Table of Contents

Chapter I:
The First USS West Virginia

Chapter II:
Launching a Battleship

Chapter III:
1930s

Chapter IV:
Crossing the Equator

Chapter V:
Pearl Harbor

Chapter VI:
Salvage

Chapter VII:
The Fighting Wee-Vee

Chapter VIII:
End of the Line

An Exhibit of Artifacts

In December 2000, a large collection of materials relating to the battleship USS West Virginia was donated to the West Virginia State Museum by Mr. Clyde Lathey, who founded the Battleship USS West Virginia BB-48 Museum in Parkersburg. Documents and photographs that had been collected by Lathey from individuals who served aboard the battleship were transferred to Archives and History. This on-line exhibit utilizes these documents to relate the compelling history of the ship and the men who served aboard her.

Governor Bob Wise proclaimed December 7, 2001, as U.S.S. West Virginia (BB48) Day. Click here to read the proclamation.