USS Mississippi
Contents
Description
New Mexico-class, USS Mississippi (BB-41), 1945 was the second of three New Mexico-class ships. The New Mexicos would be overall similar to the preceding Pennsylvania-class, with the notable addition of longer barreled 50-calibre guns and a new turbo-electric drive. Laid down in April 1915, Mississippi would be commissioned in December 1917; this would leave her crew training during the remainder of the First World War, seeing no action in this conflict. She would be modernized during the interwar period, giving her more powerful engines which increased her top speed past the typical 21.0 kn found on Standard-type battleships. USS Mississippi would see extensive action throughout WW2, with her first notable action taking place in the Aleutians. She would go on to participate in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, before moving on the Peleliu and later the Philippines. She would take part in the Battle of Surigao Strait, however with her older radar she would have significant difficulty acquiring targets, firing only one salvo during the engagement, after the order was given to cease fire. However, this gives her the distinction of being the last battleship to fire on another battleship, ever. She would then continue supporting operations in the Philippines before moving to shell Okinawa, taking multiple kamikaze hits during this timeframe. She would be present in Tokyo Bay for the signing of Japanese surrender. Postwar, she would be converted first into a gunnery training ship, and then into a test ship for new weapons, notably testing the US Navy's first ship-to-air missile. She would serve in this capacity until being decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1956, being broken up in 1957.
USS Mississippi was introduced as a reward for the 2023 Winter Extreme event, the first rank 6 event ship. Compared to earlier battleships such as the USS Nevada or USS Arizona she is slightly faster with a similar armour scheme, and she is also the first USN Battleship in War Thunder with the long barreled 14-inch gun, giving her greater penetration as well. This does come with the downside of only having the earlier 5-inch 25 calibre anti-aircraft gun instead of the later 38 calibre dual purpose guns, making her less effective against lightly armoured ships such as light cruisers and destroyers. Overall a solid battleship focused more on capability against other capital ships, with strong anti-aircraft ability as well.
General info
Survivability and armour
Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.
Mobility
Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.
| Mobility Characteristics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Mode | Upgrade Status | Maximum Speed (km/h) | |
| Forward | Reverse | ||
| AB | |||
| Upgraded | 47 | 21 | |
| RB/SB | |||
| Upgraded | 40 | 18 | |
Modifications and economy
| Seakeeping | Unsinkability | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Armament
Primary armament
Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: {{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 1,000 m | 2,500 m | 5,000 m | 7,500 m | 10,000 m | 15,000 m | ||
| Mk.19 HC | HE | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 |
| Mk.16 APCBC | APCBC | 714 | 669 | 601 | 543 | 493 | 418 |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (s) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| Mk.19 HC | HE | 861 | 578.33 | 0 | 0.1 | 46.31 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |||
| Mk.16 APCBC | APCBC | 823 | 680.38 | 0.035 | 26 | 10.17 | 48° | 63° | 71° | |||
Secondary armament
Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control Select secondary weapon. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 1,000 m | 2,500 m | 5,000 m | 7,500 m | 10,000 m | 15,000 m | ||
| Mk.36 AAC | HE-TF | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Mk.28 AAC-VT | HE-VT | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| Mk.36 AAC | HE-TF | 657 | 24.42 | 0 | 0.1 | 3.16 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |||
| Proximity-fused shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Arming distance (m) |
Trigger radius (m) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| Mk.28 AAC-VT | HE-VT | 657 | 23.45 | 0 | 0.1 | 457 | 23 | 3.25 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |
Anti-aircraft armament
An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control Select anti-aircraft weapons. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.
Scout plane
Usage in battles
Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Incredible survivability due to thick armour belt covered the entire citadel and huge crew count
- All of the crew compartments are located deep below the deck, thus making them practically immune to HE blasts
- Twelve 14-inch guns with high-power APCBC shells
- Heavy anti-air armaments at all ranges
- Has an access to air search radar
Cons:
- Weak default shell for both the main and secondary guns, thus greatly limiting its damage output
- Incredibly slow top speed and poor maneuverability, extremely vulnerable to large bombs and torpedoes
- The main guns have very slow rate of fire
- Poorly-protected bridge, expect it to be knocked out often
- Open-mount AA suite are highly vulnerable to explosive blasts
History
Built as the second of three New Mexico-Class battleships and named for the state of Mississippi, the USS Mississippi's life began when the keel was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding in early April of 1915. During construction, the United States became entangled in the already ongoing First World War and even though she was launched before the war ended, it unfortunately never saw service. Gliding into the water carrying sponsor Camelle McBeath, the daughter of the Chairman of the Mississippi State Highway Commission, on January 25th, 1917, the ship continued to be fitted out as the war in Europe raged on. After months of fitting out and preparations, the ship was finally commissioned in December of 1917 commanded by Captain Joseph L. Jaybe, himself a native of Brandon, MS and soon began the normal shakedown cruise. In early 1918, the ship began exercises along the coast of Virginia before being moved south into Cuban waters for further exercises and training. Once finished with their assignment, the ship then sailed north to Hampton Roads in April of that year where it stayed along the East Coast until the final months of the First World War. Now that the conflict in Europe was finished, the ship began winter exercises in the Caribbean until receiving orders to sail west to join the Pacific Fleet based in San Pedro, CA.
With the departure from the East Coast in July 1919 and eventual joining of the fleet, the ship spent the next four years sailing along the West Coast and in March 1923 took part in a live fire exercise where it sank the recently withdrawn pre-dreadnought USS Iowa (BB-4). However, the good times could not last and in June of 1924 the Mississippi experienced an explosion located in the number 2 turret, the result of which killed 48 men of the ship’s crew. After receiving repairs, the Mississippi joined several other ships taking part in war games off the coast of Hawaii. After a goodwill cruise to New Zealand and Australia, the ship was ordered east in 1931 to the Norfolk Navy Yard to receive extensive modernization, seeing changes to the superstructure and secondary armament which eventually was complete in mid 1933. The USS Mississippi continued active service and began training exercises until in October of 1934 when she was again ordered to join the Pacific Fleet in San Pedro, where it remained until the middle of 1941. The ship was sent to Norfolk on June 16th to start preparations for Neutrality Patrol service operating in the North Atlantic. During this time, the Mississippi escorted American convoys bound for Iceland where the ship stayed until on December 7th, 1941, the Japanese attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor and sent United States into war not only with Japan but as well as in Europe. With this development, the Mississippi left Iceland and steamed towards the West Coast once again, arriving in San Francisco on the 22nd of January 1942 to be tasked with not only training but protection of convoys as well.
USS Mississippi began escorting convoys to Fiji in December of 1942 before eventually returning to Pearl Harbor in March of the next year. While there, the ship took part in training exercises for the upcoming operations in the Aleutian Islands to the north. Reaching their next official orders, the ship took part in the shelling of Kiska in July, which played a part in the eventual evacuation of Japanese forces in the area. After the success of the campaign, the ship briefly returned to San Francisco where an overhaul was performed prior to joining Allied forces en-route to the Gilbert Islands. While supporting troops at the Battle of Makin, tragedy struck in a familiar fashion as on November 20th, an explosion occurred inside of a turret, resulting in 43 deaths. After undergoing more repairs, the ship returned once again to duty in January of 1944, providing fire support during the invasion of Kwajalein. The next month, Mississippi took part in the bombardment of Taroa and Wotje before finally striking Kavieng on the island of New Ireland on March 15th. After being ordered to Puget Sound for an expansion of the 5” battery the ship steamed towards Palaus, aiding in the Battle of Peleliu in September. Arriving in Manus for replenishment the ship then moved towards the Philippines where it took part in bombarding Leyte in October. Some five nights later, the Mississippi took part in the Battle of Surigao Strait.
At the Battle of Surigao Strait, Mississippi would join battleships and Pearl Harbor veterans West Virginia, Maryland, Tennesse, California, and Pennsylvania. During this particular battle, Mississippi would only fire off one full salvo of twelve 14” shells. However, with this shot the Mississippi would earn the distinction of becoming the last battleship to fire upon another in history, as well as marking the end of the battle. Although the battle was over, this would not be the final usage of her cannons in the Pacific, as later the ship continued providing support throughout the Philippines, moving into support the landings at Lingayen Gulf on the islands of Luzon. Moving into the gulf to fire upon Japanese shore positions on January 6th, 1945, the ship supported the allied invasion where during this fire support the ship would receive a Kamikaze strike near the waterline. This, however, did not cause much damage as Mississippi continued to support the invasion until February 10th when it then was ordered to sail to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Once repairs had been completed, Mississippi steamed towards Okinawa, arriving off the coast on May 6th where it began an assault on Japanese shore positions. While supporting the invasion, Mississippi would take yet another hit from a Kamikaze on June 5th, but just like the previous attack it did not cause enough damage to force the ship to back out of the fight, remaining off the coast of Okinawa until the 15th. With the end of the war finally arriving in August of 1945, Mississippi was ordered to sail north towards Japan, subsequently arriving in Tokyo Bay and remaining there during the signing of the formal Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri on September 2nd.
Even though the end of the war arrived, this did not see the end of Mississippi’s career, as on September 6th the ship steamed towards Norfolk for a new chapter of its life. Arriving on November 27th, the ship began the conversion to become an auxiliary ship and was given the number AG-128. Now operating out of Norfolk, Mississippi would take part in gunnery testing as well as weapons testing for the RIM-2 Terrier surface-to-air missile system. However, the ship was beginning to show its age and on September 17th, 1956, Mississippi was officially decommissioned in Norfolk after a nearly four-decade long career. After such a long and fruitful career which saw the ship sailing all over the world’s oceans, it was proposed that the ship be converted into a museum for future generations to enjoy in peacetime, however things unfortunately were not meant to be and on November 28th the ship was sold to Bethlehem Steel to be scrapped, finally drawing a close to the Mighty Mississippi’s long service and the vessel that fired history’s final battleship-to-battleship salvo.
Media
- Skins
See also
Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the ship;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
- [Devblog] Winter Extreme: USS Mississippi
- Hickman, Kennedy. "Battleship USS Mississippi (BB-41) in World War II
- Farley, Robert - This World War I Battleship Survived Long Enough to Launch Missiles
- Naval History and Heritage Command - USS Mississippi (BB-41, later AG-128), 1917-1956
| Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. | |
|---|---|
| Gun Destroyers (DD) | |
| Clemson-class | USS Welborn C. Wood · HMS Churchill* |
| Heavy Cruisers (CA) | |
| Des Moines-class | USS Newport News |
| Battleships (BB) | |
| New York-class | USS Texas |
| New Mexico-class | USS Mississippi |
| *USS Herndon in UK service | |
| USA battleships | |
|---|---|
| Delaware-class | USS North Dakota |
| Wyoming-class | USS Wyoming · USS Arkansas |
| New York-class | USS Texas |
| Nevada-class | USS Nevada |
| Pennsylvania-class | USS Arizona |
| New Mexico-class | USS Mississippi |
| Tennessee-class | USS Tennessee |
