Tech & Auto
Ranking The 10 Most Legendary Ships Of World War II
By LUKE MITCHELL
10. USS Indianapolis
The Portland-class USS Indianapolis played an essential role in the outcome of World War II, being the ship that delivered components for the atomic bombs.
As the flagship of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, the Indianapolis was also involved in many significant Pacific theater conflicts, including Iwo Jima, before it was sunk on July 30, 1945.
9. Prince of Wales
The HMS Prince of Wales was a King George V-class battleship and the most advanced in the British fleet, with the latest rangefinder and radar technology.
The Prince of Wales was used in the European theater until it was sent to Singapore. Despite its superior technology and firepower, the Japanese destroyed the ship in 1941.
8. USS Missouri
The Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri, or Mighty Mo, is one of the most famous battleships still afloat and one of the most modern to serve in World War II.
The Missouri served in the Pacific theater in the assault on Iwo Jima and the Japanese islands before arriving in Tokyo Bay, where it hosted the signing of the Japanese surrender.
7. Tirpitz
The German Bismarck-class Tirpitz was a behemoth and a scourge of the Atlantic theater of war, surviving multiple Allied attacks, including a few direct hits.
In addition to its thick armor, the Tirpitz was heavily armed and capable of severe damage. After many attempts, the ship was finally sunk by RAF bombers on November 12, 1944.
6. USS Enterprise
Dubbed the Big E for its considerable size and formidable reputation, the USS Enterprise CV-6 was the seventh Enterprise in a long lineage dating back to 1775.
The Enterprise was the most decorated ship of the war, being present for battles such as Pearl Harbor and Midway. Unfortunately, it was decommissioned in 1947 and scrapped by 1960.