U.S. Battleship Kearsarge - (BB 5)

Act of 2 March 1895:

"... The President is hereby authorized to have constructed by contract two seagoing coast-line battle ships designed to carry the heaviest armor and most powerful ordnance upon a displacement of about ten thousand tons, to have the highest practicable speed for vessels of their class, and to cost, exclusive of armament, not exceeding four million dollars each ; ... One seagoing battle ship ... shall be built on or near the coast of the Pacific Ocean, ... Premiums, ... are not to be offered, In all their parts said vessels shall be of domestic manufacture: Provided, ... that [If] the said ... battle ships can not be constructed at a fair cost at the places fixed ... he may authorize the construction of ...the battleship ... elsewhere in the United States, ...One of said battle ships shall be named Kearsarge... ."

BB 5 KEARSARGE

BB 5-6

Armament:

Main:

• (4) 13"/35
• (4) 8"/35
• (14) 5"/40

• (20) 6 pdr.
• (4) .30 cal.
• Torpedo Tubes: (4) 18" surface

Armor: Max. Thickness: 17"

• Type: Vert. 3-Exp. Recip.
• Boilers: Manufacturer: NN;
• Type: FT;
• No.: 5
• Fuel (coal) : Tons : 1591

The US Battleship Kearsarge was commissioned in 1900, reclassified in 1920, then stricken and decommissioned in 1956. There is an additional note "to AB 1" but no explanation.

From the collection of Charles Jacobus