USS Oklahoma BB-37 Modernizations

U.S.S. OKLAHOMA MODERNIZATIONS

As a result of the Washington Naval Arms Limitation Treaty of 1922 every battleship built in the world after 1918 was modernized.The Oklahoma was no exception to a major modernization.

1927-1929
From 16 September 1927 to 15 July 1929, the Oklahoma was rebuilt at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Anti-torpedo blisters were added to the hull. The oil fired boilers were upgraded with replacements, but the reciprocating engines were not replaced nor upgraded. The two 21 inch submerged torpedo tubes were removed. All of superstructure above the main deck was removed except for the four 14 inch main turrets and the conning tower. This included the cage masts, the bridge, the funnel, and all the fire control systems. The cage masts were replaced with tripods. A new tower bridge was constructed. 5 inch fire control directors were superinposed above the main battery directors on top of both masts. A shortened funnel was built with four searchlights grouped around it. The Mark 7 single purpose 5 inch/51 guns were removed from the side of the hull, below the main deck, and the gun ports plated over. They were replaced with eight Mark 10 5 inch/25 dual purpose antiaircraft guns that were added on top of a new deckhouse at the 01 level. Eight 50 calibre machine guns were added, four each on top of the foremast and the mainmast. Compressed air Mark I catapults were also added.

1941
During the February 1941 Puget Sound refit additional changes were made. The antiaircraft directors and range finders were consolidated into a station at the aft end of the range finder platform. Four locally controled 3 inch/50 guns were added. The existing Mark 10 dual purpose 5 inch/25 batteries were provided with splinter protection. The four 36 inch searchlights were relocated from the funnel to the mainmast. The 50 calbre machine guns formerly mounted on what became the searchlight platform were moved into a 'bird bath' at the main masthead.

Photographs of USS Oklahoma, taken prior to the outbreak of war with Japan.
(Click on any thumbnail for larger view)

Starboard Bow underway for builders trial, January 15 1916, prior to commissioning. When commissioned Oklahoma (BB-37) displaced 27,500 tons; was 583' in length; had a beam of 95'3"; drew 28'6" of water; could make 20.5 knots of speed; was manned by 864 officers and men; and was armed with ten Mark 1 14 inch/45 guns, twenty-one Mark 7 5 inch/51 guns and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. NARA #19-N-5-28-18

Line drawings of USS Nevada sistership of the USS Oklahoma, 1920

In Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, circa 1919, with a "kite" balloon, used for over the horizon search and spotting, moored to her after deck. Note the seven 5 inch/51 recessed gun ports amidship and aft have their gun port shutters droped. Also note the 5 inch/51 gun opening in stern that was later sealed over because of wet conditions. NH 45440

At Guantanomo Bay, Cuba, circa 1920. This photo shows the state of US capital ship gunnery at the end of World War I. Turret 2 shows the deflection marks painted on all of her turrets to show their angle of train, also there is a range clock above the bridge to indicate the range at which she was firing, both innovations intended to permit her to pass on target information to other ships in the line which might be unable to see the same target. She carries range finders both atop her bridge and in her superfiring turrets (the latter is the small 'ear' near the turret face). There are searchlight platforms installed on both the cage foremast and mainmast, and both cage masts carry a 'top' for spotters.
The open mounts in her hull carry 5 inch/51 antidestroyer guns, another of which is below the barrels of the turret 2 14 inch/50. Abaft of the upper 5 inch open mount is a 3 inch/50 antiaircraft gun and then a pair of saluting guns.
A Sopwith Strutter, a non recoverable spotter plane is being hoisted onto her flying-off platform. The airplane, at the time, represented the latest means of extending the range of shipboard gun fire beyond the horizon. US Navy photo

Undergoing modernization at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, circa 1928. Installation of her new tripod masts is well along, but the rest of her superstructure must still be fitted. NH 74634

At Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 19 August 1929, completing modernization. Anti-torpedo blisters have been added to the hull. The cage masts have been replaced with tripods. A new tower bridge constructed. 5 inch fire control directors superinposed above the main battery directors on top of both masts. The 5 inch guns have been relocated from the side of the hull, below the main deck, up to the 01 level.

Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 21 August 1929, following modernization. NH 50137. Oklahoma was modernized in 1927-30, exchanging her "basket" masts for tripods. The update work also included the installation of a new superstructure, relocation of her five-inch secondary battery, new anti-aircraft guns and significant improvements to her firepower and protection. She then returned to duty with the U.S. Battle Fleet, mainly operating in the Pacific over the next eleven years.

This and the following photo are the USS Nevada BB-36, sister ship of the USS Oklahoma BB-37. Both photos taken at Puget Sound Navy Yard in September 1934. Note the 20 foot anti-aircraft range finder on the foremast platform above the bridge. The director proper was located one level down at the rear end othe range finder platform. The three-level masthead tops carried, from the top down, a Mark 20 main battery director, a platform for main battery control and spotting, and thirdly a platform for two secondary battery directors. At the top of the main mast is a 'bird bath' used by the 50 calbre machine guns. The lower mainmast platform carried a 12 foot range finder for the secondary battery. The large oval openings just below the flag rack are the air intakes leading into ducts installed as part of the 1927-1930 moderization. US Navy Photo.

USS Nevada BB-36, sister ship of USS Oklahoma BB-37. Photo taken at Puget Sound Navy Yard in September 1934. Note the searchlight platforms on the funnel, the range clock, the machine gun 'bird bath' at the top of the main mast, and the relocated 5 inch guns on the 01 level. US Navy Photo.

Late 1930's image showing details. Long Beach CA.

Photographed circa 1940, with Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation seaplanes on her catapults. NH 77076

View after her last refit at Puget Sound Navy Yard. February, 1941. The anti-aircraft directors and range finders were consolidated into the large armored box visible at the rear end of the range finder platform. The structure at the base of the foremast leg was a new air defense station. Four locally controlled 3 inch/50 guns were also added. One is visible, in its tub, alongside the conning tower. The existing 5 inch/25 batteries were provided with splinter protection. The four 36 inch searchlights were relocated from the funnel to the mainmast, and the 50 calbre machine guns formerly mounted on what became the searchlight platform were moved up into a 'bird bath' at the main masthead. The 24 inch searchlights on the signal bridge had to be relocated to clear the kingpost support for the new Mark 19 5 inch secondary battery director.