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NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-40 USS NEW MEXICO
1942 - 1947

Radio Call Sign: November - Echo - Victor - November
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1915 - 1919
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1940 - 1941

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 58k New Mexico(BB-40) port side view underway. USN photo from "Our Navy" Magazine, 1943, courtesy of Stan Svec.
BB-40 New Mexico 73k Off the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, following overhaul, 6 October 1943. A barge and motor launch are alongside her port quarter, with Sailors coming on board from the latter. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # NH 97414, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 70k Bow view off the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, following overhaul, 6 October 1943. Official USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 190k Photo of the New Mexico(BB-40), possibly following overhaul at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, 6 October 1943. USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
BB-40 New Mexico 64k New Mexico (BB-40) class line drawing, 11/43. Courtesy of Joe Radigan.
BB-40 New Mexico 303k New Mexico(BB-40) underway near Pearl Harbor sometime around Nov. 1943. She is wearing Measure 21 camoflauge with a new gallery of 20mm Oerlikons P&S of her Stack and SK atop her mainmast. U.S. Navy Photograph submitted by Pieter Bakels. Photo added 03/06/08.
BB-38 Pennsylvania78kBack at Pearl Harbor after supporting the Gilbert Island invasion, Nov. 1943. The Pennsylvania (BB-38) (left) is shown tied up to the New Mexico (BB-40). The Pennsylvania has been modernized, with increased A.A. protection, and the removal of the tripod mainmast, which increased the A.A. weapons arcs of fire.USN photo.
BB-42 Idaho98kPhotographed from Natoma Bay (CVE-62), shortly after the conclusion of the Gilberts Campaign, Sept - Dec. 1943. The three battleships, in an anchorage protected by anti-torpedo nets, are (from left to right): Idaho (BB-42); New Mexico (BB-40); and Mississippi (BB-41).Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-275940, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-42 Idaho106kThe Idaho (BB-42), New Mexico (BB-40) Mississippi (BB-41) at Pearl Harbor sometime after 5 December 1943. All three battleships then proceeded with the Marshall Islands assault force 12 January 1944. Photo courtesy of Joseph MacDonald. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
BB-40 & 42 381k New Mexico (BB-40) & Idaho (BB-42) 7 December 1943, at Pearl Harbor. Note the anti-torpedo net in the foreground. Official USN Photograph # 4-ORD-085-16, courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 309k Stern view of the New Mexico (BB-40) viewed from one of her sisters, possibly at Pearl Harbor. Note the anti-torpedo net in the foreground. USN Photograph courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 117k Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for Camouflage Measure 32, Design 6D intended for battleships of the BB-40 class. This plan, approved by Captain Logan McKee, USN, is dated 16 February 1944. It shows the ship's starboard side, superstructure ends and exposed decks. Ships known or reported to have worn this camouflage design include New Mexico (BB-40) and Mississippi (BB-41) . Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 80-G-166247, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 100k Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for Camouflage Measure 32, Design 6D intended for battleships of the BB-40 class. This plan, approved by Captain Logan McKee, USN, is dated 16 February 1944. It shows the ship's port side, superstructure ends and exposed decks. Ships known or reported to have worn this camouflage design include New Mexico (BB-40) and Mississippi (BB-41) . Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 80-G-166246, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 129k New Mexico's (BB-40) 5"/25 battery prepares to fire during the bombardment of Saipan, 15 June 1944. Note time-fuze setters on the left side of each gun mount, each holding three "fixed" rounds of ammunition; barrels of 20mm machine guns at the extreme right; and triple 14"/50 guns in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 80-G-K-14162, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 50k New Mexico's (BB-40) firing her guns in support of invasion of Saipan, June 1944. USNI / USN photo.
BB-40 New Mexico 59k New Mexico (BB-40) firing her after 14"/50 guns during the pre-invasion bombardment of Guam, circa 14-20 July. Taken by a Combat Photo Unit Two (CPU-2) photographer, looking aft along the port side from the forward sky lookout position. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-K-14233, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 159k 14-inch projectiles on deck, while the battleship was replenishing her ammunition supply prior to the invasion of Guam, July 1944. The photograph looks forward on the starboard side, with triple 14"/50 gun turrets at left. Note floater nets stowed atop the turrets. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-K-14228, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 111k Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for Camouflage Measure 32, Design 3D intended for battleships of the BB-40 class. This plan, approved by Captain Torvald A. Solberg, USN, is dated 18 August 1944. It shows the ship's starboard side, horizontal surfaces and superstructure ends. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 19-N-104916, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives
BB-40 New Mexico 113kDrawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for battleships of the BB-40 class. This plan, approved by Captain Torvald A. Solberg, USN, is dated 19 August 1944. It shows the ship's port side. Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 19-N-104915, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives
BB-40 New Mexico 92k October 1944 photo of the ship showing her final configuration. Ultimate battery of ten quadruple 40mm guns are in place along with 40-45 20mm Oerlikons. All but her six forward 5"/51 caliber guns have been replaced with the dual purpose although somewhat short range 5"/25 caliber open mounts and 40mm quad mounts wherever room was available. USN photo.
BB-40 New Mexico 92k Port side view wearing Camouflage Measure 32, Design 3D on 21 October 1944, Puget Sound Navy Yard. Official USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 68k 21 October 1944, Puget Sound Navy Yard. Official USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 45k Bow view, port side of the New Mexico (BB-40) at Puget Sound Navy Yard. 21 October 1944. Photo # 3392-44, courtesy of Mike Green.
BB-40 New Mexico 124k October, 1944 stern shot of the New Mexico (BB-40) at Puget Sound Navy Yard. Particularly noticeable is the removal of the #3 turret mounted catapult. She retained the fantail catapult and usually carried two planes. Searchlights have been lowered to almost the base of the stack. Official USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 20k Damage caused to the New Mexico (BB-40) after being hit by a "Kamikaze" on 6 January 1945. Photo from WWII Damage Reports, courtesy of NavSea / dcfp.navy.mil.
BB-40 New Mexico 70k At sea with two other battleships and an amphibious force command ship (AGC), probably at the time of the Iwo Jima or Okinawa operations, circa February-April 1945. Battleship in the center background is Idaho (BB-42). The one further to the left is either Tennessee (BB-43) or California (BB-44). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-K-3706, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 62k New Mexico (BB-40) is hit by a "Kamikaze" at dusk on 12 May 1945, while off Okinawa. Photographed from Wichita (CA-45). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-328653, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-40 New Mexico 27k Damage caused to the New Mexico (BB-40) after being hit by a "Kamikaze" on 12 May 1945, off the coast of Okinawa. Photo from WWII Damage Reports, courtesy of NavSea / dcfp.navy.mil.
BB-40 New Mexico 92k New Mexico (BB-40) probably dated 13 May, the day after a kamikaze hit and a bomb hit killed 54 of her crew, some of who are shown in this photograph under the flags. USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 155k Admirals William F. Halsey (left) and Raymond A. Spruance (right) aboard New Mexico (BB-40) on 27 May 1945. New Mexico had become 5th fleet flagship of Admiral Spruance the previous 5 April. USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
BB-40 New Mexico 521k "Your's-For a Price" - If you'd like to buy a real live battleship, get your bid to the Navy no later than Tuesday for the 30,600 ton, 29 year old New Mexico (BB-40). Only hitch in the deal; you have to scrap it as soon possible. After all, Uncle Sam wouldn't care for the competition. Here it is, afloat in Boston, for your inspection.
Note that the secondary armament has already been removed.		 AP wirephoto courtesy of Sunday News New York's Picture Newpaper 28 Sept. 1947, submitted by Joe MacDonald.
BB-40 New Mexico 357k "Hero's Welcome" - The city of Newark gretted the old battleship New Mexico (BB-40) with school bands, flags and hurrahs as she came to the port for scrapping after a Washington parley had avverted the "Battle of Newark Bay".
The city's "navy" of two tiny fireboats that had planned to bar the the port channel's mouth saluted the battleship with streams of water. 		AP wirephoto courtesy of edition of the Baltimore Evening Sun 20 Nov 1947., submitted by Joe MacDonald.
BB-32 Wyoming361k"Battleship Graveyard" - Three decommissioned battleships, the Idaho (BB-42) (left foreground), the Wyoming (AG-17), (right foreground), and the New Mexico (BB-40), lie alongside a pier at Port Newark, N.J. were they are being scrapped.
Workmen have progressed with the New Mexico which was the subject of considerable controversy between Newark city officials and the scrapping concern. The Wyoming, most recent arrivial, has its gun turrets protected by round white coverings. 		Text courtesy of AP wirephoto of 17 Dec 1947 edition of the Baltimore Evening Sun, submitted by Joe MacDonald. Photo courtesy of Warship Boneyards, by Kit and Carolyn Bonner & submitted by Robert Hurst. Photo added 04/28/08.
BB-40 New Mexico 59k New Mexico(BB-40) anchored in the Tokyo Bay area, circa late August 1945, at the end of WW II. Mount Fuji is in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # NH 50232, now in the collections of the National Archives.
(NISMF)371kA guest studies a painting depicting the history of battleships. The artwork was painted by George Skybeck and presented to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association during their annual banquet at Honolulu, Hawaii, on 8 Dec 1991. USN photo # DN-SC-92-05391, by PHC Carolyn Harris, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
World War II Memorial371kA quote made by Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz is inscribed on a granite wall at the National World War II Memorial located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Fleet Adm. Nimitz was the United States signatory to the surrender terms aboard the battleship Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay, Japan on 2 Sept. 1945, thus ending World War II. Established by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the memorial honors all military veterans of World War II, the citizens on the home front, the nation at large, and the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation's call to arms. On 29 May 2004, the memorial will be formally dedicated with an estimated 200,000 people expected to attend, and includes 100,000 visiting veterans of all wars. U.S. Navy photo # N-0295M-011 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
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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