Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:42:50-3:43:12

How Lexington and South Dakota strained US dock capacity

The 1920s capital ships approached the limits of existing American docks and support capacity, requiring additional infrastructure as part of the program.

Capital ShipsDry DocksLexington Class BattlecruisersNaval InfrastructureSouth Dakota Class Battleships (1920)US Navy
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Question

Were Lexington and the 1920 South Dakota class reaching the limits of US dockyards?

Short answer

Yes, especially in support capacity, although the United States planned to build additional facilities.

Notes

Lexington and the 1920 South Dakota class approached the dimensions that existing American dry docks and support facilities could handle. Building the hull does not solve the problem because fleets need suitable maintenance and repair capacity on the coast where the ship will operate. The United States planned to add facilities and possessed the industrial power to do so. That dockyard expansion nevertheless belongs in the true cost and schedule of the capital-ship program.