U.S. Battleship Virginia (BB 13)

Edward H. Mitchell No. 1276

VIRGINIA CLASS - Virginia (BB 13), Nebraska (BB14), Georgia (BB 15), New Jersey (BB 16), Rhode Island (BB 17)

Act of 3 March 1899: ".... The President is hereby authorized to have constructed by contract three seagoing coast line battle ships, carrying the heaviest armor and most powerful ordnance for vessels of their class upon a trial displacement of about thirteen thousand five hundred tons, to be sheathed and coppered, and to have the highest practicable speed and great radius of action, and to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, not exceeding three million six hundred thousand dollars each..."

The ships built under this act were U.S. Battleship Virginia, U.S. Battleship Nebraska (ex Pennsylvania), and the U.S. Battleship Georgia.

Built at Newport News SB Co., Newport News, Va.
Keel laid 5/21/02, Commissioned 5/7/06
Capt. S. Schroeder commanding
Designed Complement: Officers: 40; Enlisted: 772

SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall: 441'3 "
Extreme Beam: 76'3"
Normal Displacement: Tons: 14,948; Mean Draft: 23'9"

Designed Complement: Off.: 40; Enl.: 772

ARMAMENT

Main

4) 12"/40
(8) 8"/45
(12) 6"/50

Secondary

(12) 3"/50
(12) 3 pdr.
(8) .30 cal.

Torpedo Tubes: (4) 21" submerged

Armor: Max. Thickness: 12"

Designed Speed: 19
Designed Indicated Horsepower: 19,000
Engines: Manufacturer: not stated
Type: Vert. 3-Exp. Recip.
Boilers: Manufacturer: Niclausse
Fuel (coal): Tons: not stated

The US Battleship Virginia was decommisioned in 1920.

This postcard is from the Morris Collection and was postmarked from Livermore, California June 14, 1908, to Vancouver, BC. For more information, contact Cheryl Morris.