "Spring Styles Book". | U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # S-584-010. | |
 | 51k | Starboard bow view of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) under construction. Superstructure has not yet been started. Photo taken by Kenneth S. Hampton and Helen F. Hampton, circa 1914-15, at Newport News, Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA. | Contributed by their grandson, Kenneth H. Guinn. | |
 | 131k | Platform ready for the occasion of Pennsylvania's (BB-38) launching immeadiately before 12 June 1916. | Digital ID: # ggbain 18620v, LC-B2-3406-3. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection. Text courtesy of DANFS. | |
 | 79k | Miss Elizabeth Kolb of Germantown, Pennsylvania christens the Pennsylvania (BB-38), 12 June 1916. | USN photo. | |
 | 40k | The U.S. Dreadnought Pennsylvania (BB-38), of largest and most powerful class starting down the ways to the waters of Newport News, Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA. 12 June 1916. | Photo by Bain News Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, Page 361 from The War of the Nations (New York), 31 December 1919, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. | |
 | 127k | Pennsylvania (BB-38) model on exhibit in a museum, probably prior to World War II. It depicts the battleship in her original configuration, as completed in 1916. Other artifacts present include a somewhat damaged model of the airship Shenandoah (ZR-1), overhead, and examples of marine boilers and engines, in the background. | USNHC # NH 3019. | |
 | 50k | Pennsylvania (BB-38) in a diorama display case in Chicago, Illinois, 1916 - 1917. | Photo # DN-0069064, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society & courtesy of memory.loc.gov. | |
 | 127k | Captain Henry Braid Wilson was Pennsylvania's (BB-38) first commanding officer in 1916. He commanded the Atlantic Fleet's patrol forces during the First World War, and was responsible for the safe convoying of troops and supplies to Europe. For his outstanding service Wilson was awarded both the Navy and War Department Distinguished Service Medals. Rear Admiral Henry Braid Wilson was Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet and later the Battle Fleet commander following WW I. |
Photo from the New York Public Library, courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 56k | Upon commissioning, Pennsylvania (BB-38) was attached to the Atlantic Fleet. On 12 October 1916. She became flagship of Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, when Admiral Henry T. Mayo shifted his flag from Wyoming (BB-32) to Pennsylvania. In 1916 Mayo was handed full command of the Atlantic Fleet and promoted Vice-Admiral, a post he held throughout his country's involvement in World War One. He traveled to London in August 1917 to discuss Allied naval co-operation, and was an advocate of a convoy anti-submarine policy as well as the construction of the Northern Barrage anti U-boat minefield. For his achievements, Admiral Mayo was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for the outstanding operation of the US Atlantic Fleet in a condition of war. Admiral Henry T. Mayo was commander of the Atlantic Fleet in World War I and for a time in 1919 commanded the entire U.S. fleet. |
Photo from the New York Public Library, courtesy of Bill Gonyo. Info from the USS Mayo Association & spiritus-temporis.com, courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 88k | 1916 photo of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) in New York's East River. | Contributed by Roy Thomas. | |
 | 57k | Pennsylvania (BB-38) at anchor in the evening, circa 1916. Columbia (CL-12) is in the right distance. | USNHC # NH 42730, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. | |
 | 131k | "A Sack race". Recreation on board a battleship, circa 1916-1917. This ship is either Pennsylvania (BB-38) or Arizona (BB-39). | U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 106273. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008. | |
 | 58k | "Armor piercing shells weighing half a ton or more apeice being loaded on an American Dreadnought that is preparing to sail for European waters." | Photo by Central News Photo Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, Page 363 from The War of the Nations (New York), 31 December 1919, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. | |
 | 70k | "Souvenir Folder", published circa 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, featuring ten halftone reproductions of photographs of and on board the ship. It was mailed from Pennsylvania (BB-38) on 12 July 1921, addressed to Mr. W.B. Hammond of Hamburg, New York. | USNHC # NH 104177, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 79k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of a galley on board the Pennsylvania (BB-38), circa 1916-1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104171, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 57k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of the interior of the Pennsylvania's (BB-38) wheelhouse, showing a binnacle, steering wheel and an engine order telegraph. Taken circa 1916-1918, it was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104169, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 87k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of the ship's officers' ward room, circa 1916-1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104170, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 67k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken on the ship's quarter deck, looking forward at her after 14-inch gun turrets and "basket" mainmast, circa late 1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. Note the canvas covers on the turret faces. | USNHC # NH 104172, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 77k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of a surgical operating room on board the ship, circa 1916-1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104173, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 78k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of a sick bay on board the ship, circa 1916-1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104174, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 83k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of crew members in the ship's library, circa 1916-1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104175, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 73k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph looking toward the ship's bow from her pilothouse, circa late 1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. Note the furled canvas covers above the Number Two 14-inch triple gun turret face and the life rafts hung from the turret sides. Also note that the original picture caption incorrectly identifies the location of the view as the ship's stern. | USNHC # NH 104176, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 100k | Halftone reproduction of a photograph of the ship's carpenter shop, circa 1916-1918. It was published in about 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten images in a "Souvenir Folder" concerning Pennsylvania. | USNHC # NH 104177, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. | |
 | 83k | Color tinted post card by Enrique Muller of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), circa nineteen "teens". | Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 74k | In Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 10 December 1916. Note that long-based range finders have been built into all four turrets and that the two superfiring turrets carry unarmored range-finders. Note the canvas screens protecting the torpedo defense stations on both masts. | USNHC # NH 63562. Text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. | |
 | 227k | As completed, possibly at Hampton Roads on December 10, 1916. She was the first BB to have range finders built into her turrets. | USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 177k | "U.S. Battleships in Line of Column led by one of the largest Superdreadnoughts". The battleship in the lead appears to be either the Pennsylvania (BB-38) or the Arizona (BB-39). | Photo by Central News Photo Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, Page 361 from The War of the Nations (New York), 31 December 1919, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. | |
 | 27k | Pennsylvania (BB-38), starboard view, with an observation ballon in tow. Circa 1917-19. | Philip H. Robare RMCS, USN - RET. | |
 | 198k | Looking out 5-Inch gun port of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), Ca. 1918. Note the caption says 7" inch gun". | USN Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 96k | Chaplain distributing the ship's newspaper to sailors and Marines of her crew, circa 1918. Almost all the Sailors present are wearing knitted "watch" caps. | USNHC # NH 3027, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. | |
 | 77k | Pennsylvania (BB-38), leading President Wilson's convoy while 40 miles from Brest, France in 1918. Photo was taken from a derigible at 300 feet. | NH photo # NH 61223. | |
 | 64k | George Washington (ID-3018), at right anchored at Brest, France, with President Woodrow Wilson on board, 13 December 1918. Pennsylvania (BB-38), which had escorted George Washington across the Atlantic, is in the center distance. Passing by in the foreground is SC-405, which was soon transferred to the French Navy. Note the U.S. Army Signal Corps insignia in the photo's lower left. | USNHC # NH 53897, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. | |
 | 65k | George Washington (ID-3018), at right arrives at Brest, France, with President Woodrow Wilson on board, 13 December 1918. Photographed by Zimmer from on board another Navy ship. In the left background is Pennsylvania (BB-38), which had escorted George Washington across the Atlantic. | USNHC # NH 53896, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. | |
 | 72k |
Battleships of the Sixth Battle Squadron
(anchored in column in the left half of the photograph): included the Florida (BB-30) Utah (BB-31) Wyoming (BB-32) Arkansas (BB-33) New York (BB-34) Texas (BB-35) Nevada (BB-36) Oklahoma (BB-37) Pennsylvania (BB-38) & Arizona (BB-39) at one time or another. There are only three of the battleships present in this photo at Brest, France, on 13 December 1918. George Washington (ID-3018), which had just carried President Woodrow Wilson from the United States to France, is in the right background. Photographed by Zimmer | USNHC # NH 63454. | |
 | 448k | Looking out 7" gun port of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), Ca. 1918. | USN photo by Navy Bureau of Construction & Repair. NARA FILE #: 165-WW-321C-3. Photo # HD-SN-99-02139 courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil, Defense Visual Information Center. | |
 | 227k | Circa 1918 photo of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) at anchor. Note the training markings painted on her top fore and aft 14-inch gun turret side. | USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 46k | "American dreadnoughts & superdreadnoughts steaming into New York harbor 14 April 1919." The Texas (BB-35) leads the procession with a airplane on her turret catapult. Note the escorting biplane. The "escorting" aircraft is either a Curtiss HS-1 or HS-2 (note the single engine) can't tell which from the photo. The aircraft on a fly-off platform atop the No. 2 turret of the Texas is 1 of 6 Sopwith Camels purchased from Britain at the end of the war. The platforms were a British concept designed to provide the fleet with an aircraft capable of reaching the high flying Zeppelins which the German Navy occasionally used as scouts. The Texas was the only US Battleship to be fitted with turret fly-off platforms while in Europe and was the test bed for this program in the US Navy. Not visible in this view is a stripped down (No fabric and no wings) Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter lashed atop the No. 3 Turret. The platforms were eventually mounted on all 14" gun BB's through the New Mexico class (with mixed reviews from their commanders) and carried either a Hanriot HD-1 or a Neiuport 28. Though equipped inflatable floats for water landings, this tended to do a lot of damage not the least of which was dowsing a hot engine in cold salt water. By 1920 a successful compressed air catapult was developed and were being mounted on the aft deck of all 4 turreted battleships and fly-off platforms were removed. The Texas and New York (BB-34), because of their 5 Turrets, lacked the deck space for the catapult and had to make do with a float plane (Vought VE-7) sitting on the aft deck which would be launched by lowering it over the side for a surface take-off. If you look carefully at the 12th photo from the bottom on the New York 1919-1926 page, you see the VE-7 on the deck and the A-frame hoist used for handling it. | Photo by Paul Thompson, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 31 December 1919, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. Text i.d. courtesy of Chris Hoehn added 02/18/09. | |
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.
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