Relationship to Titanic disaster / inquiries.
Tests were run on the United States battleships Delaware and North Dakota to determine their time to react to a full astern command while the vessels were going forward at 21 knots.
Data:
November 11, 1907
Keel laid.
February 6, 1909
Launched by Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Mrs. A. P. Cahall, niece of the Governor of Delaware.
April 4, 1910
Commissioned.
After visiting Wilmington, Del., from 3 to 9 October 1910, to receive a gift of a silver service from the state, Delaware sailed from Hampton Roads 1 November with the First Division, Atlantic Fleet, to visit Weymouth, England, and Cherbourg, France, and after battle practice at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, returned to Norfolk 18 January 1911. She departed 31 January to carry the remains of Chilean Minister Cruz to Valparaiso, sailing by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Punta Arenas, Chile. Returning to New York 5 May, she sailed 4 June for Portsmouth, England, where from 19 to 28 June she took part in the fleet review accompanying the coronation of King George V.
In her operations with the Fleet from 1912 to 1917, Delaware joined in exercises, drills, and torpedo practice at Rockport and Provincetown, Mass.; engaged in special experimental firing and target practice at Lynnhaven Roads; trained in Cuban waters participating in fleet exercises; and provided summer training for midshipmen. She passed before President Taft and the Secretary of the Navy in the Naval Review of 14 October 1912 and the next year visited Villefranche, France, while on a cruise with battleships Wyoming (BB-32) and Utah (BB-31). In 1914 and again in 1916 she cruised off Vera Cruz to protect American lives and property during the political disturbances in Mexico.
With the outbreak of World War I in Europe, Delaware returned to Hampton Roads from winter maneuvers in the Caribbean to train armed guard crews and engineers, as well as join in exercises to ready the Fleet for war. On 25 November 1917 she sailed from Lynnhaven Roads with Division 9, bound for Scapa Flow, Scotland. After battling bad weather in the North Atlantic, she joined the 6th Battle Squadron, British Grand Fleet 14 December for exercises to coordinate the operations of the Allied force.
February 8, 1918
While escorting a large group of merchant ships headed to Norway Delaware was twice attacked by submarine. Skillful handling and maneuvering enabled the battleship to evade both attacks.
November 12, 1918
Entered Boston Navy Yard for an overhaul.
August 30, 1923
Delaware entered Norfolk Navy Yard and her crew was transferred to the newly commissioned Colorado (BB-45), Delaware's replacement in the Fleet. Moving to Boston Navy Yard in September, she was stripped of warlike equipment.
November 10, 1923
Decomissioned and stricken from the Navy register.
February 5, 1924
Sold Boston Iron & Metal Co. Baltimore, Maryland and scrapped.
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