USS Nebraska (BB-14)

The first "Nebraska" (BB-14), ex-"Pennsylvania", was laid down by Moran Brothers, Seattle, Washington, 4 July 1902; launched 7 October 1904; sponsored by Miss Mary N. Mickey, daughter of Governor John H. Mickey of Nebraska; and commissioned 1 July 1907, Captain Reginald F. Nicholson in command.

After shakedown and alterations, the new battleship joined the "Great White Fleet" at San Francisco after 6 May 1908, replacing USS|Alabama|BB-8|6.

Departing San Francisco 7 July 1908, the Fleet visited Honolulu, Hawaii; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; Manila, Philippine Islands; Yokohama, Japan; and Colombo, Ceylon, arriving Suez, Egypt, 3 January 1909. Departing Messina, Italy, on the 9th, the Fleet visited Naples, Italy, then Gibraltar, arriving Hampton Roads on 22 February where President Theodore Roosevelt reviewed the fleet as it passed into the roadstead.

"Nebraska" continued duty with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She attended the Hudson-Fulton Celebration in 1910 and the Louisiana Centennial during 1912. She earned the Mexican Service Medal for operations at Veracruz, Mexico, from 1 May to 21 June 1914 and 1 June to 13 October 1916. After a period of reduced commissioned service, she was again placed in full commission 3 April 1917.

When war was declared 6 April 1917, "Nebraska" was undergoing repairs at the Boston Navy Yard, attached to the 3rd Division, Battleship Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. On 13 April 1917 she departed Boston to engage in maneuvers and battle practice with the fleet in the Chesapeake Bay area. She operated along the east coast, primarily training armed guard crews for American merchantmen, until entering the Norfolk Navy Yard 15 April 1918 for repairs.

At Hampton Roads 16 May 1917, she received on board the body of the late Carlos M. DePena, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from Uruguay, with full honors, departing Hampton Roads the same day and arriving Montevideo 10 June in company with USS|Pittsburgh|ACR-4|2, flagship of the Pacific Fleet. The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, came on board for the ceremonies and the body of the late Uruguyan Minister to the United States was transferred with full honors. "Nebraska" departed Montevideo 15 June for home, arriving Hampton Roads 26 July.

The battleship departed New York 17 September 1917 as principal escort for a fast merchant convoy of 18 ships to an eastern Atlantic rendezvous, returning to Hampton Roads 3 October. "Nebraska" made two more convoy voyages in the Atlantic, returning from the latter 2 December to prepare for service in returning American troops from France.

"Nebraska" made four voyages from the United States to Brest, France, transporting 4,540 troops to and from the United States. On the first trip, she departed Hampton Roads 30 December 1918, arrived Brest 11 January 1919, and returned Newport News 28 January. The final voyage to return veterans from France ended when she arrived Newport News, Virginia, 21 June with 1,279 troops.

On 22 June 1919 "Nebraska" was detached from the transport service and shortly thereafter sailed to join Division 2, Squadron 1, U.S. Pacific Fleet, for operations along the west coast under command of Captain P. N. Olmstead until she decommissioned 2 July 1920.

In accordance with the Washington Naval Treaty limiting naval armament, "Nebraska" was rendered incapable of further warlike service 9 November 1923 and sold for scrap a few weeks later.

References

Alden, John D. "American Steel Navy: A Photographic History of the U.S. Navy from the Introduction of the Steel Hull in 1883 to the Cruise of the Great White Fleet." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN 0870212486

Friedman, Norman. "U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. ISBN 0870217151

Reilly, John C. and Robert L. Scheina. "American Battleships 1996-1923: Predreadnought Design and Construction." Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1980. ISBN 0870215248

External links

* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/uss_nebraska_bb14.htm Maritimequest USS Nebraska BB-14 Photo Gallery]