Q&A ยท 3:57:33-3:58:16

Would Hood have received a West Virginia-style rebuild?

Hood's different damage and continuing value as a fast capital ship would have produced a repair program unlike West Virginia's reconstruction.

Question

How would a heavily battle-damaged Hood reaching Norfolk on 1 July 1941 be rebuilt, and would she resemble the rebuilt West Virginia?

Short answer

Her different damage and continuing role as a fast unit would require modifications unlike West Virginia's survivability-focused reconstruction.

Notes

Hood's rebuilding would depend on her damage and the need to preserve her role as a fast unit. A heavily damaged Hood reaching Norfolk on 1 July 1941 would probably have different repair needs from West Virginia. West Virginia's reconstruction improved survivability without helping speed. Preserving Hood's speed would therefore require a different set of modifications.