The USS Nevada (BB-36) was the lead ship of the Nevada-class battleships, representing a significant advancement in American naval design when launched in 1914. As a dreadnought, she incorporated four pioneering features that influenced subsequent US battleships: triple gun turrets, oil-fired boilers replacing coal, geared steam turbines for improved range, and the "all or nothing" armor scheme. These innovations positioned Nevada as a "standard-type" battleship, with a displacement nearly three times that of earlier pre-dreadnoughts, and she was notably larger than her contemporaries. Constructed by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company, her keel was laid in November 1912, and she was launched in July 1914. Nevada's construction included a combination of state-of-the-art armament and armor, with her main guns mounted in three triple turrets. She was commissioned in March 1916 and initially served with the Atlantic Fleet, conducting training cruises and patrols before the US entered World War I. During the latter part of WWI, Nevada was stationed in Bantry Bay, Ireland, to escort convoys. Nevada’s most notable wartime event occurred during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was the only battleship to get underway during the surprise attack, making her a symbol of resilience. She was hit by a torpedo and at least six bombs, which forced her to be beached on a coral ledge to prevent sinking. Despite extensive damage and loss of life, Nevada was salvaged, repaired, and modernized, serving as a convoy escort and fire-support ship in key battles including Attu, Normandy, Southern France, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Post-war, Nevada was used as a target for atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946, where she was struck by atomic bombs during Operation Crossroads. She survived the blasts but was heavily damaged and radioactive, leading to her decommissioning in August 1946. She was ultimately sunk for target practice in 1948. Her wreck was rediscovered in 2020 at a depth of over 15,000 feet off Hawaii, lying upside down with scars from her wartime service still evident, symbolizing her role in naval history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.