Sort of like white phosphorous but not real.

Tirpitz

Zuiho

Roma

Shinano

Fuso

HMS Lollipop...

She was a good ship...

Old Ordie

GMorrison

Old Ordie

Breaking off that attack to rush to the defense of the CVL USS Gambier Bay, the Johnston drove off another heavy cruiser.  She then fought off

Gambier Bay was actually a Casablanca class CVE, as were the other carriers.

You are absolutely correct, sir.  In my day, the little ones (which were much larger than Gambier Bay) were not designated that way, one of the dangers of working from memory a good deal when I write - cross bleeding time periods (aka, just plain befuddlement, LOL!)  CVEs were even punier than CVLs (run, Yamato, run ).

An interesting thing, though, about US Navy designations, especially in aviation, is that they change frequently (carrier and squadron designations).  An example would be, when I was embarked on the Kitty Hawk, she was CVA-63.  When she was decommisioned, many years later (nearly forty, in fact), she was designated CV-63, and had been for some time.  Which should I use when writing about her?

subfixer

Old Ordie

... An interesting thing, though, about US Navy designations, especially in aviation, is that they change frequently (carrier and squadron designations).  An example would be, when I was embarked on the Kitty Hawk, she was CVA-63.  When she was decommisioned, many years later (nearly forty, in fact), she was designated CV-63, and had been for some time.  Which should I use when writing about her?

I was stationed on USS Lexington. When I served on her she was CVT-16. She was also CV-16, CVA-16 and AVT-16. When I have seen it all written out it is USS Lexington CV-16/CVA-16/CVT-16/AVT-16.

Well, that answers that question.  Thanks, subfixer.

Gamera

HMS Lollipop...

She was a good ship...

Yes, she was.  HMS Lollipop, mmmmmm ...

HMM.-- 1-H.M.S. VICTORY

            2-U.S.S.CONSTITUTION

            3-H.M.S. QUEEN ELIZABETH

            4-U.S.S.MAINE/OLYMPIA

            5-D.K.M. SCHARNHORST/BISMARK

This list is matched to my knowledge of warships.All usually follow "logical progression of design" All are significant for their time. Now there are many more and way to many to list in the top five,and,as you can see ,I fudged-sorry !      TANKER-builder

Manstein's revenge

Tirpitz

Zuiho

Roma

Shinano

Fuso

Fuso? Could you elaborate why?

SSBN- 658 Mariano Vallejo. Of the first generation SSBN, my Godfather was the skipper, and she  was the last to patrol, last to off-load her missiles and the last to arrive in Washington making her the last of the "Forty-one for Freedom."

tigerman

Manstein's revenge

Tirpitz

Zuiho

Roma

Shinano

Fuso

Fuso? Could you elaborate why?

These kind of debates are interesting, but so open to .......debate.

By "naval history" does one mean impact on World History????

If so, those fire boats sent against the Spanish Armada are probably tops. Either that or the trireme's sent against the Persian fleet.

While I'd rate Enterprise (WW2--CV-3?) high, but it isn't like Japan would have won the war if she'd been lost. Ditto, Old Ironsides.

I don't see where Iowa class BB can be included since they are basically an evolutionary dead-end. Although, through retro-fitting, they still serve today; Aegis class ships are far superior.

Some good suggestions here. I'm glad the fire ships get mentioned. Iowa class capitol ships were massive vessels, but yes they also marked the end to a long era of battleships. But what a high to end it on. Rating the top five boats in naval history are meant to be on a global scale. Of course, you could device a list of boats coming from one single country. There are no set rules.