bb40

My father was stationed on the USS New Mexico from 1933 to 1939. Not a lot of information about the ship during that period. His service records reference mostly training exercises and tactical maneuvers with the Asiatic Fleet. Also believe he went through the canal as the BB40 was in Guantanamo Bay Cuba in Feb 1939.

On the left side of the frame is Harold J. Pohl (USN) (1903-1992), USNA 1926. See: www.findagrave.com/memorial/49299419/harold-john-pohl At center is William H. Harrison (USMC) (1896-1955) From Wikipedia: Harrison remained at Quantico until June 1929, when he was promoted to the rank of captain and appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS New Mexico. While aboard that vessel, he participated in patrol cruises in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans until July 1931. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Harrison_(USMC)

Her keel was laid down on 25 October 1916 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California. She was launched 20 November 1919 sponsored by Mrs. R.T. (Barbara Stephens) Zane, daughter of California governor William D. Stephens. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_California_(BB-44)

This picture is pretty far from the action. Here's one that might be what the crowd is trying to see: www.navsource.org/archives/01/014496.jpg

Thanks for your research Kilted Cowboy, and thank you artolog for the great image. We'll add some of the details to the records covering the event the next time we update.

Kilted Cowboy--We did a doublecheck on this image, as the date on the negative is Oct. 14, 1915. It appears that the construction of the "USS California" depicted here was at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and began at a ceremony attended by Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels on Oct. 14, 1915. (New York Times, Oct. 15, 1915). search.proquest.com/cv_667311/docview/97740621/13E0915002... Later the name of this ship was changed to the USS New Mexico. Another ship which was named the USS California had its keel laid down on 25 October 1916 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California. Daniels did not attend this ceremony. (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 26, 1916) search.proquest.com/cv_667311/docview/160327392/13E09173A... The name change of the ship in this image, from the USS Califonia to the USS New Mexico has created the challenge for identification.

Excellent historical sleuthing, Arden. The mystery of the difference in the image dates and the Mare Island event are now solved, as well as why the event was one year off from the generally chronological order of the Bain photos. The image I linked to above, of course, is from the Mare Island event in October, 1916. A ship's history provided by the New Mexico Council of the Navy League of the United States has this to say about the building of the ship, which was ultimately involved in many battles in the Pacific Theater of WWII: "Authorized by an Act of Congress dated June 30, 1914, construction of Battleship 40 was allocated to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and begun in October 1915. At first scheduled to bear the name CALIFORNIA, the huge finished product was officially labeled USS NEW MEXICO as she plunged down greased ways on April 23, 1917. Sponsor at the elegant launching ceremonies was Miss Margaret C de Baca, daughter of New Mexico’s Governor Ezequiel Cabeza de Baca. For Miss C de Baca and for the state of New Mexico (the first time a U.S. Navy ship had been named NEW MEXICO), it was a red letter day. War-built battleship NEW MEXICO constituted at that time the prime example of engineering prowess, of U.S. naval architectural know-how. Rising ominously from the NEW MEXICO’s deck in a 2-A-2 gun arrangement were four massive steel turrets, each built up entirely of flat armor plates and housing a trio of 14-inch rifles. Most of the 5-inch guns in her secondary battery were spotted strategically in drier positions at upper deck level. Submerged below the waterline were two 21-inch torpedo tubes. Two popular-like cage masts adorned the 624-foot hull (16 feet longer than any previous BB class). Improved compartmentation and the substitution of a graceful clipper bow with bulbous forefoot for the ram bow of earlier capital ships were outstanding features. However, top innovation of all came when the NEW MEXICO was singled out to be the first turboelectric-driven battleship. Prompted by the successful record of the fleet collier JUPITER, pioneer in electric propulsion, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels put his official O.K. on an order to outfit the NEW MEXICO with four mammoth General Electric motors. They would operate the NEW MEXICO’s four propellers and enable her to make her accredited 21 knots. Old time sailors and engineers were quick to voice strong opposition in letters, telegrams and interviews, and soon had the controversy before the House Naval Committee. “It is bound to prove an expensive failure,” argued the protesting experts, “so let some other nation try it first.” The decision of the Committee put the decision squarely up to Secretary Daniels." More at: www.ussnewmexico.net/bb40-history/