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Marine Review _ September,1931 The new U.S.S. Pennsylvania after two years at the Philadelphia Navy Yard undergoing elaborate modernization costing $7,500,000 « EDITORIAL * Modernizing Our Battleships Strengthens Naval Forces HE navy is our first line of defense and the battleship, though opinions may vary, is still the backbone of the navy. It is there- fore of special interest to note that the U.S. 8. PENNSYLVANIA, first commissioned June 12, 1916, has just completed an elaborate program of modernization and is now ready to resume her original position as flagship of the United States fleet. This powerful fighting ship was authorized by congress Aug. 22,1912. Her keel was laid Oct. 27, 1913, at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. She was launched March 16, 1915, and was first placed in com- mission June 12,1916. At that time, on a draft of 28 feet 10 inches, her displacement was 31,- 400 tons and she represented a total expendi- ture of about $13,000,000. . On her builder’s trials, held Feb. 27, 1916, off Rockland, Me., her fastest mile was 21.75 knots and for the five high speed runs, she de- veloped: an average speed of 21.38 knots. In her memorable career of 13 years before her reconditioning she established a high reputation for efficiency and dependability. During this period she steamed nearly 300,000 miles. Her modernization, for which congress ap- propriated $7,500,000, began on May 2, 1929, at the Philadelphia navy yard. In June of this year her standardization trials following the completion of her reconditioning were success- fully held off Rockland, Me. Her command- ing officer is Capt. J. M. Enochs, U. S. N. She has been transformed from a prewar veteran of the old “dreadnaught’’ design to a modern ves- sel of war embodying all the formidable fea- tures of post-war and recent capital ship de- velopment. The old cage masts and hooded ventilators, long distinctive features of Ameri- can battleships, are gone. The conning towers are now supported by two rugged tripods. It is evident from the accompanying illus- tration that the top hamper has been reduced to a minimum. This is in order to provide a wide sweep for the antiaircraft guns. The broadside battery has been raised a whole deck above its former location. A new deck serves as foundation for the new antiaircraft guns. Additional steel decking protects the vessel against the fall of shot from high angle fire and from aircraft bombs. An important part of the reconditioning has been the complete reboilering with new express MARINE REVIEw—September, 1931 15