Some 103 years ago today: The future USS Colorado (Battleship No. 45) stern view, previous to launching by New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J., 21 March 1921.
Library of Congress Photo 19-LC-19G-18
Each of the four propeller shafts seen above was powered by a 5,424 kilowatt electric motor, fed by two Westinghouse two-phase turbo generators rated at 5,000 volts. Eight oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers, each in its individual compartment, provided steam for the generators. Altogether, the ship’s power plant was rated at 28,900 electrical horsepower to provide a flank speed of 21 knots. The suite was so modern that, if needed, a single man could run her entire propulsion system from a central control room while underway.
The third USS Colorado was launched the day after the above photo was quietly taken, on 22 March 1921, sponsored by Mrs. M. Melville; and commissioned on 30 August 1923, Captain (later Rear Admiral) Reginald Rowan Belknap (USNA 1891), in command. Belknap, a veteran of the SpanAm War and the Boxer Rebellion, would be the first of Colorado’s 20 skippers stretching throughout the ship’s 24-year career.
Narrowly avoiding Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 as she was in overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Colorado went on to receive seven battle stars for her World War II service starting with the preinvasion bombardment and fire support for the invasion of Tarawa in November 1943.
Colorado off Tarawa 1943