U.S. Battleship Illinois - (BB 7)

Image from Charles Jacobus collection

Act of 10 June 1896:

"... . The President is hereby authorized to have constructed by contract three seagoing coast-line battle ships designed to carry the heaviest armor and most powerful ordnance upon a displacement of about eleven thousand tons, to have the highest practicable speed for vessels of their class, and to cost, exclusive of armament, not exceeding three million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars each; ... Not more than two of said battle ships ... shall be built in one yard or by one contracting party, ... Premiums ... are not to be offered, In all their parts said vessels shall be of domestic manufacture; ... Not more than one seagoing battle ship shall be built on or near the coast of the Pacific Ocean... "

BB 7 ILLINOIS

Built at Newport News SB Co., Newport News, Va.
Keel laid 2/10/97, Commissioned 9/16/01
Capt. G. A. Converse commanding

Length Overall: 375'4" (BB 7);
Extreme Beam: 72'3 "
Normal Displacement: Tons: 11,565

Mean Draft: 23'6" (BB 7-8);

Designed Complement:

Officers.: 40
Enlisted Men.: 496

Designed Speed: 16
Designed Indicated Horsepower: 10,000

Engines: Manufacturer: NN (BB 7);

Type: Vert. 3 Exp. Recip.
Boilers: Manufacturer: NN (BB 7);
Type: FT; No.: 8
Fuel (coal): Tons: 1400 (BB 7)

Armament:

Main :

(4) 13"/35
(14) 6"/40

Secondary:

(16) 6 pdr.
(6) 1 pdr.
(4) .30 cal.

Torpedo Tubes: (4) 18" surface

Armor: Max. Thickness: 16.5"

The Illinois was commissioned in 1900, reclassified in 1921, stricken and decommissioned in 1956. There is a note "to IX 15" but no further explanation.

Cheryl Morris