USS Michigan (BB-27), a South Carolina-class battleship, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the 26th state. She was the second member of her class, the first dreadnought battleships built for the US Navy. She was laid down in December 1906, launched in May 1908, and commissioned into the fleet 4 January 1910. Michigan and South Carolina were armed with a main battery of eight 12-inch (305Â mm) guns in superfiring twin gun turrets; they were the first dreadnoughts to feature this arrangement.
USS Michigan (BB-27) in 1912
Michigan dressed with flags for a Naval Review off New York in October 1911
Michigan's collapsed cage mast, January 1918
Michigan steaming at high speed, c. 1918
South Carolina-class battleship
Two South Carolina-class battleships, also known as the Michigan class, were built for the United States Navy in the early twentieth century. Named South Carolina and Michigan, they were the first American dreadnoughts—powerful warships whose capabilities far outstripped those of the world's older battleships.
Michigan at a naval review off New York City, October 1912
The South Carolina design began in the United States' previous pre-dreadnought battleships, such as the preceding Connecticut class (New Hampshire pictured)
A 12-inch (305 mm)/45 caliber Mark 5 gun on Connecticut; the same guns were used on the South Carolinas
Michigan dressed with flags for a naval review off New York, 3 October 1911
