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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. |
 | 624k | WORK ON BATTLESHIP
TO COMMENCE SOON
Secretary Daniels Orders New York Navy Yard to Begin on (BB-39)
LARGEST SHIP IN THE NAVY | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo by The Washington Herald. (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 13 June 1913, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 1.01k | 16 March 1914 photo of the keel being laid for the Arizona (BB-39). | Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.] 1866-1924, 17 March 1914, Image 16, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 63k | 16 March 1914 photo of the keel being laid for the Arizona (BB-39). | USN photo, contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 604k | KEEL LAYING OF WORLD'S BIGGEST WARSHIP, NAVAL CONSTRUCTOR AND THE NEW YORK (BB-34).
The keel of the largest battleship in the world, known officially as No. 39 of the United States navy, has been laid at the Brooklyn navy yard, and work is being pushed so as to complete the great fighter within ten months. No. 39, which will likely be christened North Carolina, is 608 feet long and 31,000 tons burden. Her main battery will consist of twelve fourteen-inch guns, two more than the New York, the latest super-dreadnought to be finished for Uncle Sam at the same yards, and which will have her trial tests within the next month. Naval Constructor Robert Stocker, who has charge of No. 39 and under whose direction the New York was built, says the Brooklyn navy yard is setting a record for battleship construction in point of time. | Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
Photo from The Democratic Banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 20 March 1914, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 64k | 2 April 1914 photo of the Arizona (BB-39) construction. The raised floors that will support the machinery is easily visible here. Fuel storage tanks will be constructed under this platform. | USN photo, contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 62k | 3 May 1914 photo of the Arizona (BB-39) being constructed. The inner side of the torpedo protection system, the holding bulkhead is visible. | USN photo, contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 63k | 2 June 1914 photo of the Arizona (BB-39) being constructed. Machinery spaces bulkhead construction has begun. | USN photo, contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 73k | 2 July 1914 photo of the Arizona's (BB-39) construction. Bulkheads for the machinery spaces are in place. | USN photo, contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 131k | Arizona (BB-39) on 21 April 1915.
| Digital ID # ggbain 18886v, LC-B2-3447-13. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection. |
 | 53k | The delegation from Arizona at the launch of Arizona (BB-39). Miss Esther Ross in holding the christening bottles and halyard. The man visible behind her hat is Governor of Arizona, George Hunt. | USN photo. |
 | 417k | Arizona (BB-39) nearly ready for launching, 18 June 1915, with much of her underwater hull visible. One of her torpedo tubes is visible just above the outboard propeller shaft. A pair of similar tubes forward were deleted during construction. | USN photo, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 486k | Arizona (BB-39) nearly ready for launching, 18 June 1915, with much of her underwater hull visible. Also visible are the unusual bilge keels which consisted of two separate sections; what appears to be another keel below the after bilge keel is a docking keel, to help support the ship in drydock. All ten 5-inch casemates are clearly visible. | USN photo courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
 | 1.98k | READY FOR LAUNCHING OF THE ARIZONA (BB-39) TODAY
Miss Esther Ross, Sponsor of the battleship Arizona. Left to right: Miss Salee King; and Miss Eva Behn of Phoenix, maids of honor to Miss Ross. | Image and text provided by The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation.
Photo from The Sun. (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 19 June 1915, Image 14, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 85k | Hats off on the Arizona's (BB-39) launching. | Photo courtesy of flickr via Bill Gonyo. |
 | 67k | Arizona's (BB-39) launch, 19th June 1915. | USN photo. |
 | 167k | Arizona's (BB-39) launch, 19th June 1915. | USN photo by Enrique Muller. |
 | 27k | The obverse of the Launch Tag for the Arizona (BB-39) on 19 June 1915.
| Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. |
 | 38k | The reverse of the Launch Tag for the Arizona (BB-39) on 19 June 1915. | Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. |
 | 880k | NO Hoodoo ON UNCLE SAMS BIGGEST BATTLESHIP; THE CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE BROKE, THE WATER BOTTLE DIDN'T.
The Arizona (BB-39), largest and most heavily armed battleship, leaving the ways in the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday. | Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.] 1866-1924, 20 June 1915, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 978k | Arizona (BB-39), World's Mightiest Super-dreadnought, Launched, as Thousands at Navy Yard Cheer | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo courtesy of New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.] 1866-1924, 20 June 1915, Image 10 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 1.90k | Launching of American Battleships of Latest Types
The U.S. DREADNOUGHT PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38), OF LARGEST AND MOST POWERFUL CLASS STARTING DOWN THE WAYS TO THE WATERS OF NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA MARCH 16, 1915.
THE AMERICAN DREADNOUGHT ARIZONA (BB-39) OF 32,000 TONS TAKING THE WATER. SHE WAS THE FIRST FIGHTING SHIP BUILT FOR ANY NATION EQUIPPED WITH THE ELECTRIC DRIVE. | Photos by Bain News Service & International 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.
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 | 78k | LAUNCH AMERICA'S
GREATEST WARSHIP
BATTLESHIP ARIZONA (BB-39), SISTER SHIP OF THE SUPER DREADNOUGHT PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38), SLIDING INTO THE WATER AT BROOKLYN NAVY YARD LAST SATURDAY. BELOW A PICTURE OF MISS ESTHER ROSS OF PRESTON, ARIZONA, AS SHE SMASHED THE BOTTLE OF ROOSEVELT DAM WATER AGAINST THE SHIP AND CHRISTENED HER. | Image and text provided by Washington State Library; Olympia, WA.
Photo from The Tacoma Times.(Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 24 June 1915, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 42k | Members of the launching party on the grandstand, with the prow of the Arizona (BB-39) in the background. In the group left to right are: Misses Eva Behn and Salee King. Maids of Honor; Miss Esther Ross, Sponsor: Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, Miss Marie Farroll, Maid of Honor; Governor George W. P. Hunt of Arizona, and Mrs. Ross, Mother of the Sponsor. | Photo by American Press Assn., & text from the N.Y. Times, 27 June 1915, page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
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 | 164k | A primer-red Arizona (BB-39) slides out into the East River, towards the Williamsburg Bridge as two tugboats move her out after her launching on 19th June 1915. | USN photo & text courtesy of ibiblio.org via Bill Gonyo. |
 | 182k | Panoramic view of the crowd visiting the Arizona (BB-39) and the super-dreadnought Arkansas (BB-33) after the launching. | Photo by Gorodess from Underwood & Underwood & text from the N.Y. Times, 27 June 1915, page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. |
 | 699k | UNCLE SAM HAS REAL QUEENS' OF THE SEA
U. S. Dreadnoughts, Arizona (BB-39) and Pennsylvania (BB-38) Will Spurn Submarines
They Have Armor Protection and Armament So Great That Undersea Craft Will Be Rendered Ineffective Against Them
Last Word In Naval Construction After Lessons Of the Present European War | Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library.
Photo from The Ogden Standard.(Ogden City, Utah) 1913-1920, 17 July 1915, 4 P.M. CITY EDITION, MAGAZINE SECTION, Image 16, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 675k | PLAN TO DOUBLE PRESENT ANGLE OF FIRE ON AMERICAN BATTLESHIPS | Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
Photo from The Democratic Banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 03 September 1915, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
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 | 789k | A drawing of the Arizona (BB-39) in a work of fiction. | Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library.
Photo from The Ogden Standard. (Ogden City, Utah) 1913-1920, 29 April 1916, 4 P.M. CITY EDITION, Image 13, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 741k | ARIZONA (BB-39) IN NAVY; 3 OTHERS RETIRED
Capt. John D. McDonald of the Arizona is in the insert. | Image and text provided by The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation.
Photo from The Sun. (New York, [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 18 October 1916, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
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 | 531k | The super-dreadnought Arizona (BB-39), latest addition to the Atlantic fleet and one cf the most powerful ships in the world, has just entered the service of Uncle Sam, fully, manned and ready for action. This addition to the Navy is far from a clear gain in strength, however, since it was necessary to strip three other battleships of their crews and place them in reserve to find a full complement of men for the new fighter. The 911 men who make up the crew of the Arizona were formerly on the Vermont (BB-20), the Kansas (BB-21) and the New Hampshire (BB-25). | Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH.
Photo from The Democratic Banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 20 October 1916, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
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716k |
WAKING UP TO REALITIES AFTER JOSEPHUS DANIEL'S DREAM
The battleship New Hampshire (BB-25), idle now for lack of a crew.
The battleship Vermont (BB-20), which was sent to the "graveyard" that her crew might help man the super-dreadnought Arizona (BB-39), pictured above.
The Kansas (BB-21), another useful fighting ship sent to the "graveyard".
Grave Doubts Cast Upon Secretary's Statement That the Efficiency of Navy Has Been Increased
Another Side to Story of Trading the Super-dreadnought Arizona for Three Old Battleships | Image and text provided by The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation.
Photo & text by The Sun. (New York, [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 29 October 1916, SECTION 5 SPECIAL FEATURE SUPPLEMENT, Image 52, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 97k | Bow view of the Arizona (BB-39) probably fitting out with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
| Digital ID # ggbain 23065v, LC-B2-4026-5. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection.
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 | 397k | Two views of the ship in the East River, New York City, at the time of her trials, circa mid-1916. Arizona (BB-39) is accompanied by many tugs, and has small pine trees mounted in her mast tops. Tug Hudson (AT) is in the lower center. | USNHC # NH 94785 photographed by Enrique Muller, Jr.
Photograph by Edward M. Mitchell courtesy of Tommy Trampp. |
 | 2.8m | The Arizona (BB-39) leaving Brooklyn Navy Yard on her shakedown cruise. As completed, the ship had very little superstructure and a small bridge. Rangefinders are visible atop both masts. The mast mounted radio antennae have been lowered for passage under the East River bridges. The Panama Canal and the height of the East River bridges set the size limitations for United States battleships through the WW II era Iowa class (BB-61-64).
A higher resolution photo from "Our Navy", published by the L.H. Nelson Co., Portland, Maine in 1917, is available here. | Text contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications.
Photo by Brown Brothers from "Our Navy", published by the L.H. Nelson Co., Portland, Maine in 1917, courtesy of David Johnston (USNR). |
 | 876k | Commissioning ceremonies on the Arizona (BB-39) on 17 October 1916.
| Library of Congress photo LC-B2-4026-9, courtesy of Mike Green.
Photo added 02/07/13. |
 | 673k | The Arizona (BB-39) in commission; 17 October 1916. | Library of Congress photo LC-DIG-ggbain-23070, courtesy of Mike Green.
Photo added 02/07/13. |
 | 96k | "The ceremonies aboard a ship in commission when the ensign is raised and lowered are most impressive. At morning "colors" the band plays the national anthem and the flag is hoisted smartly. All officers face the ensign and salute and the guard of the day and the sentries present arms. At sunset "colors" the ensign is lowered slowly and with dignity as the national anthem is played all officers and enlisted men facing the colors and saluting".
View from the stern of the Arizona (BB-39) during her commissioning ceremony on 17 Oct 1916 in New York. | Photo by Paul Thompson from the book "Flags Of The World", by McCandless and Grosvenor, published in 1917 by the National Geographic Society and submitted by John Chiquoine. |
 | 241k | A fully armed Arizona (BB-39) with civilians on deck is showed in the first year of her operational life. | BuShips photo #19-N-6-19-28 via National Archives. Photo courtesy of David Buell.
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 | 568k | BOOM PROOFS ON THE FIGHTING MASTS OF THE ARIZONA (BB-39) IS THE LATEST NAVAL WRINKLE | Photo by Underwood & Underwood.
Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo by Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 14 November 1916, Night Extra, Image 18 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 575k | Stern view of the Arizona (BB-39) showing the aft main guns, looking forward.
| Library of Congress photo LC-B2-4026-8, courtesy of Mike Green.
Photo added 02/07/13. |
 | 624k | "The new American super-dreadnought Arizona (BB-39). Recently commissioned leaving New York for the first time to join the Atlantic Fleet on the high seas."
U. S. Fleet, Reviewed by President, Saved by American Woman Who Toyed With German Spies | Photo by Underwood & Underwood, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 19 November 1916, Page 2, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Photo by The Washington Times.(Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 05 May 1918, FINAL EDITION, Image 8 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 67k | Arizona (BB-39) poses for a post commissioning photo by N. Moser of N.Y., probably after she returned to her builders yard the day before Christmas of 1916 for post-shakedown overhaul to have her forward secondary guns removed. | Photo contributed by Robert M. Cieri. Partial text courtesy of DANFS. |
 | 107k | Oil on canvas painting by the artist Stan Stokes entitled "Christmas in New York".
The Arizona (BB-39) enters the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1916. | Photo and text courtesy of oldgloryprints.com
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 | 89k | Arizona's (BB-39) Marine detachment in formation 1916.
| USN photo contributed by Robert M. Cieri. |
 | 62k | Starboard view sometime circa late 1916 or very early 1917 because the forward most secondary gun positions still have guns in them, and these guns were removed shortly after commissioning. | Larry Bonn / USN photo. |
 | 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.
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 | 678k | "SMOKELESS" U. S. BATTLESHIP GOING AT TOP SPEED
One of the efficiency tests of a warship fleet is to control oil and coal firing so as to make the least possible smoke. Excessive belching of smoke is now considered gross inefficiency on the part of the engineering force.
| Image and text provided by The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation.
Photo by The Evening World. (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 02 April 1917, Final Edition, Image 3, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 467k | A brand new picture of the Arizona (BB-39), the latest dreadnought to join the Atlantic Fleet, hitting it up at a 16 knot clip in line of breast formation.
Below, another new photo of the Arizona coming bow on at full speed with guns trained for a starboard broadside. | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo courtesy of New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.] 1866-1924, 2 December 1917, Image 59 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 177k | "U.S. Battleships in Line of Column led by one of the largest Super-dreadnoughts".
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.
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 | 58k | "Armor piercing shells weighing half a ton or more apiece 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.
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 | 59k | Steaming in formation with other Atlantic Fleet battleships, during gunnery practice, circa 1917. | USNHC # NH 95244 now in the collections of the National Archives, Courtesy of H.E. Coffer. |
 | 199k | This rare oil painting by American artist Burnell Poole, "The 6th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet Leaving the Firth of Forth", is one of less than two dozen paintings owned by the Navy that depicts U.S. naval operations in World War One (WWI). After years of being considered a total loss by Navy Art Gallery curators it has been restored to near perfect condition. The entire process took several months, but the result is the total recovery of a painting that is sure to establish Burnell Poole's name among the best marine painters of the early 20th century.
The composition of the ships of the 6th Battle Squadron during their operational history, appearing in the painting in no particular order were: Delaware (BB-28), Florida (BB-30),Wyoming (BB-32), Arkansas (BB-33), New York (BB-34), Texas (BB-35), & Arizona (BB-39). | Photo and partial text courtesy of Naval Historical Center, Washington, D.C., File photo # N-0000X-001.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.] 1866-1924, 09 June 1918, Image 36, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. |
 | 67k | Captain John Daniel McDonald was the Commanding Officer of the battleship Arizona (BB-39) from 17 September 1916 to 18 February 1918. | Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
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 | 106k | Captain Josiah Slutts McKean was the Commanding Officer of the Arizona (BB-39) from February 1918 to 11 September 1918.
| Photo #15824v courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
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 | 93k | Capt. John Havens Dayton was the commanding officer of the battleship Arizona (BB-39) from 11 Sept. 1918 to 26 June 1920.
| Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
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 | 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. |
 | 147k | Arizona (BB-39) off New York in December, 1918 showing early post-WW I modifications. These included windshields for the anti-torpedo secondary control positions, and an expanded, chart house included, bridge works. Wet 5" guns, both forward and aft, have been removed and she's armed with 3" guns on #3 turret and just forward of her forecastle break. | USN photo contributed by Mike Green, courtesy of Leeward Publications. |
