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This postcard depicts the first USS New Jersey (BB-16), a Virginia-class pre-dreadnought battleship commissioned in 1906. It is distinct from the more famous WWII-era Iowa-class battleship (BB-62) currently preserved as a museum in Camden, New Jersey.
Historical Significance
The BB-16 was the first ship in the U.S. Navy to bear the name New Jersey. Its career highlights include:
- The Great White Fleet: From 1907 to 1909, it participated in the historic global circumnavigation ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt to showcase American naval power.
- Mexican Revolution: In 1914, it took part in the U.S. occupation of Veracruz.
- World War I: During the war, the ship served primarily as a training vessel and later ferried nearly 5,000 veterans home from Europe.
Design and Specifications
The ship was notable for its unique \"superposed\" turrets, where smaller guns were mounted directly on top of larger ones.
Fate
Following the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922, which mandated a reduction in naval armaments, the ship was decommissioned. On September 5, 1923, it was used as a target in aerial bombing tests conducted by General Billy Mitchell and was sunk off the coast of North Carolina.
The corners are soft. Please look at both sides of the postcard to determine the condition as it is a very important part of the description.
Please message me if you have any questions. I thank you so very much for looking at my beautifully colored postcar
