Intended to be the first truly seagoing US battleships. The 12 inch and four 8 inch guns in unusual single-piece superimposed turrets.
B-16/BB 16 New Jersey
Built by Fore River, laid down 2 April 1902,
launched 10 Nov 1904, commissioned 12 May 1906. Out of commission 2 May 1910 to
15 July 1911 for refit, used for training during WWI, decommissioned 6 Aug 1920,
stricken 12 July 1922, to the Army as a target, sunk as bombing target 5 Sept
1922.
Battleships of the Virginia class:
B-13/BB 13 Virginia
B-14/BB 14 Nebraska (ex Pennsylvania)
B-15/BB 15 Georgia
B-16/BB 16 New Jersey
B-17/BB 17 Rhode Island
Prior to 17 July 1920 US battleships were designated "Battleship X", abbreviated "B-X" in this list. On 17 July 1920 the designations were changed to "BB X". All battleships were numbered in this single series.
The Virginias, along with most predreadnoughts completed by 1906, participated in the round-the-world cruise of the Great White Fleet.
All predreadnoughts were modernized 1909-1911 with new cage masts, reduced superstructure, enlarged conning towers, new fire controls and modified secondary batteries.