US Navy: USS Mississippi (BB-23)

USS Mississippi (BB-23) - Overview:

Nation: United States
Type: Battleship
Shipyard: William Cramp & Sons
Laid Down: May 12, 1904
Launched: September 30, 1905
Commissioned: February 1, 1908
Fate: Sold to Greece, 1914

USS Mississippi (BB-23) - Specifications

Displacement: 13,000 tons
Length: 382 ft.
Beam: 77 ft.
Draft: 24.7 ft.
Speed: 17 knots
Complement: 744 men

Armament

4 × 12 in./45 cal. Mark 5 guns

8 × 8 in./45 cal guns
8 × 7 in./45 cal. guns
12 × 3 in./50 cal. guns
6 × 3 pounders
2 × 1 pounders
6 × .30 in. machine guns
2 × 21 in. torpedo tubes

USS Mississippi (BB-23) - Design & Construction:

In 1903, with the first vessels of the Connecticut-class (USS Connecticut, USS Louisiana, USS Vermont, USS Kansas, USS Minnesota, and USS New Hampshire) under construction, the US Navy began work on a new battleship design. As the size and cost of capital ships had steadily increased since the Indiana-class, Congress directed the US Navy to develop a design that halted or reduced this growth. Moving forward, naval architects debated three options: creating a completely new design, downsizing the Connecticut-class, or scaling up the earlier Maine-class. Electing to largely move forward with the second option, discussions commenced regarding the new class' armament. While the main battery consisted of four 12" guns in two twin turrets, similar to earlier classes, debate ensued regarding the battleship's secondary armament.

Designers ultimately settled on eight 8" guns in four twin turrets as well as eight 7" guns, twelve 3" guns, and two 21" torpedo tubes. Powered by triple expansion steam engines, the new design was rated at 17 knots and employed mix of Harvey and Krupp armor for protection.

Ordered in March 1903, William Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia won contract for the lead ship of the class, USS Mississippi. Laid down on May 12, 1904, construction of the hull progressed over the next year. Entering the water on September 30, 1905, Mississippi was sponsored by Mabel C. Money, daughter of Mississippi Senator Hernando Money. In December 1906, as work on the new battleship continued, Admiral Sir John Fisher of the Royal Navy introduced the "all-big gun" HMS Dreadnought. This revolutionary new design instantly rendered Mississippi and its predecessors obsolete. Despite this shift, the workers completed the battleship and it entered commission on February 1, 1908, with Captain J.C. Fremont in command.

USS Mississippi (BB-23) - Early Service:

Steaming south, Mississippi conducted its shakedown cruise off Cuba before returning to Philadelphia for alterations. On July 1, the new battleship began a second shakedown voyage that saw it visit several ports in New England and New York. Arriving back at Philadelphia in September, Mississippi took part in the city's Founders Week festivities before entering the yard for additional work. Returning to sea in January 1909, the battleship visited Havana and Guantanamo Bay before steaming north to Hampton Roads where it aided in welcoming the Great White Fleet back from its around-the-world cruise. Returning to Cuba, Mississippi remained in those waters until May when it commenced a cruise up the Mississippi River. Showcasing the US Navy's latest technology, the battleship stayed in the river until late that month when it departed to begin operations in the Atlantic.

Taking part in the Hudson-Fulton Celebration that October, Mississippi sailed south in January for winter maneuvers at Guantanamo Bay. Returning north in the spring, the battleship conducted routine exercises with the Atlantic Fleet. Briefly entering the yard at Philadelphia in October, Mississippi sailed for Europe the following month with Battleship Division Three. While abroad, it made port calls at Gravesend, England and Brest, France. Recrossing the Atlantic in January 1911, Mississippi conducted battle exercises en route to Guantanamo Bay. After additional training in southern waters, it moved north in the spring and resumed peacetime activities along the East Coast. Drydocked late that summer, Mississippi took part in a fleet review at New York by President William H. Taft and Secretary of the Navy George Von Lengerke in October and November.

USS Mississippi (BB-23) - Later Service:

In May 1912, Mississippi moved to Tompkinsville, NY to embark an expeditionary force of Marines from the Second Marine Regiment. Steaming south, it landed them at El Cuero, Cuba to protect American interests during a period of unrest on the island. Rejoining the Atlantic Fleet, Mississippi commenced summer maneuvers off New England. Outclassed by newer designs, the battleship received orders on August 1 to enter the fleet reserve at Philadelphia. Idle until the end of 1913, Mississippi resumed active duty on December 30 when it was instructed to embark men and equipment to establish a naval aviation base at Pensacola, FL. Arriving on January 20 1914, the battleship helped oversee the construction of the new facility.

As tensions with Mexico had been steadily increasing through the spring, American forces occupied Veracruz on April 21. That same day, Mississippi, with an aviation section embarked, departed Pensacola to support the effort. Arriving at Veracruz with its aircraft, the battleship marked the first combat deployment of US naval aviators. Remaining in the area for the next month, Mississippi's seaplanes made nine reconnaissance flights over the area during an eighteen-day span. After briefly returning to Pensacola, the battleship departed for Hampton Roads arriving on July 3. Transferring its aviation gear, Mississippi prepared to leave American service.

USS Mississippi (BB-23) - Greek Service:

In the wake of the Second Balkan War, Greece sought improve its naval strength through purchasing foreign warships. Dubbed unsatisfactory for further use by the US Navy, Mississippi and its sister ship, USS Idaho (BB-24), were sold to Fred J. Gauntlett who oversaw their transfer to the Royal Hellenic Navy on July 10. Decommissioned on July 21, the battleship was re-commissioned in Greek service the same day under the name Kilkis. In this guise, the battleship remained in active until being sunk by German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers in April 1941 during World War II.

Selected Sources