Indiana-class battleship

The Indiana Class: A Tale of Naval Ambition and Reality

Imagine a time when the United States Navy embarked on an ambitious construction program, only to face criticism and controversy from Congress. The Indiana class battleships were part of this grand vision, but their story is one of both promise and disappointment.

The Birth of an Ambition

Back in 1889, the U.S. Navy authorized a massive naval construction program that included ten first-rate long-range battleships and twenty-five short-range second-rate battleships. The plan was to divide these short-range ships into three subclasses, but this idea never saw the light of day.

Controversy and Funding

The Indiana class ships were initially met with controversy due to their ambitious construction program and the staggering cost of $281 million—approximately equal to the US Navy budget over 15 years. The House of Representatives approved funding for three battleships in April 1890, but Tracy proposed reducing this number to twelve. Ultimately, only one ship received official approval.

Design and Specifications

The Indiana-class ships were designed with moderate coal endurance, small displacement, and low freeboard, which limited their seagoing capability. They were heavily armed and armored, featuring four 13-inch guns, an intermediate battery of eight 8-inch guns, and a secondary battery of four 6-inch guns. The belt armor was 17 inches thick, the deck armor 2.75 inches, and casemate armor 4 inches.

Commissioning and Service

The Indiana-class ships were commissioned between 1895 and 1907: Indiana (BB-1) in 1895, Massachusetts in 1902, and Oregon in 1906. These ships served various roles, from training exercises to combat during the Spanish-American War.

The Indiana Class in Action

During the Spanish-American War, Oregon did not join the chase of Spanish cruisers due to engine problems but opened fire with Iowa and Gloucester instead. She returned to training exercises before being decommissioned in 1903, then recommissioned in 1906 as a training ship during World War I.

End of an Era

The Indiana class ships were eventually scrapped between 1919 and 1956. Oregon, for instance, served with the Pacific Station before being ordered to complete a voyage around South America in preparation for war with Spain. She completed the journey in just 66 days and took part in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, earning the nickname ‘Bulldog of the Navy.’

Legacy and Scrapping

In February 1941, Oregon was redesignated IX-22. She was sold during World War II for her scrap value, with her stripped hull used as an ammunition barge during the battle of Guam. In November 1948, she broke loose and drifted out to sea but was towed back. Sold on March 15, 1956, Oregon was scrapped in Japan.

The Indiana class, while ambitious in design and concept, ultimately proved ineffective due to their small size and heavy armor placement. Their story is a reminder of the challenges faced by naval architects and policymakers in balancing ambition with practicality.

As we look back on the Indiana class battleships, it’s clear that they were more than just ships—they were symbols of a nation’s aspirations and the complexities of military strategy. The lessons learned from their design and service continue to shape naval doctrine today.