USS California (BB 44)

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History coming soon....

Ship's Data
Where applicable, data is that of the modernized/reconstructed version and not that of the original as-built configuration.

Class:
Nickname:
Authorized:
Keel Laid:
Launched:
Commissioned:
Main Battery:
Secondary Battery:
Design Displacement:
Full Load Displacement:
Overall Length:
Waterline Length:
Draft:
Beam:
Design Speed:
Decommissioned:
WWII Battle Stars:
Final Fate:

Tennessee
The Prune Barge
3 March 1915
25 October 1916
20 November 1919
10 August 1921
Twelve 14in/50cal Mk.7 (4 x 3)
Sixteen 5in/38cal (8 x 2)
32,600 tons
40,900 tons
624 ft
600 ft
34 ft
114 ft
21 knots
14 February 1947
Seven
Sold for scrap to Boston Metals Company (10 July 1959)

Camouflage
All the dates given may not be exact as to the month of repainting.
For more information about the different camouflage measures refer to the Camouflage page.

? - May? 1942
Jan 1944 - Feb 1945
Feb 1945 - ?

Measure 1
Measure 32/16D
Measure 21

Battle Stars
These are the locations and dates of the operations that earned a battle star.

	1. Pearl Harbor/Midway		7 December 1941
	2. Marianas Operation
	- Capture and Occupation of Saipan		14-20 June 1944
	- Capture and Occupation of Tinian		21 July - 2 August 1944
	- Capture and Occupation of Guam		2-9 August 1944
	3. Leyte Operation
	- Leyte Landings		21 November 1944
	4. Luzon Operation
	- Lingayen Gulf Landings		4-18 January 1945
	5. Okinawa-Gunto Operation
	- Assault and Occupation of Okinawa-Gunto		17-30 June 1945
	6. Third Fleet Operations Against Japan		10 July - 7 August 1945
	7. [Unknown]		[Note: I am unaware of the operation represented by the seventh battle star. And so am not certain when the operation took place, so it is doubtful it was actually the seventh numerically as I have listed it here.]

Photos
These photos are arranged in chronological order and are believed to be all declassified official USN photos (unless otherwise noted.)
[Thumbnails are 15% of full image size.]

	A Japanese photo showing the Ford Island area and a view of Battleship Row. California is the right most battleship in this image. A plume rises from Oklahoma as she gets hit.	7 December 1941
	Shown burning during the attack.	7 December 1941
	Shown listing soon after the attack.	December 1941
	Shown after Pearl Harbor repairs and reconstruction. Her superstruture was dramatically altered, her beam increased and the addition of a 5in/38cal battery.	1944
	Underway in the Pacific wearing measure 32/16D camouflage.	1944
	As above, showing the port side camouflage pattern.	12 June 1944
	In a floating drydock to make repairs from the collision with Tennessee.	August 1944
	Underway.	28 October 1944
	At Surigao Strait with a dazzle camouflaged escort carrier.	January 1945
	Underway during post-refit trials in Puget Sound. (Provided by Mike Green)	April 1945
	Two quad 40mm Bofors mounts with their Mk.51 director visible in the foreground.	29 July 1945
	A late war overhead view, notice the crowded superstructure filled with anti-aircraft guns.	1945
	A post-war image showing her final configuration. Now also wearing measure 21 camouflage.	29 September 1945
	As above.	1945