“Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided tour or, with an additional charge, our guided Topside Tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic ship that earned five battle stars during WW II.”

“The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is owned and operated by the United States Navy and located on level two of Nauticus. The museum houses a rich collection of authentic uniforms, weaponry, underwater artifacts, detailed ship models and artwork. For more information, please visit www.hrnm.navy.mil.”

History

“Battleship Wisconsin (BB-64), an Iowa-class battleship, was the second ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 30th state. Her keel was laid down on January 25, 1941 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She was launched on December 7, 1943 sponsored by Mrs. Walter S. Goodland, and commissioned on April 16, 1944, with Captain Earl E. Stone in command.”

“After her trials and initial training in the Chesapeake Bay, Wisconsin departed Norfolk, Virginia, on July 7, 1944, bound for the British West Indies. Following her shakedown, conducted out of Trinidad, the third Iowa-class battleship to join the Fleet returned to her builder’s yard for post-shakedown repairs and alterations.”

Stats

• Displacement – 45,000 tons
• Displacement – 58,000 tons loaded
• Length – 887′ 3″
• Beam – 108′ 2″
• Draft – 37′ 8″
• Speed – 33 knots
• Complement – 1,600
• Armament – 9 16″, 20 5″, 80 40mm., 49 20mm.
• Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8 600 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 212,000 shp
• Class – Iowa

Battleship Wisconsin Chronology

• January 25, 1941 – Keel Laid Down by Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard
• December 7, 1943 – Launched
• April 16, 1944 – Commissioned
• July 1, 1948 – Decommissioned
• March 3, 1951 – Recommissioned for Korean War Service
• March 8, 1958 – Decommissioned
• October 22, 1988 – Recommissioned as part of President Reagan’s 600 Ship Navy
• September 30, 1991 – Decommissioned
• February 12, 1998 – Reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register, in reserve
• December 7, 2000 – Battleship Wisconsin Moved To Nauticus Berthing