Please Report Any Broken Links Or Trouble You Might Come Across To The Webmaster.
Please Take A Moment To Let Us Know So That We Can Correct Any Problems And Make Your Visit As Enjoyable And As Informative As Possible.

NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive

BB-47 WASHINGTON

Radio Call Sign: November - Whiskey - Echo

---

Click On Image For Full Size	Size	Image Description		Source
Keel Laying / Commissioning 1919 - 1921
	NR	GIGANTIC PROJECTED AMERICAN WARSHIPS WILL OUTCLASS WORLD'S GREATEST VESSELS With the picture of the battle cruiser (upper picture) is shown that of the new projected battleship of the Colorado (BB-45), Maryland (BB-46), West Virginia (BB-48) and Washington (BB-47). They will be vessels of 32,600 tons, With twenty-one knots speed and carrying eight sixteen inch guns each. There will be twenty-two smaller guns besides four anti-air craft guns and torpedo tubes. Big as these ships will be they will be outclassed by the three still newer battleships already authorized, the ships of the 49, 50, 51 class.		Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH. Photo from The Democratic Banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 26 December 1916, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	139k	Keel of the Washington (BB-47) starboard side looking aft, temporary position on Ways "K", New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 July 1919.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	110k	Washington (BB-47) view looking aft,foreground assembling long torpedo on the ground, background (extreme) work proceeding on ways foundation, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 October 1919.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	221k	Washington (BB-47) view from the stern, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 January 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
>	276k	View from bow of the Washington (BB-47), at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 January 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	230k	Bow view looking aft of the Washington (BB-47), 12 April 1920 while under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	245k	Stern view looking forward of the Washington (BB-47), 12 April 1920 while under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	191k	Starboard quarter view of the Washington (BB-47), at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 12 April 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	185k	Bow view of the Washington (BB-47), New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 July 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	271k	Washington (BB-47) view from the port quarter, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 July 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	272k	Bow view of the Washington (BB-47), New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, October 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	288k	Stern view of the Washington (BB-47), New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 26 October 1920.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	184k	View taken from starboard quarter of the Washington (BB-47), 6 January 1921 while under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	225k	View taken from port quarter of the Washington (BB-47), 6 January 1921 while under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. Print somewhat obscured, but what looks like "trimming machine" is mentioned in the description.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	258k	Washington (BB-47) under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. Script on back of photo says "Progress View - Stern View, 15 January 1921."		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	230k	"Progress view - Bow View of the Washington (BB-47), 15 January 1921." Deck under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	236k	Washington (BB-47) view from the port quarter, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 April 1921.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	314k	Bow view of the Washington (BB-47) under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ, 7 July 1921.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	10k	Washington (BB-47) view of the starboard bow, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 7 July 1921. (No larger image available at this moment, hint, find me one!		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	NR	APPOINTED SPONSOR. Jean Summers has been appointed by Gov. L. F. Hart of Washington as sponsor of the dreadnought Washington (BB-47) to be launched at Camden. N. J. She is a daughter of Congressman John W. Summers.		Image and text provided by University of Florida. Photo & text by The Pensacola Journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 16 July 1921, Image 1, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	NR	Washington (BB-47) Ready for Waves Walla Walla Girl to Launch New Ship		Image and text provided by Washington State Library; Olympia, WA. Photo & text by The Seattle Star. (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 31 August 1921, Image 12, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	120k	Washington (BB-47) starboard after poppet & packing at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 September 1921.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	107k	Washington (BB-47) starboard fore poppet & packing at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 1 September 1921.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	842k	BOW OF BATTLESHIP A unique view of the graceful clipper stem of the superdreadnaught Washington (BB-47) as she appeared just before launching (1 September 1921). The picture shows the pronounced flare outward from the waterline to the upper deck, intended to facilitate the stowing and handling of her anchors of which there will be three. The extreme top of the bow with its gargoyle-line appearance, shows the three hawse pipes for the anchors, a design carried out now on all the late superdreadnaughts constructed.		Digital ID # ggbain 32937, LC-B2-5531-10. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection. Image and text provided by Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT. Photo & text by Great Falls Tribune. (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 18 September 1921, Image 16, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	1.81k	Stern and view of Washington's (BB-47) propellers, 1 September 1921.		Digital ID # ggbain 32932v, LC-B2-5531-1A. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection.
	1.91k	Starboard bow view of the Washington (BB-47) before her launching, 1 September 1921.		Digital ID # ggbain 32936v, LC-B2-5531-9. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection.
	NR	Giant Warship Leaving Ways and its Sponsor The Superdreadnought Washington (BB-47) taking the water at Camden, N. J.,yesterday and Miss Jean Summers, ten-year-old daughter of representative J. W. Summers, of Walla Walla, Wa., who christened the vessel with a bottle of water taken from the rivers of her native state.		Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo & text by New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 2 September 1921, Image 63, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
014700	NR	Giant New Battleship Taking Water and Her Young Sponsor, the Washington (BB-47), leaving the ways-at Camden, N. J., where it was christened on the first of September.		Image and text provided by University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL. Photo & text by The Birmingham Age-Herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 12 September 1921, Image 9, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	369k	The launching of the Washington (BB-47), 1 September 1921 at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey.		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 47, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	135k	The launching of the Washington (BB-47), at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard, Camden, New Jersey, 1 September 1921. Photographed by the Aero Service Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Colorado (BB-45) is fitting out in the wet basin at the end of the covered ship ways building. The two 535-foot passenger liners fitting out in the upper left are S.S. Southern Cross, converted later as the Wharton (AP-7), and S.S. Hoosier State. Washington's construction ceased in February 1922, under the terms of the Naval Limitations Treaty, and she was sunk as a target in 1924.		U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 105177. Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2007.
014938	NR	Video showing state of construction of the South Dakota (BB-49), Washington (BB-47) & Colorado (BB-45) at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. Worker walking across snow-covered deck of unfinished battleship South Dakota / ship under construction or construction halted / workers on ship / pan ship side, signs reading "Twin Screws Keep Clear of Propeller," can see Washington faintly above sign / pan down ship funnels, workers on deck levels / side view nearly finished Colorado, workers along railroad tracks / workers on deck of Colorado, big guns in fg / Note: exact day not known.		Video courtesy of Daniel Hacker.
014577	1.65k	Inscription: "Bird's Eye View of New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, N.J." Copyright 1921, this view shows all the elements of the World War I expansion, as well as Yorkship Village rising from the former Cooper farm at top center. The Yard looked much like this when the Washington (BB-47) was constructed here. Colorado (BB-45) is fitting out in the wet basin at the end of the covered ship ways building. Two 535-foot passenger liners are also fitting out, in the upper left of the photo.		Photo & partial text courtesy of newyorkship.org. Photo i.d. courtesy of Charles R. Haberlein Jr.
	614k	Partial stern view of the Washington (BB-47), 30 September 1921. Note her name written on the side of her stern.		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 34, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	110k	Washington (BB-47) general view looking aft, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 30 September 1921.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	927k	A freighter sails past the Washington (BB-47), as she lies in her berth next to a steamer, 30 September 1921.		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 16, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
014754	NR	WASHINGTON (BB-47) SUPER DREADNAUGHT. The photo shows two of the huge propellers, each of which is to be driven by its own 8,300 H.-P. motor. Power for the motors will be furnished by two 5,000 H.-P. Westinghouse turbo-electric generators.		Underwood & Underwood photo. Image and text provided by Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA. Photo & text by The Herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 20 October 1921, Image 13, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
014748	762k	Washington (BB-47) propeller strut.		Photo from the Bain News Service, Library of Congress: Call Number: LC-B2-5537-13. Photo courtesy of loc.gov via Daniel Hacker.
014755	1.25k	Washington (BB-47) dynamos.		Photo from the Bain News Service, Library of Congress: Call Number: LC-B2-5537-14. Photo courtesy of loc.gov via Daniel Hacker.
	148k	Washington (BB-47) bow view looking aft, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, 31 December 1921.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	744k	View from forward looking aft, 31 December 1921.		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 38, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	3.47	Drawing by the artist Barclay of the Washington (BB-47) underway, had she been completed, 1921.		Photo from the Bain News Service, Library of Congress: Call Number: LC-B2-5536-4. Photo courtesy of loc.gov via Daniel Hacker.
	1.00k	The Washington (BB-47) as she would appear when completed. USNIP., January 1922.		USNI Photo Navy Recruiting Bureau, N.Y.. Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels.
	678k	Interior view of the Washington (BB-47) under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. Script on back of photo says "February 04, 1922".		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 44, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	89k	View of the Washington (BB-47) looking towards her two main turrets under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. Script on back of photo says "February 04, 1922".		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	446k	Stern view of the Washington (BB-47) under construction at NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. Script on back of photo says ""February 04, 1922". Note the sign on her stern saying "Twin screws, keep clear of propellers."		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 43, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
7	85k	Starboard side view of the Washington (BB-47) tied up to the NY Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. docks. Script on back of photo says "February 04, 1922". Four days from the date of this picture, work was stopped on her construction.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	852k	Washington (BB-47) "Being fitted out in wet slip - Looking aft from bow. Taken from overhead crane. February 04, 1922".		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 14, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
014752	NR	INSPECTING Rear Admiral George M. McElroy on the Washington (BB-47) in the New York Shipbuilding yard at Camden, in connection with ship scrapping plans.		Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA. Photo & text by Evening Public Ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 20 February 1922, Final, Image 24, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	NR	Naval board weighs fate of big battleships. Photo snapped during inspection of the Washington (BB-47) and the Colorado (BB-45), both ships now nearing completion at the Camden, N. J., yards. Rear Admiral George W. McElroy in overalls at right.		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo & text by Evening Star.([volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 26 February 1922, Image 67, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	NR	Rear Admiral George McElroy, who heads a special board of naval officers to determine whether the battleship Washington (BB-47) or West Virginia (BB-48) shall be the one completed under the new naval treaty signed at the conference on limitation of armament. By the treaty the United States is allowed to have two ships of this class, the Colorado (BB-45) being completed.		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo & text by Evening Star. (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 26 February 1922, Image 68, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
7	406k	The Washington (BB-47), photographed from the South Yard of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, on 5 April 1922. Her construction had been suspended some two months previously, under the terms of the Washington Naval Limitations treaty.		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 48, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	452k	Slightly different angle from the above photo of the Washington (BB-47), photographed from the South Yard of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, on 5 April 1922.		US National Archives photo # 19-lc-22D 9277, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	122k	View of the Washington (BB-47), taken from her superstructure, looking aft, photographed from the South Yard of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, on 5 April 1922.		US National Archives photo from NARA, College Park, Maryland, Record Group (RG-19-LC), Box 23. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell.
	240k	"Smoke stack of Washington (BB-47)", 13 November 1924.		Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
	NR	NAVAL EXPERT WHO ASKED COURT TO HALT SHIP SCRAPPING William Baldwin Shearer of New York who filed suit when Navy Department issued order to sink battleship Washington (BB-47) in accordance with Arms Treaty, and claims that destruction of craft in not required by provisions of treaty. The date of the sinking has been kept secret, but Mr. Shearer asked the court to stop action until Congress can investigate. Left to right; Martin J. McNamara, attorney; Mr. Shearer, and Wilton J. Lambert, attorney.		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from Evening Star. (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 15 November 1924, Image 16, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
014753	NR	Greatest Navy Scrapper Doomed Despite objection of William Baldwin Shearer, New York, partly completed battleship Washington (BB-47) must be destroyed before next February, the Supreme court ruled recently. Shearer contended that signatories of arms pact, which provided that the Washington (view of deck,above) be sunk, failed to live up to pact.		Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT. Photo & text by New Britain Herald. volume] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 17 November 1924, Image 12, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Sinking
	93k	Incomplete hulk of the Washington (BB-47) being towed out to sea. Among the many not completed features, note the partially completed cage mast.		USN photo courtesy of maritimequest.com.
	316k	Washington (BB-47) being struck by a salvo on 26 November 1924.		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	64k	A salvo from the battleship New York (BB-34) strikes the Washington (BB-47) on her starboard side while the ship was used as a target off Virginia Capes, Virginia, 26 November 1924. The battleship Texas (BB-35) is in the background.		USN photo courtesy of maritimequest.com.
	115k	26 November 1924, off Virginia Capes, after being battered by fourteen 14" hits from the New York (BB-34) and Texas (BB-35), the incomplete Washington (BB-47) starts to sink after gunfire tests.		USN photo.
	146k	Final moments of Washington (BB-47) on 26 November 1924. The Battleship New York (BB-34) is in the background.		USN photo.
014756	1.43k	The Sinking of $30,000,000 Dreadnought.		Photo from facebook.com via Daniel Hacker.

---

BB-47 WASHINGTON History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

---

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

---

Not Applicable To This Ship.

---

---

Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Battleship Pages By Andrew Toppan.

---

Back To The Main Photo Index

Back To The Battleship Photo Index Page

This page is created and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024, by Paul R. Yarnall NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.