USS Kentucky (BB-6)

USS Kentucky (BB-6) was an Illinois-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the United States Navy. She was the second ship of that class, following USS Illinois (BB-7), and predating USS Alabama (BB-8). Kentucky was authorized on 10 June 1896, laid down on 30 June 1897 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company of Newport News, Virginia, launched on 24 March 1898, and commissioned on 15 May 1900.

The Kentucky-class battleships were designed with a relatively low freeboard, making them prone to shipping water in heavy seas. They were armed with four 13-inch (330 mm) guns in two twin turrets, fourteen 6-inch (152 mm) guns, and sixteen 6-pounder (57 mm) guns for defense against torpedo boats.

Kentucky served in the Far East after her commissioning, participating in operations related to the Boxer Rebellion and maintaining a presence in the region. She was later modernized with improved fire control systems.

Throughout her career, USS Kentucky performed routine fleet exercises and training cruises. She was involved in various deployments, including service during World War I where she primarily trained sailors. She did not see combat in either the Spanish-American War or World War I.

Decommissioned on 29 May 1920, USS Kentucky was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1923. In 1924, she was sold for scrap. Her armoring was notably used for the construction of the battleship USS Kentucky (BB-66), though this second ship was never completed.