COMPARISON OF SISTER SHIP USS WASHINGTON B-56
The North Carolina Battleship B-55 can be compared to her sister ship Washington B-56. By 1937, the restrictions on battleship construction set forth by the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 had become void. “The new class of battleships was christened “North Carolina” and “Washington” in honor of the American states and the two vessels were built” (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). The lead ship to become the USS North Carolina B-55 followed by her sister the USS Washington BB-56.
“Washington was ordered on August 1, 1937 and laid down on June 14, 1938 by the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. On June 1, 1940, USS Washington was launched and then commissioned on May 15, 1941 with Captain Howard H.J Benson” (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). “The USS Washington made her true legacy in the Pacific Theater against the forces of the Empire of Japan (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). She worked along the side of the USS North Carolina and other fast battleships to protect major carriers and aircraft during World War II. She was credited with sinking more enemy tonnage than any other United States Navy battleship during World War II (USS Washington, Military Factory). According to Dan Alex, “through all of her combat actions, the USS Washington never lost one of her sailors to enemy action nor did she ever suffer a direct hit from enemy surface guns” (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). Amazingly, the USS Washington was never directly hit from enemy guns.
This evidence differs from the USS North Carolina because overall North Carolina lost 10 total crew members in enemy action and was hit by torpedoes by the Japanese in battle. Both ships fought in World War II and fought against enemies of Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack. The USS Washington earned 13 total battle stars, two less than the USS North Carolina. Both ships fought in battles together such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and during the Guadalcanal and Tulagi Landings.
The USS Washington was sold for scrap on May 24, 1961 (Post War, Military Factory). This unending fate for another US Navy Battleship whereas the USS North Carolina B-55 remains today in Wilmington, North Carolina preserved as a historical monument for people to gather and learn about the ship and World War II.
Photo from: WWII USS Washington Battleship (B-56) Retrieved from http://www.armedforcesmuseum.com/wwii-uss-washington-battleship-bb-56/
“Washington was ordered on August 1, 1937 and laid down on June 14, 1938 by the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. On June 1, 1940, USS Washington was launched and then commissioned on May 15, 1941 with Captain Howard H.J Benson” (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). “The USS Washington made her true legacy in the Pacific Theater against the forces of the Empire of Japan (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). She worked along the side of the USS North Carolina and other fast battleships to protect major carriers and aircraft during World War II. She was credited with sinking more enemy tonnage than any other United States Navy battleship during World War II (USS Washington, Military Factory). According to Dan Alex, “through all of her combat actions, the USS Washington never lost one of her sailors to enemy action nor did she ever suffer a direct hit from enemy surface guns” (USS Washington Origins, Military Factory). Amazingly, the USS Washington was never directly hit from enemy guns.
This evidence differs from the USS North Carolina because overall North Carolina lost 10 total crew members in enemy action and was hit by torpedoes by the Japanese in battle. Both ships fought in World War II and fought against enemies of Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack. The USS Washington earned 13 total battle stars, two less than the USS North Carolina. Both ships fought in battles together such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and during the Guadalcanal and Tulagi Landings.
The USS Washington was sold for scrap on May 24, 1961 (Post War, Military Factory). This unending fate for another US Navy Battleship whereas the USS North Carolina B-55 remains today in Wilmington, North Carolina preserved as a historical monument for people to gather and learn about the ship and World War II.
Photo from: WWII USS Washington Battleship (B-56) Retrieved from http://www.armedforcesmuseum.com/wwii-uss-washington-battleship-bb-56/