#battleship

Dunkerque's history was not filled with epic victories in combat or spectacular achievements; nonetheless, she participated in two major historic events that changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean, making her an important vessel from an historical perspective, even if she did not sink any hostile vessels in anger.

What comes to mind when one thinks of the word "battleship?" For many, it means the strongest vessels in the fleet, with the greatest firepower yes, but also with the greatest armor. Designed to combat enemy capital ships, that of course comes with the certainty that the battleship itself will also come under heavy fire from ships near, or perhaps even beyond its own strength. The continuous search of battleship architects to increase protection within the tonnage that they were given during the Dreadnought arms race led to the USS Nevada. 

Launched on 24 February 1942, launched on 24 April 1913 and completed and entered service on 10 May 1915, the ship only participated in exercises, later to be rebuilt at the Ansaldo Shipyard in Genoa from 1937 until her return to service on 15 July 1940.