Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:35:55-4:39:01

Naming the next US battleship class after the 1920 South Dakotas

With South Dakota, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Iowa, and Massachusetts already assigned, Alabama is the likeliest lead name for the next battleship class.

AlabamaBattleshipsShip NamingSouth Dakota Class Battleships (1920)US Navy
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

If the 1920 South Dakota class had been built, what name would likely lead the next US battleship class?

Short answer

Alabama is the most likely next lead name after accounting for the states already assigned to the 1920 ships.

Notes

The next class name would depend on the state names already assigned, together with precedence and politics. The planned 1920 South Dakotas included South Dakota, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Iowa, and Massachusetts. An initial suggestion of Indiana is corrected when its place in that list is noticed. Alabama is then selected as the likely next available lead name.