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NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-40 USS NEW MEXICO
1915 - 1919

Radio Call Sign: November - Echo - Victor - November
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1920 - 1930
1931 - 1939
1940 - 1941
1942 - 1945
1946 - 1947

New Mexico Class Battleship: Displacement 32,000 Tons, Dimensions, 624' (oa) x 97' 5" x 31' 1" (Max). Armament 12 x 14"/50 22 x 5"/51, 8 x 3"/50 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Turrets, 3 1/2" +2" Decks, 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 27,500 SHP; G.E. Geared Turbines with electric drive, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 1084.

Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Navy Yard, October 14, 1915. Launched April 23, 1917. Commissioned May 18, 1918. Decommissioned July 19, 1946. Stricken February 25, 1947.
Fate: Sold November 9, 1947 and broken up for scrap in New York.
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BB-40 New Mexico 53k "Misses Margaret C. DeBaca Virginia Carr, sponsors for the new dreadnought & members of the launching party which came from New Mexico for the ceremony." Times Photo Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 29 April 1917, Page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-40 New Mexico 138k "Launching at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on last Monday of the U.S. superdreadnought New Mexico (BB-40), newest, and with her sister ships the largest and most powerful vessels in the Navy, and the world's first dreadnought to be driven by electric power." Times Photo Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 29 April 1917, Page 1, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-40 New Mexico 105k Capt. Ashley Herman Robertson was the Commanding Officer of the New Mexico (BB-40) from May 1918 to September 1918. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
BB-40 New Mexico 577k New Mexico (BB-40) starboard view, shortly after commissioning, circa 1919. Courtesy of Seaman 2nd Class Ralph D Gummerson via Al Gummerson & Tom Bateman & Philip H. Robare RMCS, USN - RET.
BB-40 New Mexico 108k After initial training, New Mexico (BB-40) departed New York 15 January 1919 for Brest, France, to escort home transport George Washington (ID-3018) carrying President Woodrow Wilson from the Versailles Peace Conference, returning to Hampton Roads 27 February. Photo taken from U.S. Warships of World War One, by P.H. Silverstone. Text courtesy of DANFS. Photo contributed by Robert Hurst.
BB-40 New Mexico 50k The magnificent sweep of her clipper bow is revealed by a spell in dry dock at the New York Navy Yard in the summer of 1919. Photo taken from Jane's Battleships of the 20th Century, by Bernard Ireland, & contributed by Robert Hurst.
BB-40 New Mexico 129k Photographed from an airplane, while steaming in line with other battleships, 13 April 1919. Note S.E.5A airplane atop the flying-off platform atop the battleship's second turret. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # NH 59949, now in the collections of the National Archives.
New York Harbor46k"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 fourth photo from the top on the New York 1920-1941 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.
New Mexico 86k Halftone reproduction of a photograph of the New Mexico's (BB-40) officers' Ward Room, with the table set for a meal, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105048. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 86k Halftone reproduction of a photograph of crew members exercising with her Number Four 5"/51 broadside gun, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105049. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 81k Halftone reproduction of a photograph of crew members reading and writing in the ship's reception room, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105050. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 82k Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in the ship's surgical operating room, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105051. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 64k Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in the ship's galley, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105052. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 64k Halftone reproduction of a photograph showing crewmembers scrubbing clothes on the ship's forecastle, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105053. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 89k Halftone reproduction of a photograph of a band concert held on the ship's quarterdeck, 1919. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105054. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 81k Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken on the ship's fore deck, looking aft on the port side, 1919. Note liferafts attached to turret sides (and one suspended from the forward turret's rangefinder). The text provided on the original print is incorrect. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105055. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
New Mexico 81k Halftone reproduction of a photograph of crew members on the ship's fore deck, with her two forward 14-inch triple gun turrets behind them, 1919. The text provided on the original print is incorrect. The view actually looks aft on the port side, from a position near the anchor capstans. This image was published in 1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning New Mexico. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105056. Donation of Edwin C. Finney, Jr., 2007, from the collection of J. Louise Finney.
BB-40 New Mexico 45k "America's first great Pacific Fleet on its historic journey by way of the Panama Canal to San Francisco where it is to be reviewed by President Wilson in the middle of this month. Leaving Hampton Roads in a majestic procession. Admiral Rodman's flagship, the dreadnought New Mexico (BB-40), appearing in the foreground." Photo by Underwood & Underwood, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 3 August 1919, Page 5, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-40 New Mexico 289k The New Mexico (BB-40) on 16 July 1919 became flagship of the newly-organized Pacific Fleet, and three days later sailed for the Panama Canal and San Pedro, Calif., arriving 9 August. USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Text courtesy of DANFS.
BB-40 New Mexico 134k New Mexico (BB-40) traverses the Culebra Cut, Panama Canal, 25 July 1919. U.S. Navy Photograph courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 89k New Mexico (BB-40) in the middle west chamber, Gatun Locks, Panama Canal, 25 July 1919. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # NH 75719, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 296k Deck view from the New Mexico (BB-40) in the Panama Canal, 1919. Associated Press photo courtesy of San Francisco Examiner via David S. Smith.
BB-40 New Mexico 339k New Mexico (BB-40) and Wyoming (BB-32) passing through Miraflores lock, 8 August 1919. Associated Press text & photo courtesy of San Francisco Examiner via David S. Smith.
BB-40 New Mexico 515k Wyoming (BB-32) and the stern of the New Mexico (BB-40) passing through Gatun lock, 8 August 1919. Associated Press text & photo courtesy of San Francisco Examiner via David S. Smith.
BB-40 New Mexico 257k USS Navy Fleet In Panama Canal; (Visit of Panama President, standing, wearing a gray suit and standing on the gangway platform)in Panama Canal aboard the New Mexico (BB-40), 26 July 1919. Associated Press text & photo courtesy of San Francisco Examiner via David S. Smith.
BB-40 New Mexico 201k At the main-truck of the electric marvel floats the four star flag of Admiral Rodman, C & C of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Associated Press text & photo courtesy of San Francisco Examiner via David S. Smith.
BB-40 New Mexico 51k Twin Billing:
"The Superdreadnought New Mexico (BB-40), Admiral Rodman's flagship of the new Pacific Fleet, firing the salute of nineteen guns in honor of Secretary Daniels at the first review of the Fleet in Pacific waters."
Secretary of the Navy Daniels and Admiral Rodman, commander of the Pacific Fleet, receiving citizens of San Diego on board the flagship New Mexico .		 Times World Wide Photo, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 24 August 1919, Page 6, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-40 New Mexico 19k "President Wilson, Secretary of the Navy Daniels and others of the reviewing party stand with bare heads while..." Times Wide World Photo Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 28 September 1919, Page 7, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-40 New Mexico 51k ...The superdreadnought New Mexico (BB-40), flagship of the Pacific Fleet, steamed past with the band playing The Star Spangled Banner.
The new American Pacific Fleet, first great dreadnought squadron on the Pacific coast, making it's historic entry into Seattle Harbor for its first review by the President of the United States." 		Times Wide World Photo Service, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 28 September 1919, Page 7, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
New Mexico class 157k Sept. 1919. Admiral Hugh Rodman (on the left) Commander, Battleship Division 9, Pacific Fleet, on the Bridge of the New Mexico (BB-40). (Note: I have not absolutely I.D. the Captain on the right.) Image from the Bancroft Library. University of California, Berkeley, courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
BB-40 New Mexico 62k "The dreadnought New Mexico (BB-40), flagship of the newly created Pacific Fleet, entering the Golden Gate, San Francisco, in a pathway of equally golden sunlight, as seen from a Navy seaplane in flight nearly a thousand feet above." U.S. Navy official Photo, from Kadel & Herbert, text courtesy of N.Y. Times, 21 December 1919, Page 7, courtesy of memory.loc.gov.
BB-40 New Mexico 701k Crew of the New Mexico (BB-40) posed on deck, on large guns. Photo inscription is Long Beach, California. Photo # J239186 U.S. Copyright Office. Digital ID: cph 3c08389 Source: Library of Congress, by C.E. Waterman, Long Beach, Calif. Photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
BB-40 New Mexico 225k Port side beam of the New Mexico (BB-40) underway, circa 1919. The next 12 years were marked by frequent combined maneuvers with the Atlantic fleet both in the Pacific and Caribbean which included visits to South American ports and a 1925 cruise to Australia and New Zealand. USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
BB-40 New Mexico 210k Two officers gigs and a lighter are moored alongside the New Mexico (BB-40), circa 1919, in San Francisco Bay. USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
BB-40 New Mexico 70k Sailor tightens an oil refueling coupling on board, circa 1919. The original caption reads: "Coaling ship holds no terrors for the gobs on the New Mexico (BB-40) as on our latest oil burning types of super dreadnaught all that is necessary is to connect the hose and turn on the valve." Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # NH 45320, now in the collections of the National Archives.
USS NEW MEXICO BB-40 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. Vernon Dascher
Address: 3064 DeVilla Tr. Saint Louis, MO, 63301
Phone: 636-949-9413
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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