Originally posted by DiabloTX
Hey guys, "built" and "commissioned" are 2 entirely different things.
Construction dates are meaningless.
Which is why the Long Island WAS first.
Here's an example: What was the first all big-gun battleship? Well, we know it was the HMS Dreadnaught. But if we use Rafe35's logic, it was the USS South Carolina. The American battleship was designed and approved with initial construction beginning before Dreadnaught, but was commissioned later. In fact, being acutely aware that the American's had a significant head start, Dreadnaught's design was rushed through approval and construction hastened. She was launched as soon as the hull was considered watertight.
For dating warships the rules have always been "date of commissioning". Until then, it is not in service, and service dates are what count.
That is why HMS Dreadnaught was considered the first modern era battleship and set the name for all future battleships as "dreadnaughts".
Ironically, although the Brits rushed the HMS Dreadnaught to commissioning, the South Carolina proved to be a considerably better design. With superimposed main turrets and a better armor arrangement, South Carolina and her sister Michigan were a bit smaller, yet considerably more formidable than Dreadnaught in terms of fire power and the ability to keep shells out.
As it is, Audacity was the first to begin construction, but the Long Island was the first to complete construction and be commissioned. And that gentlemen, is what determines which is first.
My regards,
Widewing
