Launched from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the USS Arizona represents a pinnacle of early 20th-century American industrial might and naval strategy. Understanding when the USS Arizona was built requires looking back to the geopolitical landscape of the 1910s, a period defined by escalating global tensions and an arms race among the world's major powers. The ship was not merely a product of its time but a specific response to the evolving threats that defined the era, making its construction timeline a critical piece of military history.
Laying the Keel: The Authorization and Design Phase
The story of when the USS Arizona was built begins long before the first rivet was hammered into place. The authorization for the ship came through the Naval Act of 1916, a significant piece of legislation that aimed to expand the United States Navy to rival the Royal Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Designated as BB-39, the vessel was designed as a super-dreadnought, incorporating lessons learned from the preceding Nevada-class battleships. The planning phase focused on achieving a balance between firepower, protection, and speed, setting the stage for a ship that would become an icon of American power.
Construction Timeline and Key Dates
The actual construction of the USS Arizona followed a rigorous and highly coordinated process. The vessel was built by the New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York, a center of heavy industrial production. The timeline is precise and significant for historians tracking the escalation toward World War II.
June 19, 1915
From Steel to Sea: The Launch and Commissioning
The physical construction of the ship was a marvel of engineering for the time. The keel, the backbone of the vessel, was laid on March 16, 1915, marking the formal start of the build. The process involved constructing the hull, installing the complex machinery, and outfitting the ship with its formidable array of guns. The launch on June 19, 1915, was a major public event, with the ship's sponsor, Mrs. John D. Murray, breaking a bottle of champagne across the bow. After nearly two years of fitting out and sea trials, the USS Arizona was officially commissioned on October 17, 1916, rendering it operational just as World War I raged in Europe.
Operational History and the Interwar Period
Although commissioned in 1916, the USS Arizona saw limited action during World War I, primarily because the Imperial German Navy largely remained in port. Consequently, the period between the wars became crucial for the ship's development. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Arizona underwent several modernizations, including the installation of anti-torpedo bulges and upgrades to its fire control systems. It served as a flagship and participated in various training exercises and goodwill tours, becoming a familiar sight in ports across the Pacific and Atlantic, long before the outbreak of the next global conflict.
