USS Colorado - Guide 242 

Pinned post for Q&A :)

“Good morning, fellow ships. God has let me live another day, and I’m gonna make it everyone’s problem.” -USS Colorado at the Fleet Problems

Washington Naval Treaty: Exists USS Washington: *I'll be back.*

I've read gunner's mates' writings about how accurate the 5" 51s were. I remember one was something like, "Inside 8,000 yards it's not if I'm going to hit it, it's where do you want me to hit it?" I thought that was cool. They were definitely serious weapons.

The US Navy be like: you getting an aa gun, you getting an aa gun, everyone gets an aa gun

Interestingly: Both Colorado and Maryland ended WWII with the old cage-lattice masts. All other surviving standard-types had either replaced them with tripod pole masts in the interwar period, or had been rebuilt with modern superstructures similar to the new fast battleships

"...increase in her antiaircraft armament from 4 guns to 8..." I'd say those numbers feel unnaturally small for a US battleship, but they hadn't really gotten into the swing of the "bolt AA guns anywhere you can find space for them" thing yet. By the late war they'd have been welding them to the keel if someone hadn't pointed out the lack of submersible aircraft in the IJN and the difficulties of manning an gun in scuba gear.

My grandfather served on her from 39 to 45 as one of the head mechanics in the engine room. I've always wanted to learn more about the ship or find any photos of him in the ship.

wow, the Colorado really has a beautiful ship profile.

"at the head of the fleet" confused World of Warship players: "holy crap, that was a very slow fleet"

I used to see a retired Master Chief at the Navy Commissary at Naval Station Great Lakes. We often chatted as I am a Missouri sailor. He had a pen made from a piece of teak from the deck of Colorado as he was part of the WWII crew. He spoke warmly of his time aboard Colorado.

I never tire of these ship guides

Colorado class has got to be one of the most diverse class of battleships of the us navy, almost like the queen elizabeths

Drachinifel: Colorado would often be found in prestigious positions at or near the head of the fleet... Me (land locked Coloradan): [Colorado Pride Intensifies]

OMG, think I saw a quick glance of my father in your video of the Colorado. He told of several stories of getting hit sooo many times and passed away a few years ago giving me many pictures of the ship.

I know it’s not what you normally cover but I have a video suggestion that would be really cool to see. On the night of June 21st 1942, the Japanese submarine I-25 surfaced in the Columbia river and took aim at the Oregon fort known as Fort Stevens, and the Washington forts known as Fort Canby and Fort Columbia. I-25 fired many shells at them, but the forts did not return fire. Although none of the forts received any damage, the Fort Stevens shelling (as it’s known) marked the only time that a military base in the contiguous United States was attacked by the Axis Powers during World War II. I think it would make an amazing video. Maybe in the video you could go in depth to the whole event and the forts too. Anyways, keep up the good work!

Usually I don't comment on anyone's video but your content is superb so I am commenting on your video. Wow this video is fantastic. Every line is a point. Your channel deserve more subscriber. I regularly watch your videos from 2 years. As a old subscriber I want a help from you that please make a video on skanderbeg because I realised that only you can describe it nicely. As I know you from the old days, I think you will definitely make a video on this topic

That photo of the Colorado in NYC, what a great photo! It almost makes me want to write a time travel story that begins on the Staten Island Ferry.

1:42 that is a very, very handsome ship!

The sad end of most good ship's stories: ...she was sent to the breakers/scrapyards

USS Colorado is now SSN-788, a Virginia-class attack submarine commissioned on 17 March 2018 according to Wikipedia.

A 5 min guide that's under 10 min? Impossible

My dad was gun captain on Number 1 turret from start of war till a mid war transfer. Attended ships reunions etc. He was a 20 year veteran of Navy. Always said his best years were on the Colorado. The alumni have a great website if you want more info. I believe she still holds the record of firing more tonnage at the enemy than any other ship. Unfortunately dad passed before the advent of all of this information on the internet! Thanks for a great video

I must make a mild objection to the characterization of the 5"/25 gun as "single purpose AA". In fact, the 5"/25 was used many times as a surface to surface weapon during those fleet probllems, often with impressive results in terms of accuracy. While the short barrel compared to the 5"/51 gun did result in a lower muzzle velocity, many gunnery officers thought of the 5"/25 as a DP weapon, and they were used as such by the older light and heavy cruisers as well as the BB's during WWII. They were the "heavy" gun on all the later US subs, and this AA gun sunk tens of thousands of tons of Japanese shipping on the surface. They were even used for shore bombardment of Japanese island bases, and at least a couple of them got their licks in doing shore bombardment on the Home Islands. I won't argue that the 5"/25 was desisgned as a DP gun, but WWII showed that it was still quite useful in that role.

Some tid-bits from Battleship Colorado have made their way onto USS Colorado SSN-788. Also, YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! My state's battleship finally got her video.

The US Navy expressed some regret that *Colorado* or a *New Mexico* class battleship were not retained for shore bombardment duties. Basically, the battleships were being used as blue water monitors in Korea and Vietnam. The *Iowa* class was very expensive to operate. A *Colorado* or *New Mexico* type ship would have been less than half of the operating cost. Source: Battleships, an Illustrated Design History by Dr. Norman Friedman.

Ah, the colorado, the thicc but hurts a lot, 406mm slinging bb

One of my great uncles was on the Colorado for the entire war. Part of the crew of turret 4.

I used to live next door to an ex-crew member of USS Colorado. He had a bumper sticker on his car which boasted of all the USN battleship records the ship had set: most operations participated in, most shells fired, etc.

Just recently I was along the St. Lawrence in New York and had a great conversation with a vet who served on her as a helmsman. Thanks for another great video.

Here are the lists of American Battleships that weren’t present at battleship row at Pearl Harbor during the December 7th 1941 Attacks. • USS Colorado BB-45 • USS New Mexico BB-40 • USS Mississipi BB-41 • USS Idaho BB-42 Which also Includes the New York Class battleships. That weren’t present at battleship row.

She earned a very good reputation with the Marines for her willingness to close to point blank range with Japanese shore batteries. Catching Hell and delivering same.

Excellent and on point as usual Drach. Poor old Colorado, not the prettiest lady at the ball but the dependable one you could count on being there when you needed her.

IIRC, her bell is preserved in Colorado Springs.

I genuantly enjoyed Colorado in WoWs

It's amazing how inadequate the AA armament was on so many ships at the early stages of WWII compared to their bristling like a agitated porcupine by wars end.

The bow on the Colorado in the opening picture looks badass.

When I play Colorado in wows I always thought I am full speed ahead when it's just wind blowing against the oversized hull.

This type of '5 Minute Guide', the ones concerning WW2-Era USN ships, make me sad. They tell the stories of fighting ships. Ships where our grandparents served, fought, suffered and died. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that Grandpop survived the war. What saddens me is that the guides mostly end the same way. "Scrapped".

USS 680 USS Melvin one of the highest decorated destroyers of WW2. She was the only destroyer of the war to sink a Japanese battleship Fusa. I think you can get a good story from this ship. Please consider her.

Yeah ... me and 2 of my war gaming buddies played a scenario with Great Naval Battles en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Naval_Battles where the US had the 3 Colorado's and a Pennsylvania - and the Germans had the two Bismarcks and the Scharnhorsts. I don't remember the cruisers. The problem for the Germans was that Tirpitz took a steering hit early on - and they had to either abandon her to use their speed advantage or hang with her and tough it out. The 16" guns really made a lot of difference. .

Wouldve been interesting to see a Colorada and a Nagato go at it.

This will always be my Favorite US Battleship class.

Thanks Drach. Fine, I will get back on her in World of Warships one more time. Great vid.

I think that you forgot to mention that the ships' mainmast was initially cut down in size, (similar to what was done to Maryland) before it was eventually replaced by a low prefabricated tower later in the war.

One of the most underrated classes.

Maybe we could get USS Maryland review and fill out the Colorado trio?

The Colorado class, like all American battleships had a top speed of 21 knots, though they could be pushed a bit faster. US Navy doctrine wasn't about speed, protection and gun power was more important. What good did it do you to get to point "A" first if you couldn't hold that point? Which is the very definition of naval power; the ability to control an area of ocean against your enemies. The Colorado would have made short work of the Bismark at long range with her 2550 pond shells, while still being protected against the Bismark's puny 15in shells. While slower then the Queen Elizabeth class by a mere two knots, bigger guns, better torpedo and deck protection, and a longer range meant the Colorados were the superior ship.

looks so damn cool

She lost 43 men off Tinian, ought to have been mentioned.

The crew were blessed.......they kept the bird cage masts, plenty of storage for chickens!!

I have a real soft spot for the Colorado after they removed the main mast ascetically. WeeVee was more functional but I have to say I like the original forward superstructure with the bare stub of the HD cage mast poking out of the time.

That bow is very pretty

A shame none of the Colorado class survived as museums.

I like how she's smol in KanColle.

I think the USS Colorado and the USS Northampton are the coolest looking ship designs.

You forgot to mention that she also ran aground off the coasts if Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on 1 May 1927.

Been Waiting for this one for a Long time. Hello From Colorado Drach! Keep up the good work

I love the dry land copy made in Colorado of the early 2 masted version

being a Colorado native I approve of this ! ! !

Another great video, right from the beginning till the end. Thanks for all your hard work and to making these for us to see and enjoy. Another A+.

Drach, any chance you can do a video on the USS Frankin? Be interested in a longer, more indepth story of her damage and her fight for her survival.

Thank you, Drachinifel.

The big five so incredible

Is it just my imagination or do the standard battleships with the clipper bow have a lower bow? It always looks like they're diving into a trough.

The Colorado class has provided hours of entertainment speculating on alternate treatments of the class. Drac didn't really note it, but the Colorados were a 1916 design. Maryland was laid down only days after the US entered WWI, but the other three were delayed until after the war, being laid down in 1919-20. This delay had the result of three of the class still building at the time of the WNT. West Virginia and Colorado were completed, in exchange for the two Delawares being scrapped/demilitarized, while Washington was used for target practice. One alternate scenario: the USN takes the same path as the Admiralty in cancelling outright the Colorados, for the same reasons the Admiralty cancelled their 1914 BB program. The same decision would also result in Tennessee never being laid down, and possibly California, on which little progress had been made, being cut up on the slipway to clear it for higher priority ships. Where would that leave the USN in 1922? None of the Tennessees or Colorados ever completed, and all the postwar South Dakotas and Lexingtons exceed treaty limits. Another avenue of inquiry is how could the Washington have been saved? It appears that the money spent modernizing the Floridas in the 1920s, equaled or exceeded the money it would have cost to complete Washington. So the US completes Washington, and scraps the two Floridas. If the UK complains, give them a license to build a third Nelson, but, as the RN is still well over it's tonnage limit, building another Nelson would require two Iron Dukes be scrapped. Similarly, if the Japanese demanded to be allowed to build another Nagato, they would have to scrap a Fuso or Kongo to make the tonnage available, so, net, they would gain little for all the money spent.

Great video as always Drach!

A new five minute guide thanks for it drach.

Can you cover the USS New Mexico? I think you'll get a kick out of her career.

Decommissioned ships sometimes have remnants given over to their eponymous entities to be put on display. I think it would be a nice touch if that information was included in the final disposition of the ship.

This channel never disappoints!

In 1937 the Captain of the USS Colorado conducted an extremely poor flyover search for Amelia Earhart at Gardner Island. Even though three signal towers triangulated her transmission to be from that island, leaving little doubt she was there and in desperate need of immediate rescue as there was no water source on the island. I don't know who the Captain was at the time but he is a disgrace. He very likely could have saved her. Instead she was eaten by crabs. ..

I was just thinking "I hope Drach makes a Colorado video soon."

First time I've been this early, love your vids drach!

I have this cool lamp my great grampa made out of 5 inch shell he was n USS North Dakota

Colorado watched from Colorado

Poor Colorado :( she deserved better than neglect and scrapping

USS Shenadoah AD 26. Thanks

Interesting bow design.

Thank you, a nice summary of Colorado's ~70-year life.

I have the Colorado in world of warships and I love her. Great video love learning about these great beasts keep it up

Nice, here in CO.

Glad to hear at least one US ship had a better wartime experience.

literally just got done with a match in the Colorado in World of Warships. Neat.

During a practice exercise for the invasion of Saipan the Colorado got hung up on an uncharted shoal off Kahoolawe in the Hawiian Islands. They had to wait until high tide to successfully move her off of it.

Colorado class might be slow but in a good position there guns do come in handy, shame getting into such position was hard for them unless it was an ambush or to shore bombard.

Smolorado

Any chance for a vid on the USS Maryland itself? You have to Co and the WVa already. Maryland is my homestate, and it would be awesome . Thanks mate. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

USS Colorado vs HMS Rodney, one-on-one, BB vs BB. Who wins?

Another excellent Warship Guide. Thanks Drach!

i wish the kept at least one of this style of battleship,

When the Colorado was involved in the bombardment of Tinian why was she cruising within range of the shore battery 155mm guns? Why didn't she stand out of range of the shore batteries and destroy them with her 16" main guns which have a much longer range,?

Love your channel. I really appreciate how you make history fun. As a former history teacher. I know this is not as easy as some people might think. I also love your sense of humor. How about a video on the USS Jimmy Carter. The only current ship in the US Navy named after a US President that is not an aircraft carrier. Which is particular as President Carter graduated from the US Naval Academy.

there's always that one ship, perennially in need of a refit and never to receive it

I've never heard someone pronounce it the-at-tre before, it gets me every time

Thanks for another get episode …!

You'd think that the state of Colorado would somehow try to save her by providing docking space for a ........oh I see nevermind.

Surprised she wasn't used for the endless cruiser battles in the Solomon's. Have you done a segment on the dazzle paint jobs ? I love the look they had !

Her sister, the West Virginia, tore up those Japanese BBs at Surigao Strait. I believe her other sister, the Maryland, never properlay acquired a target and ranged on her sister's shell splashes visually instead. Fire control radar the Old Ladies like Colorado had could use shell splashes to find range with no problems.

Looking for that “pinned post“?