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NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-38 USS PENNSYLVANIA
1920 - 1929

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Delta - Xray

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1912 - 1916
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1930 - 1940
Pearl Harbor Attack & Action Damage Report
Mare Island Modernization - 1942 / 1943
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1945 - 1948 / Post WW II - Sinking


Pennsylvania Class Battleship: Displacement 31,400 Tons, Dimensions, 608' 6" (oa) x 97' 1" x 29' 10" (Max).Armament 12 x 14"/45 14 x 5"/51, 4 x 3"/50 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Turrets, 3" +2" Decks, 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 31,500 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 915.

Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Newport News, Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA., October 27, 1913. Launched 16 March 1915. Commissioned June 12, 1916. Decommissioned August 29, 1946. Stricken February 19, 1948.
Fate: Target During Atomic Bomb Tests, Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands. Scuttled off Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, February 10, 1948.
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SizeImage DescriptionContributed
By And/Or Copyright
BB-38 Pennsylvania566kA group of care-free gobs perilously perched on the roof of a fighting top of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) as the mighty dreadnought and flagship of the Atlantic Fleet passes down the East River en route to Southern waters and winter target practice.Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
PDF courtesy of New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 18 January 1920, Image 55, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-38 Pennsylvania1.28kADMIRALS MEET ON BATTLESHIP PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) Image and text provided by Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA.
PDF courtesy of The Madison Journal. (Tallualah, Madison Parish, LA.]) 1888 - Current, 28 Feb. 1920, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-38 Pennsylvania655kSECRETARY DANIELS looks well in one of the many naval circles. This characteristic smile is shown through a porthole of the battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38) in a New York harbor.Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
PDF courtesy of Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 06 May 1920, Night Extra, Image 26, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-38 Pennsylvania1.15kA deck scene yesterday on the Pennsylvania (BB-38) of the Atlantic fleet anchored in the Hudson River.Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
PDF courtesy of New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 23 August 1920, Image 16 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-38 Pennsylvania88kStern view of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), circa 1920 photo. NARA photo # 19-N-9562, contributed by Roy Thomas.
BB-38-9 176kThe Pennsylvania (BB-38) or Arizona (BB-39) is in the background in this 1920 photo.
The Bureau of Construction and Repair letter of 21 May 1920, requesting information on any special painting and/or markings being used in the field showed most units to be painting their aircraft as specified. However, the reports show variations had been adopted locally by nearly every installation. Aircraft of the Atlantic Fleet Air Detachment were identified by a system of black and white stripes or squares on the hull of each flying boat. These had been developed to aid in joining up for squadron formations, allowing each aircraft to be recognized almost as far as it could be seen. This, of course, was not possible with the small serial numbers. The actual design was considered of no importance so long as the various designs were distinctive.
One aircraft was left with the original painting to which the last two digits of the serial number were painted on the sides of the hull. These numbers were repeated on the bottom of the hull, with the tops forward, in numerals 4 feet (121 .92 cm) high. While this system was satisfactory for the 6 flying boats of the detachment, its use in a larger force was questioned.
So-called ‘Dazzle’ finishes were appearing on USN seaplanes in 1917. The Burgess-Dunne Company initiated the finish, which was characterized by dark and light irregular patterns. NAF F5Ls were later seen and photographed in a dark and light striped pattern. F5Ls were also photographed in a checkerboard pattern of dark and light shades. A February 1917 C&R Report, File 13-Z-11 mentions Vermillion (approximately FS11140) and Off-White (approx. FS37778) as being used in the ‘Dazzle’ scheme. This color mention was part of a Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida Board of Painting Seaplanes Letter, same date.
Photo & text i.d. courtesy of Chris Hoehn & Alan Moore.
Aircraft i.d. courtesy of Alan Moore via Elliott, John M. The Official Monogram US Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Vol 1: 1911-1939. Boylston, MA: Monogram Aviation Publications, 1987. p22. & Doll, Thomas E. US Navy Aircraft Camouflage & Markings 1940-1945. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, 2003. p3.
BB-38 Pennsylvania95k A gathering of vessels appear off to the Pennsylvania's (BB-38) starboard side, possibly during when the combined Atlantic and Pacific Fleets met in Panama Bay, 21 Jan. 1921. USN photo courtesy of Robert Hurst.
BB-42 Idaho900kPresident Harding, COC of Uncle Sam's Navy, standing beneath the muzzles of the giant 14-inch rifles of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), flagship of the Atlantic Fleet, address the Fleet's officers on their return to Hampton Roads from the Southern waters saying: "Officers of the navy, I bid you make ours the most efficient, conscientious and effective navy in the service of any civilized nation, and I pledge to you in return the confidence and regard of one hundred and ten million people. Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
PDF courtesy of New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 08 May 1921, page 3, Image 65 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-38 Pennsylvania107kIn 1922 Vice Adml. Hilary P. Jones, was appointed Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet. He is seen here aboard the Pennsylvania (BB-38) on 23 June 1921. Digital ID: # npcc 04460. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division & submitted courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
BB-38 Pennsylvania1.0mFlag hoist, Pennsylvania (BB-38). USNIP., July 1921.Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels via USNIP.
BB-38 Pennsylvania121kPanoramic photograph of Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington by H.E. Wale, 1922, assembled from five separate images. This image scans West-North-East across the Navy Yard waterfront from alongside Pier Number Six.
Among the ships present are:
Pennsylvania (BB-38), at far left, with Coal Barge No. 322 and Floating Derrick No. 59 alongside her bow, and Coal Barge No. 372 in the distance, beyond the battleship's bow.
A U.S. Shipping Board 535-foot passenger ship, in drydock, left center;
Iroquois (AT-46), seen stern-on in the center;
Swallow (AM-4) in right center;
Somers (DD-301), right foreground; and
Delphy (DD-261) on the opposite side of the pier from Somers.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105300.
BB-38 Pennsylvania762kKite balloon, Pennsylvania (BB-38). USNIP., April, 1922.Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels via USNIP.
BB-36 Nevada66kSteaming with other battleships, during the early 1920s. Oklahoma (BB-37) is in the left background. The other ship is either Pennsylvania (BB-38) or Arizona (BB-39).USNHC # NH 50109, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
BB-38 Pennsylvania108kPort view of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), at anchor, 1920's photo. NH photo # NH 67586, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
BB-28 Delaware819kPanoramic photo of the U.S. fleet in Panama Bay (Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal) on 1 March 1923. 70 vessels are viewed; the Battle Fleet consists of all U.S. battleships from the Delaware (BB-28) through the Idaho (BB-42). Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, courtesy of Tom Kermen. Copyright R.G. Lewis, Y Photo Shop, Balboa, C.Z."
BB-38 Pennsylvania38kStarboard view, underway. Circa 1924.Jon Burdett.
BB-38 Pennsylvania79kThe Pennsylvania (BB-38) in Panama Canal, in Gaillard cut, near Cucaracha slide going north, 24 March 1924.USN / USNI Photo.
BB-38 Pennsylvania102kThe Pennsylvania (BB-38) in Panama Canal, in Pedro Miguel Locks, northbound, 24 March 1924. USN Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels.
BB-38 Pennsylvania143kPennsylvania (BB-38) in Pedro Miguel Locks, Panama Canal, circa 24 March 1924. Photo contributed by Robert Hurst. Photo taken from U.S. Warships of World War One, by P.H. Silverstone.
BB-38 Pennsylvania157kPennsylvania (BB-38) underway, before the addition of aircraft catapults, circa 1920 - mid 1920's. USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-38 Pennsylvania12k1920's image, 3 crew members have their photo taken while inside the barrels of Pennsylvania's (BB-38) 14" main guns. USN photo.
BB-38 Pennsylvania170k1920's photo of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) firing a broadside. Contributed by Darryl Baker.
BB-38 Pennsylvania104kPennsylvania (BB-38) leading two other battleships during maneuvers, during the 1920s. The other ships are two of these three: Colorado (BB-45), Maryland (BB-46) and West Virginia(BB-48). USNHC # NH 63346, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
Melbourne 360k Pennsylvania (BB-38) in Melbourne during 1924-25. Photo courtesy of Allan Greene via Chris Howell.
Photo added 02/01/12.
BB-38 Pennsylvania93kHumorist Will Rogers with crewmen of Pennsylvania (BB-38), on the battleship's after deck, 28 March 1928.USNHC # NH 42750, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
BB-38 Pennsylvania97kFlagship of the Pacific Fleet, seen here arriving in Honolulu in the late 1920's.USNI / USN photo.
BB-38 Pennsylvania33kImage of stern showing the placement of aircraft, circa late 20's. USN photo.
BB-45 Colorado103kColorado (BB-45) at Puget Sound Navy Yard on 5 April 1928. Newly installed 5"/25 open mounts and Mark 19 directors, with their altimeters are easily seen. She had also just been fitted with a protected flag battle station and with a powder catapult on her quarterdeck. The bridge has been enlarged. During a previous refit she had been fitted with a 12-foot armored range finder for flag use, on a platform just above the roof of No. 2 turret.
At the same time, air coolers and purifiers had been installed for her plotting room, central station, internal communication room, and torpedo tracking room. Main cage mast behind #2 turret belongs to an unidentified older battleship.
Note: Based purely on appearance, I believe this to be the mainmast of a Pennsylvania class (BB-38-39) battleship prior to modernization.) The positioning of the yardarms on the front of the mainmast, the positioning of the searchlights approximately 2/3 of the way up the mainmast, and the location and shape of the structure just below the searchlights appears to me to be identical between these two photos.
USN photo. Text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman.
Photo i.d. & text courtesy of Ronald J. Nash.
Battlefleet122kWatercolor of a Presidential review during President Hoover's term of office, 1928-32.
Crews line the rails of a Colorado class (BB-45-48) battleship as the ships pass in line astern of the reviewing stand with the airship Los Angeles (ZR-3) piercing the clouds accompanied by 9 biplanes.
Courtesy of Michael Schwarz.
Battlefleet56kView of the U.S. Battlefleet from above, possibly from the airship Los Angeles (ZR-3). Photo courtesy of periscopefilm.com.

PENNSYLVANIA BB-38 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. Jess Dennis
Address: 3053 Birchfield Dr Memphis, TN, 38127-7403
Phone: 901-357-0263
E-mail: jess@usspennsylvania.com


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.
BB-38 Web Page By Ken Munro
HyperWar Pacific Theater of Operations.
Pearl Harbor Attack: Commander Battle Force Action Report Naval Historical Center

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