The video separates North Dakota's impressive trials figures from the durability of her first-generation turbine installation. When American leaders considered sending ships to the European war zone, her original machinery was judged too unreliable. A 1917 refit replaced it with geared turbines and added new fire-control equipment. The upgrade turned experimental promise into a more dependable wartime configuration and explains why a successful new technology could still demand early replacement. North Dakota's performance justified improving turbines even though the original machinery had serious faults.
Notable Point · 6:16-6:54
A strong turbine ship with unreliable machinery
North Dakota's early turbines performed well but were unreliable enough to keep her from the initial wartime deployment, until a 1917 refit installed geared turbines and new fire control.