In the development of American navy An important role is assigned to such a class of ships as battleships. They were the ones who bore the brunt of the naval battles of World War II. Today we will talk about one of the most famous American battleships, namely the battleship Missouri.
Battleship concept
The battleship was originally conceived as the main ship for naval service and combat operations. These were large ships, equipped with the largest caliber at that time, had high combat characteristics, reinforced armor and powerful engines. The American battleships of the Iowa family are considered the most advanced type of ships of this class.
It was these ships that managed to achieve maximum harmony between such indicators as speed, armor and weapons. They were a point in the development of the class and were its last representatives. 6 ships were planned, but only 4 were built - Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Iowa. 2 more ships - "Illinois" and "Kentucky" - were never completed. This initiative by the leadership of the US Navy is explained by the fact that Japan has launched the Yamato family of heavy battleships. The Iowa class ships were supposed to resist them.
US Navy warship Missouri (BB 63) - difficult path, history, fate
When you remember the class of battleships, several ships of this class come to mind that had historical meaning. Among them will definitely be the American battleship Missouri. The ship's drawings make it possible to see that it was a smooth-deck battleship with three gun turrets and a highly developed central superstructure. But it is not only military exploits that make this ship so important, because it influenced not only the course of world history, but also the development of shipbuilding. The famous ship took 4 years to build, from 1940 to 1944. Approximately 10,000 people worked on its construction. When launched, the ship was given the name "Missouri" and the number BB 63. The crew itself subsequently gave it the nickname "Big Mo". At that time, it was the largest ship in service with the US Navy. In addition, she is the largest warship in the US Navy to this day, her record has never been broken.
Battleship "Missouri" - characteristics
- Displacement (actually the weight of the ship) is 48,300 tons.
- The length of the hull is 270.5 meters.
- Width - 33 meters.
- The draft in the water is 11 meters.
- The maximum speed of the ship is 33 knots (61 km/h).
- Power plant - T3A (4 pieces) with a capacity of 200,000 hp. With..
- Crew - 1851 sailors and officers (depending on the tasks assigned to the ship, this number could change).
Battleship armament
- 406 mm caliber guns - 9.
- 127 mm caliber guns - 18.
- Anti-aircraft installations of 20-25 mm caliber - more than 100.
- Anti-ship systems of the "Harpoon" type - 16.
- Tomahawk class missiles - 32.
- Anti-aircraft installations "Phalanx" caliber 20 mm - 4.
- Anti-aircraft missile systems "Stinger" - 5.
The ship's armament was quite consistent with such impressive dimensions: the main caliber of the battleship Missouri was powerful 406-mm cannons, of which there were three in each gun turret. There were also three such towers in total. In addition to these guns, the ship also had 127 mm cannons to maintain constant fire, there were 18 of them in total.
Another feature of the Missouri design is almost absolute protection from all kinds of air raids. More than a hundred 20 and 25 mm automatic anti-aircraft guns excellently repelled the attacks of Japanese kamikazes. And all vital compartments - gun magazines, engine room, sides - were reliably protected by armor, the maximum thickness of which was 15 cm. For example, during the battles for the island of Iwo Jima, suicide bombers attacked the ship several times. The battleship Missouri did not receive any serious damage as a result of these attacks.
Participation in World War II
The ship managed to take part in the final stage of World War II. With his support, many landing operations or battles were carried out - Ulithi Strait, Okinawa, Iwo Jima. His powerful guns effectively suppressed Japanese fortified points, thereby covering the advancing infantry. When fired, the ship rocked violently, and the rockets sucked all the air out of the gun turrets when fired. The sounds of the shot were such that many sailors (despite the fact that they had undergone special training) had to be hospitalized, as they were very ill.
The ship also went down in history due to the fact that the unconditional surrender of Japan was signed on board, and thus ended the Second World War. World War. This happened on September 2, 1945.
Post-war life of the battleship
After the end of the fighting with Japan, the Missouri remained in service for some time. So, in 1947, President Truman made a diplomatic voyage on it, during which the battleship crossed the equator and eventually landed on the shores of the United States. Subsequently, the president spoke very warmly about his time spent with the team. It should also be emphasized that the sailors who served on the Iowa class ships were always treated with great respect. Perhaps the reason is that hard work in tropical heat required maximum effort from everyone.
After this, the glorious ship was transferred to reserve. Here he suffered his first failure - in January 1950, exercises were conducted in the Chesapeake Bay. Here the Missouri, while performing maneuvers, ran aground. The damage was serious - three fuel tanks were pierced by stones. Since the ship was filled with all kinds of ammunition and other cargo (approximately 11.7 thousand tons), urgent work was carried out to unload it. The first attempts to refloat were unsuccessful, but already in February the ship moored at a Norfolk dock, where it was repaired for 5 whole days.
Participation in armed conflicts of the late 20th century
At the outbreak of the Korean War, the Missouri went on a combat patrol into South Korean waters. This is the only ship that went through all three years of hostilities (1950 - 1953) without leaving the post. For this he was noted by the Korean President. In 1955, the ship was put into reserve again.
After this, the battleship, according to the program of the Ministry of Defense, was mothballed and stood in the docks for about 40 years. However, by 1980, the government had a need for powerful and fast ships (then the Cold War reached its climax). In this regard, the Iowa-class battleships, including the Missouri, were reactivated and thoroughly re-equipped and modernized. The main caliber, of course, was not touched, but only current strategic weapons were added - Tomahawk cruise missiles, special anti-ship missiles, automated anti-aircraft guns. It is worth noting that all the battleships are perfectly preserved, despite 40 years of inactivity. Subsequently, the battle group, and the battleship Missouri in particular, served in many conflicts - supporting infantry and striking Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War, localizing fighting during the Falklands conflict.
The end of combat service - the last operation
It is with the Missouri that the battleship's last combat exit to sea is associated. This happened in 1991 during the fighting in the Persian Gulf region. His guns started talking last time, when he assisted coalition troops in Operation Desert Storm.
So, January 17, 1991. At 1:40, two Tomahawk missiles are launched from the Missouri. What is noteworthy is that this is the first experience of firing missiles from a ship of this size, and at a long range - the targets were located in Iraq and Kuwait at a distance of approximately 1,400 km. At the same time, the old but still effective main guns opened fire on the port of Hanji in the territory Saudi Arabia. Volleys were fired every 15 seconds. Since all the actions of the battleship - moving and shooting - were coordinated by UAVs from the air, the Missouri did not receive a single damage. Enemy positions were covered by a sea of fire, because the power of 406 mm guns, combined with modern systems the targeting was truly destructive. These salvoes became a farewell salute and the end of the century of battleships, which bore the brunt of many battles and combat duties, proving that the battleship is an effective and formidable weapon.
But the age of aircraft carriers was approaching, so the battleship Missouri was ending her service. In 1992, it was removed from the active fleet. Before her “retirement,” the battleship made a memorable journey to the shores of Japan, to the place where World War II ended. After that, he headed to his native shores. At the port of Long Beach, all weapons and important equipment were removed from him. Now it is permanently moored in the port of Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands and is a museum ship. She is interesting not only because of her fame, but also because she is the only ship of the battleship class remaining in working order. It is also interesting for modelers who, thanks to modern technologies, can build a model of the USS Missouri at home and add it to their warship collection.
Results
As we see, the battleships, including the Missouri, were formidable and effective weapon, which saved soldiers more than once during various conflicts in the mid and late 20th century. However, after World War II they became obsolete and were more of a beautiful toy in the hands of the US government than fulfilling their main function.
Battleships. Over the past 300 years, battleships have clashed in battle more than once, raining down a barrage of fire on each other. By the beginning of the Second World War, these powerful ships already reigned supreme at sea.
Their giant guns could fire deadly projectiles as heavy as a car, hitting targets up to 30 km away. A century later, they were among the fastest and most powerful warships sailing in the world's oceans. The formidable combination of firepower, armor and speed became the basis for the development of battleships.
Battleship « Missouri" - his name stands out from the list of warships. For fifty years, this ship was a symbol of US naval power. " Missouri"resembles a huge fortress with huge guns. It seemed that such a ship could not be destroyed or sunk. Its guns could destroy any enemy.
Last time the main caliber " Missouri" said his word in Persian Gulf in 1991, when it supplemented the coalition's combat arsenal during the Kuwait Operation Desert Storm. Two USS Iowa-class ships then joined the operational force.
January 17, 1991 at 01:40 from board " Missouri"two missiles were launched" Tomahawk", which have never been launched from a warship of this class at targets located at a distance of 1,400 km in Iraq and Kuwait. Initially, the fifty-year-old sixteen-inch guns fired furiously. The target was the port of Hanji in Saudi Arabia. When powerful guns began firing every 15 seconds at Iraqi fortifications, the US Army breathed a sigh of relief - it was a formidable weapon. In two hours " Missouri"Fired 135 series of shots. No enemy fire could reach anyone. Accurate fire control was achieved using unmanned aircraft, which were launched from ships using a catapult. They made adjustments to large-caliber fire, then returned, falling into the net. They were re-equipped and launched again.
Their computer system was controlled by a pilot from a control room. The resulting image from the aircraft's video camera was displayed on the internal television system, where the coordinates of the objects were shown. Thanks to new system The slightly outdated guns turned out to be merciless when they hit the target. The combination of new technologies has proven its effectiveness. His salvoes in the Persian Gulf became a farewell salute to those times when battleships reigned supreme on the seas and oceans. But the battleship USS Missouri was born at a different time.
Battleship « Missouri"was built at the shipyard" New York Naval Shipyard"January 29, 1944. Its keel was laid on January 6, 1941. About 10,000 people took part in the construction of the powerful ship. Considering the threat of enemy aircraft" Missouri" was designed with special emphasis on protecting its turret guns, ammunition stores and aerial bombs. The thickest armor was 15 cm thick, and two huge belts along the sides of the battleship were angled into the ship, providing protection equal to 34 cm of steel. The sheathing sheets that locked together weighed up to 50 tons each. Since all battleships of the "class" Iowa" were recommissioned at the end of the war after being in reserve, each of them was equipped with the most the latest technology, including ground and air search radars that could detect enemy aircraft at a distance of 160 km.
Each gun turret Missouri"had three sixteen-inch guns, which were the most powerful guns ever mounted on a US Navy warship. Armor-piercing shells with improved capabilities had the ability to penetrate ten-meter concrete fortifications. « Missouri"had the most powerful air defense of all the ships that participated in the Second World War. Its auxiliary artillery included 25 mm cannons making up 10 pairs and 100 units of 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. Also " Missouri"can be considered one of the fastest warships in the world, as its maximum speed reached 35 knots.
The video clearly shows how the battleship Missouri fired the first salvos from its powerful guns before the first Operation Desert Storm. Video taken from the USS Princeton
Four months after the Battle of Ulithi Strait in the final months of the Second World War, the famous " Missouri» The US Navy was once again given the floor. This time the task was to provide artillery preparation to our forces during the assault Japanese island Iwo Jima. His powerful attacks on Japanese fortifications created support for the Marines. The simultaneous shots from six sixteen-inch guns rocked the ship, and the air was sucked out of the crew’s lungs, as a salvo of rockets created a vacuum in the confined space of the premises.
Another inaccessible island was Okinawa. The US Navy's Iowa-class battleships were to prepare the way for the attack. The landing was accompanied by a massive attack by powerful guns of warships, among which was “ Missouri».
Battleships were the absolute world weapon, national policy was expressed by the threat of their powerful weapons.
battleship Missouri photo
keel laying
launching at the New York Naval Shipyard
battleship combat service
kamikaze attack on a battleship " Missouri » near Okinawa
barrage of gunfire
in dock for modernization
"Missouri" after modern tions
After the end of World War II, on September 2, 1945, at 09:04, General Douglas McCarthy, the commander in chief of the Allied forces in the Pacific, recognized the unconditional surrender of Japan. The official ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay on board the battleship " USS Missouri» tail number BB-63. So on board the ship that brings death ended Great War world history.
Battleship « Missouri" - a ship with heart and soul. In war and peace, life on board was full of traditions and filled with various competitions. To the sailors of the "class" battleships Iowa"They were treated like a special caste. Possibly due to the hard work, which required high unit coordination necessary to control the guns in the stifling heat Pacific Ocean or because of its symbolic nature. The ship was their home, and their home was a source of pride. On class battleships Iowa" even had its own postal code.
The last of the legendary battleships of the US Navy began to carry out its peaceful symbolic missions. In 1947, to his native shores in South America On board the ship, US President Harry Truman was transported to an international conference in Rio de Janeiro. He and his family enjoyed life aboard the historic " Missouri" The head of state even took part in the dedication ceremony when crossing the equator. Then there were also “diplomatic cruises”, training missions and NATO naval maneuvers in anticipation of the day of retiring into reserve.
March 21, 1992 " Missouri"Headed to his home port. Soon the ship's days were numbered, but she made another symbolic ceremonial voyage. The battleship returned to Pearl Harbor to visit the site where Japan dragged the United States into World War II. For a powerful warship " USS Missouri"The symbol of all the battleships of the Second World War, it was a journey back in time.
In the development of the American navy, an important role is given to such a class of ships as battleships. They were the ones who bore the brunt of the naval battles of World War II. Today we will talk about one of the most famous American battleships, namely the battleship Missouri.
Battleship concept
The battleship was originally conceived as the main ship for naval service and combat operations. These were large ships, equipped with the largest caliber at that time, had high combat characteristics, reinforced armor and powerful engines. The American battleships of the Iowa family are considered the most advanced type of ships of this class.
It was these ships that managed to achieve maximum harmony between such indicators as speed, armor and weapons. They were a point in the development of the class and were its last representatives. 6 ships were planned, but only 4 were built - Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Iowa. 2 more ships - "Illinois" and "Kentucky" - were never completed. This initiative by the leadership of the US Navy is explained by the fact that Japan has launched the Yamato family of heavy battleships. The Iowa class ships were supposed to resist them.
US Navy warship Missouri (BB 63) - difficult path, history, fate
When thinking about the class of battleships, several ships of this class come to mind that were of historical significance. Among them will definitely be the American battleship Missouri. The ship's drawings make it possible to see that it was a smooth-deck battleship with three gun turrets and a highly developed central superstructure. But it is not only military exploits that make this ship so important, because it influenced not only the course of world history, but also the development of shipbuilding. The famous ship took 4 years to build, from 1940 to 1944. Approximately 10,000 people worked on its construction. When launched, the ship was given the name "Missouri" and the number BB 63. The crew itself subsequently gave it the nickname "Big Mo". At that time, it was the largest ship in service with the US Navy. In addition, she is the largest warship in the US Navy to this day, her record has never been broken.
Battleship "Missouri" - characteristics
- Displacement (actually the weight of the ship) is 48,300 tons.
- The length of the hull is 270.5 meters.
- Width - 33 meters.
- The draft in the water is 11 meters.
- The maximum speed of the ship is 33 knots (61 km/h).
- Power plant - T3A (4 pieces) with a capacity of 200,000 hp. With..
- Crew - 1851 sailors and officers (depending on the tasks assigned to the ship, this number could change).
Battleship armament
- 406 mm caliber guns - 9.
- 127 mm caliber guns - 18.
- Anti-aircraft installations of 20-25 mm caliber - more than 100.
- Anti-ship systems of the "Harpoon" type - 16.
- Tomahawk class missiles - 32.
- Anti-aircraft installations "Phalanx" caliber 20 mm - 4.
- Anti-aircraft missile systems "Stinger" - 5.
The ship's armament was quite consistent with such impressive dimensions: the main caliber of the battleship Missouri was powerful 406-mm cannons, of which there were three in each gun turret. There were also three such towers in total. In addition to these guns, the ship also had 127 mm cannons to maintain constant fire, there were 18 of them in total.
Another feature of the Missouri design is almost absolute protection from all kinds of air raids. More than a hundred 20 and 25 mm automatic anti-aircraft guns excellently repelled the attacks of Japanese kamikazes. And all vital compartments - gun magazines, engine room, sides - were reliably protected by armor, the maximum thickness of which was 15 cm. For example, during the battles for the island of Iwo Jima, suicide bombers attacked the ship several times. The battleship Missouri did not receive any serious damage as a result of these attacks.
Participation in World War II
The ship managed to take part in the final stage of World War II. With his support, many landing operations or battles were carried out - Ulithi Strait, Okinawa, Iwo Jima. Its powerful guns effectively suppressed Japanese fortified points, thereby covering the advancing infantry. When fired, the ship rocked violently, and the rockets sucked all the air out of the gun turrets when fired. The sounds of the shot were such that many sailors (despite the fact that they had undergone special training) had to be hospitalized, as they were very ill.
The ship also went down in history due to the fact that the unconditional surrender of Japan was signed on board, and thus ended the Second World War. This happened on September 2, 1945.
Post-war life of the battleship
After the end of the fighting with Japan, the Missouri remained in service for some time. So, in 1947, President Truman made a diplomatic voyage on it, during which the battleship crossed the equator and eventually landed on the shores of the United States. Subsequently, the president spoke very warmly about his time spent with the team. It should also be emphasized that the sailors who served on the Iowa class ships were always treated with great respect. Perhaps the reason is that hard work in tropical heat required maximum effort from everyone.
After this, the glorious ship was transferred to reserve. Here he suffered his first failure - in January 1950, exercises were conducted in the Chesapeake Bay. Here the Missouri, while performing maneuvers, ran aground. The damage was serious - three fuel tanks were pierced by stones. Since the ship was filled with all kinds of ammunition and other cargo (approximately 11.7 thousand tons), urgent work was carried out to unload it. The first attempts to refloat were unsuccessful, but already in February the ship moored at a Norfolk dock, where it was repaired for 5 whole days.
Participation in armed conflicts of the late 20th century
At the outbreak of the Korean War, the Missouri went on a combat patrol into South Korean waters. This is the only ship that went through all three years of hostilities (1950 - 1953) without leaving the post. For this he was noted by the Korean President. In 1955, the ship was put into reserve again.
After this, the battleship, according to the program of the Ministry of Defense, was mothballed and stood in the docks for about 40 years. However, by 1980, the government had a need for powerful and fast ships (then the Cold War reached its climax). In this regard, the Iowa-class battleships, including the Missouri, were reactivated and thoroughly re-equipped and modernized. The main caliber, of course, was not touched, but only current strategic weapons were added - Tomahawk cruise missiles, special anti-ship missiles, automated anti-aircraft guns. It is worth noting that all the battleships are perfectly preserved, despite 40 years of inactivity. Subsequently, the battle group, and the battleship Missouri in particular, served in many conflicts - supporting infantry and striking Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War, localizing hostilities during the Falklands conflict.
The end of combat service - the last operation
It is with the Missouri that the battleship's last combat exit to sea is associated. This happened in 1991 during the fighting in the Persian Gulf region. The last time his guns started talking was when he was assisting coalition forces in Operation Desert Storm.
So, January 17, 1991. At 1:40, two Tomahawk missiles are launched from the Missouri. What is noteworthy is that this is the first experience of firing missiles from a ship of this size, and at a long range - the targets were located in Iraq and Kuwait at a distance of approximately 1,400 km. At the same time, the old but still effective main guns opened fire on the port of Hanji in Saudi Arabia. Volleys were fired every 15 seconds. Since all the actions of the battleship - moving and shooting - were coordinated by UAVs from the air, the Missouri did not receive a single damage. Enemy positions were covered by a sea of fire, because the power of 406 mm guns, combined with modern guidance systems, was truly destructive. These salvoes became a farewell salute and the end of the century of battleships, which bore the brunt of many battles and combat duties, proving that the battleship is an effective and formidable weapon.
But the age of aircraft carriers was approaching, so the battleship Missouri was ending her service. In 1992, it was removed from the active fleet. Before her “retirement,” the battleship made a memorable journey to the shores of Japan, to the place where World War II ended. After that, he headed to his native shores. At the port of Long Beach, all weapons and important equipment were removed from him. Now it is permanently moored in the port of Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands and is a museum ship. She is interesting not only because of her fame, but also because she is the only ship of the battleship class remaining in working order. It is also of interest to modelers who, thanks to modern technology, can assemble a model of the battleship Missouri at home and add it to their collection of warships.
Results
As we can see, battleships, including the Missouri, were formidable and effective weapons that more than once saved soldiers during various conflicts of the mid and late 20th century. However, after World War II they became obsolete and were more of a beautiful toy in the hands of the US government than fulfilling their main function.
Before she was finally decommissioned in 1992, the ship received three stars for combat in World War II, five for Korean War, as well as several certificates of commendation and medals for the Gulf War. And throughout long service mighty battleship, the warship was barely scratched.
Laid down in January 1941, Missouri was the last Iowa-class battleship.
Margaret Truman launches the Missouri with then-Senator Truman in the background at the New York Naval Dock in January 1944.
As an Iowa-class battleship, Missouri was armed with nine huge 16-inch guns, 20 five-inch guns, 80 40 mm anti-aircraft guns and 49 mm anti-aircraft guns.
The American battleship Missouri fires a salvo from her forward gun turret in August 1944
In fact, the salvo of its guns was so powerful that the explosive pressure pushed the water, creating the illusion that the ship was moving laterally.
The warship was also incredibly fast, with maximum speed 33 knots, or about 38 mph.
During World War II, Missouri supported the Iwo Jima landings, the bombing of Okinawa and Hokkaido, and more.
The US battleship Missouri fires her guns during night firefights in August 1944.
In April 1945, a Japanese kamikaze pilot evaded the Missouri's anti-aircraft guns and fell to the side below the main deck. But the explosion caused little damage.
In fact, just a few months later in September 1945, World War II officially ended on the deck of the battleship Missouri, where the surrender documents were signed by the Allies and the Japanese in Tokyo Bay.
Army General Douglas MacArthur signs the document of surrender on the USS Missouri in September 1945.
Signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on board the battleship Missouri.
The American battleship Missouri sailed the Mediterranean in 1946 as a show of force against Soviet Union. Four years later, in September 1950, the battleship joined missions in the Korean War.
The mighty MO fires a salvo of 16-inch shells at Chongjin, North Korea, in an attempt to cut enemy communications in October 1950.
However, in February 1955, the battleship Missouri was decommissioned.
But in 1986, when cold war still underway, the battleship Missouri was brought back to life as part of a new U.S. Navy strategy to build up naval forces in Soviet waters in the event of a future conflict.
Large harbor tugs help the battleship Missouri enter the port of San Francisco in 1986.
The Navy also modernized the battleship Missouri as part of its recommissioning, removing some of its five-inch guns and installing Harpoon and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
And these new weapons were used during the Gulf War, where the battleship Missouri fired at least 28 cruise missiles, as well as several hundred 16-inch shells, at Iraqi targets.
In January 1991, the Missouri fired a Tomahawk cruise missile at an Iraqi target.
In fact, the battleship Missouri could have been destroyed in February 1991, when she fired in support of the landing on the Kuwait coast. The Missouri's loud 16-inch guns apparently attracted the enemy's attention, and the Iraqis fired a HY-2 missile at the ship.
In 1992, the American battleship Missouri was decommissioned for the second and final time. She was removed from the Naval Reserve list in 1995 and moved to Pearl Harbor as a museum and memorial ship in 1998.
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IN world history The names of hundreds of famous ships, famous for their adventures, participation in grandiose battles with other ships and the forces of nature, who fell during the great naval battles, are inscribed in red in the navy and civil fleet. Many of them no longer exist; only a memory remains, and even that fades over the years. There are a great many such ships in America, with the exception, perhaps, of only one American ship - the battleship Missouri, which belongs to the Iowa type military vessels designed specifically to participate in World War II.
"Missouri" - battleship with rich history, built at the end of the war, she, without firing a single shot, became famous throughout the world by taking on board representatives of the warring parties wishing to make peace, known as the peace of September 2, 1945, which ended the Second World War.
"Missouri" was launched on January 29, 1944, the construction of a ship of this type was carried out by the New York Naval Shipyard shipbuilding company. The government order for the construction of the battleship arrived in early January 1941, almost a month after the attack Japan at Pearl Harbor and the US entry into World War II.
Launching of the battleship Missouri
The construction of the battleship took almost three years, more than 10 thousand people took part in it, working not only to strengthen the hull of the ship, but also to give its surface part greater strength. To protect the turret guns and ammunition depots, special design techniques were used; there was a war going on, and it had to be taken into account that enemy aircraft would first try to destroy such a noticeable target as a brand new American battleship. The upper armor of the battleship was 16 centimeters, and this despite the fact that along its entire plating there was an armor belt, the thickness of which exceeded 34 centimeters. Each sheet used in the skin of the battleship weighed up to 50 tons.
Since the Missouri did not take part in the main hostilities, new military equipment was constantly tested on it, and by the end of the war the battleship turned into the most modern warship, the pride of the American navy. The battleship was equipped with the most modern radars to search not only for ground targets, but also for air targets located at a distance of at least 160 kilometers from the ship. In addition, the ship was equipped with sixteen-inch guns and armor-piercing shells capable of penetrating through a concrete obstacle 10 meters thick. The Missouri was also armed with Harpoon-class missiles and anti-submarine helicopters.
16-inch gun of the battleship Missouri At that time, the Missouri had no rivals in any fleet in the world. The battleship had the best air defense system among all the ships that took part in the Second Pestilence War, since in addition to the main ones it also had auxiliary ones artillery installations in the amount of 10 pieces, capable of firing 25-mm projectiles. 100 anti-aircraft guns were capable of uninterruptedly covering the ship for several hours, firing 20-mm guns, causing significant damage to the enemy.
With a length of 271 meters, a width of 33 meters and a displacement of 57 thousand tons, the Missouri could reach speeds of over 35 knots per hour. The battleship's crew included more than 2.5 thousand people, including different periods At the time, the number of crew could even reach 2.8 thousand sailors and officers. Such a large number of sailors was necessary to operate four powerful engines, maintain regular and combat watches, coordinate shots and other work usually carried out on a warship.
The Missouri managed to take part in a real battle only in the last few months of the war, but before full application All the equipment and weapons of the battleship were never completed; the ship was mainly used to cover from the sea the American landing force landing on the Japanese shores. Among the high-profile offensive operations in which the battleship took part, one can only name the operation to capture the Japanese island of Okinawa, the Missouri, together with other ships of the same type, carried out a massive attack on the enemy’s coastal fortifications, preventing him from repelling the naval paratroopers who landed on land.
Main-caliber salvo of the battleship Missouri The force of the shots fired by the Missouri was so high that just the sound of the exploding shell made one feel ill, not only to the enemies, but also to some sailors, despite the fact that most of them had undergone thorough training. With each shot, the ship shook with terrible force.
On September 2, 1945, the Missouri entered the Sea of Japan to take on board senior Japanese officials who had arrived to sign the peace agreement. On the American side, General Douglas McCarthur, who from now on became national hero America, as well as the battleship on which the long-awaited peace was signed.
After the end of the war, the Missouri began peaceful patrol service, being more a beautiful toy in the hands of politicians than a warship. In 1947, then-President of the United States Harry Truman boarded it, along with his family, returning from a conference in Rio de Janeiro. The President highly appreciated the hospitality shown by the sailors; he really liked the battleship, so throughout his presidency he treated this particular ship with special attention.
Starting from the 50s of the last century and until 1991, Missouri did not take direct part in hostilities, although they tried to use it as a means of intimidation in Vietnam and even Afghan war. In 1991, another conflict arose in the Persian Gulf and the Missouri, after a long period of inactivity, opened fire with all its guns for the first time in many years. This measure was more intimidating than purposeful; the old ship could no longer scare anyone.
On March 21, 1992, an order was received to decommission the Missouri from combat service, the captain was ordered to enter the port of Long Beach, hand over weapons and most of the valuable equipment, after which the battleship was to proceed to Pearl Harbor and permanently anchor there . But before carrying out the order of the Missouri command, they were allowed to make an honorable journey to the shores of Japan and visit the place where the legendary peace treaty was signed for the last time.
At the moment, the battleship has been turned into a museum, a visit to which is also interesting because the Missouri is the last surviving ship of this type in the world.
