About this Unit
The USS Kentucky refers to two notable ships in United States Navy history. The first, USS Kentucky (BB-6), was an Illinois-class battleship commissioned in 1900, serving as the flagship during the Great White Fleet's world cruise and participating in early 20th-century exercises before decommissioning in 1920. The second, USS Kentucky (BB-66), was planned as an Iowa-class battleship, but construction was halted during World War II and she was never completed, ultimately being scrapped in 1958. Both ships reflect significant periods in U.S. naval development, from pre-World War I power projection to the rapid technological changes of World War II. The name USS Kentucky honors the 15th state and symbolizes the Navy's enduring tradition of state-named capital ships.
Historical Facts
•
Two Ships Named USS Kentucky: The name "USS Kentucky" has been assigned to two different U.S. Navy ships: BB-6, a pre-dreadnought battleship, and SSBN-737, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
•
USS Kentucky (BB-6) Commissioned in 1900: The first USS Kentucky (BB-6) was commissioned on 15 May 1900 and served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet and later in the Asiatic Fleet.
•
Great White Fleet Participant: USS Kentucky (BB-6) participated in the historic voyage of the "Great White Fleet," a global demonstration of American naval power between 1907 and 1909.
•
World War I Service: During World War I, USS Kentucky (BB-6) served as a training ship for gunnery and engineering personnel, and later helped transport American troops back from Europe after the war.
•
USS Kentucky (BB-66) Never Completed: A second battleship, USS Kentucky (BB-66), a planned Iowa-class ship, was laid down during World War II but never completed due to changing naval priorities and the war's end.
•
BB-66's Unique Fate: Although never completed, parts of BB-66 were used to repair other Iowa-class battleships, including the bow for the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) after a collision.
•
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) Commissioned in 1991: The second active USS Kentucky is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, commissioned on 13 July 1991.
•
Strategic Deterrence Mission: SSBN-737 plays a critical role in America's strategic nuclear deterrence, carrying Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.
•
Blue and Gold Crews: Like other Ohio-class submarines, USS Kentucky operates with two alternating crews ("Blue" and "Gold") to maximize deployment time.
•
2011 Collision Incident: In October 2011, USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) was involved in a minor underwater collision with a support vessel off the coast of Washington state, but suffered only minor damage.
