Please Report Any Broken Links Or Trouble You Might Come Across To The Webmaster.
Please Take A Moment To Let Us Know So That We Can Correct Any Problems And Make Your Visit As Enjoyable And As Informative As Possible.

NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-42 USS IDAHO
1919 - 1929

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Victor - Xray
To Additional Pages

1930 - 1939
1940 - 1943
1944 - 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, 32,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 1084.

Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Shipbuilding, Camden, N.J., April 5, 1915. Launched January 25, 1917. Commissioned December 18, 1917.
Fate: Decommissioned 3 July, 1946 and was placed in reserve until sold for scrap 24 November, 1947 to Lipsett Inc., of New York City.
Click On Image
For Full Size Image		SizeImage DescriptionContributed
By And/Or Copyright
BB-42 Idaho24k"Miss H. A. Simmons, granddaughter of the Governor Moses Alexander of Idaho, sponsor for the nation's newest sea fighter." Photo by International News Service, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. Text courtesy of N.Y. Times 8 July 1917, Page 2.
BB-42 Idaho138k"The U.S. superdreadnought Idaho (BB-42) launched at yards of the New York Shipbuilding,Camden, N.J.. The Idaho is here shown fast slipping down the ways on her baptismal plunge."Photo by International News Service, courtesy of memory.loc.gov. Text courtesy of N.Y. Times 8 July 1917, Page 2.
Idaho 592k The battleship Idaho (BB-42) as she left the ways at the yards of her builders, the New York Shipbuilding Company. The vessel when completed will add another powerful unit to the American Navy's fighting force. Her sponsor, Miss Henrietta A. Simmons, granddaughter of Governor Alexander, of Idaho, is shown below the vessel upon which she bestowed the name. Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 30 June 1917, Night Extra, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Carl Theodore Vogelgesang147kOn 9 January 1919, Capt. Carl Theodore Vogelgesang took charge of the fitting out of Idaho (BB-42) at Camden, N.J., and assumed command of her when that battleship was placed in commission on 24 March 1919. He commanded Idaho until June 1920 when he became the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. Photo from the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
BB-42 Idaho516kHeavest fighting craft afloat, the Superdreadnought Idaho (BB-42). Image provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 07 March 1919, Image 24, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-42 Idaho616kThe mightiest superdreadnought of the U.S. Navy at the yards of the of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, in Camden, ready to move across the Delaware River to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where tho great fighting craft will officially "join the navy." Image provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 19 March 1919, Image 32, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Idaho 1.14k Worlds Greatest Sea Fighter Reaches New York
.		 Photo by Underwood & Underwood
Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo & text by New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 6 April 1919, Image 4, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Idaho 551k BIG GUNS OF THE BATTLESHIP IDAHO (BB-42)
Three gobs looking out of the muzzles of the big guns on our latest and largest battleship that was recently launched at Philadelphia. The Idaho is the largest ship in the United States Navy.		 Image and text provided by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE.
Photo & text by The North Platte Semi-Weekly Tribune.(North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922, 02 May 1919, Image 3, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
BB-42 Idaho797kIdaho (BB-42) fitting out at New York Ship Building Corporation on 23 June 1919 as is shown here, the Idaho was the first battleship not to befitted with hull mounted secondary guns. The ports were plated over before she was commissioned; the ports remained as the hull design was identical to her sisters, New Mexico (BB-40) and Mississippi (BB-41). She is equipped with a small bridge which is topped with a "tent" where a main battery range finder will be mounted.
The destroyer across the ways looks to have the number 20 painted on her bow. She is still under construction, and probably hasn't reached the stage where they paint an identification number on the hull. I would guess that the destroyer is either Leary (DD-158) or one of her sisters.		National Archives photo # 19-N-11413, courtesy of David Buell. Photo i.d. & partial text i.d. courtesy of Aryeh Weterhorn.
BB-42 Idaho100k1919 photo of the Idaho (BB-42) basically as completed. Foremast range clock is clearly visible.USN photo.
BB-42 Idaho150kNewly completed and commissioned in 1920, the Idaho (BB-42) is shown at speed. Short flying off platforms are mounted on #2 and #3 turrets and two 3" A.A. guns are mounted even with her derricks. Six more 3" A.A. guns were later mounted on the 01 level. Note semaphore signalman atop her second turret.USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Text from USNHC photo # NH 73983.
BB-43 Tennessee 237k Foreground is definitely Tennessee (BB-43). In the middle and upper right are both BB-40 class; I would say the middle is Idaho (BB-42) (darker camouflage note also the fantail catapult) and upper right is Mississippi (BB-41), less certain but based on main mast platforms verses the New Mexico (BB-40). Middle background is New York (BB-34)(navigation bridge not over hanging conning tower). The far left background is the Texas (BB-35) (blunt bow, 2 funnels).
The aircraft is a Naval Aircraft Factory / Curtiss / Canadian Aeroplane Ltd F-5L.
The date of Mr. Kreisman's photo has to be 1920-1921. By 1922 all 14' and 16" gunned BB's (except New York and Texas as the 5th turret did not leave enough deck space) had been fitted with a compressed air catapult on the stern. The presence of a stern A/C catapult on only one of the three 1916 program BB's suggest this early in the introduction of this equipment but late enough for the turret top fly-off platforms to have been removed from all ships present. In 1919 the Battle Fleet shifted its base to San Pedro in California where it remained based until shifted to Pearl Harbor. The Texas and New York were assigned to that fleet until they returned east for modernization in 1925. This would suggest that the photo was taken some where in the Pacific. The rich flora onshore suggest a tropical climate and the enclosed by would lead me to guess Panama or Gitmo. If the 1920 or 1921 Fleet problem was conducted in Atlantic waters could explain an Atlantic based aircraft with a Pacific based Fleet. 		Photo courtesy of Lance Kreisman via Fabio Pen~a. Photo & text i.d. courtesy of Chris Hoehn & Alan Moore.
Aircraft i.d. courtesy of Alan Moore via Larkins, William T. US Navy Aircraft 1921-1941/US Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959. [The image came from the USMC aircraft section, pg(9).] Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1995. (originally published as US Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959, copyright 1959, and US Navy Aircraft 1921-1941, copyright 1961).
BB-42 Idaho531kAMERICAN GOBS LOOK DOWN ON RIO
 Sailors of the battleship Idaho (BB-42), which recently returned from the South Atlantic and the Panama canal, viewing the wonders of Rio de Janeiro, from a mountain top.		 Image and text provided by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE.
Photo from The North Platte Semi-Weekly Tribune.(North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922, 12 March 1920, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Photo added 07/24/11.
BB-42 Idaho129kIdaho (BB-42) seen in the Panama Canal, circa 1920's.USNI / USN photo.
BB-42 Idaho 56k Captain Charles Lincoln Hussey was the Commanding Officer of the battleship Idaho (BB-42) in 1920-1921. Photo #18497v courtesy of the Library of Congress via Bill Gonyo.
BB-42 Idaho320kTraversing the Pedro Miguel Locks in the Panama Canal, circa 1920's.USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
BB-42 Idaho115kInspection on the battleship's forecastle, circa 1920. Note her forward triple 14"/40 gun turrets and "cage" foremast.USNHC # NH 53203, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-42 Idaho151kCrewmen running on deck during physical training, circa 1920. Note wooden planking and working gear on her deck.USNHC # NH 53204, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-42 Idaho110kIdaho (BB-42) seen in the Panama Canal, 1920's Stern view.USNI / USN photo.
BB-42 Idaho58kYou are cordially invited to view as the uninitiated crew members (Pollywogs) pass over the equator for the first time, the Shellbacks (those who in the past had undergone the exquisite pleasure of meeting King Neptune's Court) met to decide what to do with the newcomers of Idaho's (BB-42) contingent in 24 Jan. 1921.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho128kIdaho (BB-42) fires her 14/50" guns at a target which the battleship Texas (BB-35) is towing 10 miles away, 16 April 1921.Courtesy of Charles Moore.
BB-42 Idaho43kDependents visiting the Idaho (BB-42), early 1920's.
USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri.
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-42 Idaho 219k The time on the Idaho's (BB-42) gunnery clock is circa 1924, viewed from the main deck looking aft near the 2nd main turret. Photograph courtesy of Tony Bellomo.
BB-42 Idaho 155k Looking out from the bridge over the Idaho's (BB-42) helm, 1924 in a Pacific port. Photograph courtesy of Tony Bellomo.
Southern Cruise89kIn the summer of 1925, the California (BB-44) led the Battle Fleet and a division of cruisers from the Scouting Fleet on a very successful good-will cruise to Australia and New Zealand. The following vessels might be the Colorado (BB-45), Maryland (BB-46) and West Virginia (BB-48) followed by Tennessee (BB-43) and three older battleships, the New Mexico (BB-40), Mississippi (BB-41) & Idaho (BB-42) . Photograph probably taken from the California.U.S. Navy photograph courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
Southern Cruise90kView from the deck of a one of the battleships looking aft of the Battle Fleet and a division of cruisers from the Scouting Fleet cruise to Australia and New Zealand. U.S. Navy photograph courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
Sam Hood 37k Night time stern view of the Tennessee (BB-43), Mississippi (BB-41), California (BB-44) and or Idaho (BB-42) in Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia, 1925. This photo is part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Samuel J. Hood Studio Collection in Flicker.
Sam Hood (1870-1956) was a Sydney photographer with a passion for ships. His 72-year career spanned the romantic age of sail and two world wars. The photos in the collection were taken mainly in Sydney and Newcastle during the first half of the 20th century.
Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels.
BB-42 Idaho727kIdaho(BB-42) departs Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, as a Douglas DT-2 torpedo plane from NAS Pearl Harbor bids "aloha" to passengers Cmdr. John Rogers and his crew, 17 Sept. 1925. Cmdr. Rogers and his crew attempted to fly from San Francisco to Honolulu but ran out of fuel and landed at sea. Lost at sea for 10 days, they rigged a sail on their PN-9 seaplane and covered 450 miles before their rescue.Photo USNHC # NH 53201, now in the collections of the National Archives via Bill Gonyo.
BB-42 Idaho40kIdaho(BB-42) starboard view, underway. 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho143kWardroom of the Idaho (BB-42), 1925-26. Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho136kLaundry room of the Idaho (BB-42), 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho133kSickbay of the Idaho (BB-42), 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho164kCPO (Chief Petty Officers) Quarters of the Idaho (BB-42), 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho83kGallery, 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho94kCarpenter shop, 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho99kAs the uninitiated crew-members (Pollywogs) pass over the equator for the first time, the Shellbacks (those who in the past had undergone the exquisite pleasure of meeting King Neptune's Court) met to decide what to do with the newcomers of Idaho's (BB-42) contingent in 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho115kThe operating room of the Idaho (BB-42) : This is where Doc either kills you or wonders why he didn't in 1925-26.Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho96kBake shop, Idaho (BB-42), 1925-26. Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho75kPrinting Office, Idaho (BB-42), 1925-26. Courtesy of Jon Burdett.
BB-42 Idaho168kIdaho (BB-42) in dry dock, at Puget Sound Navy Yard, March 1926.Photo contributed by Robert Hurst. Photo taken from U.S. Warships of World War One, by P.H. Silverstone.
BB-42 Idaho340kStarboard side underway, Two aircraft on catapults. 4 June 1927.
Note the anchor on the ship's stern.		US National Archives # 19-N-11008, courtesy of David Buell.
BB-42 Idaho90k Crane ship Kearsarge working alongside, as the battleship is regunned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, circa the later 1920s. Barge YC-279 is in the left background. USNHC # 43459, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-42 Idaho137k Idaho(BB-42) being regunned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, circa the later 1920s. This view shows the crane ship Kearsarge lowering a 14"/50 gun into Idaho's second turret. USNHC # 43457, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-42 Idaho93k 14"/50 gun is lowered in to her second turret, during regunning at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, circa the later 1920s.The work is being performed by the crane ship Kearsarge. USNHC # 43458, now in the collections of the National Archives.
BB-42 Idaho86kIdaho(BB-42), seen in Seattle harbor, circa late 1920's. Photo courtesy of Joseph Macdonald.
BB-42 Idaho168kPort side view of the Idaho (BB-42), off the California coast, circa late 1920's. Courtesy of Manuel Tafoya Sr.
Battlefleet122Watercolor 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. Battle-fleet from above, possibly from the airship Los Angeles (ZR-3). Photo courtesy of periscopefilm.com.
BB-40 New Mexico class 323k Mississippi (BB-41) or Idaho (BB-42) sometime before modernization in 1930. In the background is a Tennessee (BB-43/44) or Colorado class (BB-45/48) battleship.
These 2 photos are appear to be 2 sequential photos of the same ship taken from a passing ship. The only distinguishing feature I've been able to discern between the three ships of this class while sporting the cage masts is the size and location of the Navigation bridge. The New Mexico's(BB-40) bridge is attached to the fore mast completely above the roof of the conning tower while on the other two it sits behind the conning tower and "peeks" over the top; so eliminate the New Mexico.
Distinguishing between the Mississippi and the Idaho is not a clear cut. It appears that on the Mississippi the bridge is a free standing structure that abuts the conning tower but is not attached to the mast (???). On the Idaho the bridge also abuts the conning tower but seems deeper and appears extends back to and partially around the front of the mast. 		US Navy Photograph courtesy of Ric Hedman. Photo i.d. contributed by Chris Hoehn.
BB-40 New Mexico class 400k Mississippi (BB-41) or Idaho (BB-42) sometime before modernization in 1930. In the background is a Tennessee (BB-43/44) or Colorado class (BB-45/48) battleship.
These 2 photos are appear to be 2 sequential photos of the same ship taken from a passing ship. The only distinguishing feature I've been able to discern between the three ships of this class while sporting the cage masts is the size and location of the Navigation bridge. The New Mexico's(BB-40) bridge is attached to the fore mast completely above the roof of the conning tower while on the other two it sits behind the conning tower and "peeks" over the top; so eliminate the New Mexico.
Distinguishing between the Mississippi and the Idaho is not a clear cut. It appears that on the Mississippi the bridge is a free standing structure that abuts the conning tower but is not attached to the mast (???). On the Idaho the bridge also abuts the conning tower but seems deeper and appears extends back to and partially around the front of the mast. 		US Navy Photograph courtesy of Ric Hedman. Photo i.d. contributed by Chris Hoehn.
USS IDAHO BB-42 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. David Graham
Address: PO Box 711247, San Diego, CA, 92171-1247
Phone: None Listed
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.
ussidaho.com By David Roye
Back To The Main Photo IndexBack To The Battleship Photo Index Page

This page is created and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages Copyright & copy 1996-2012 Paul R. Yarnall © 1996-2012 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.