USS Connecticut (BB-18) was one of the most advanced pre-dreadnought battleships of her time, designed to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s battle fleet. Although her career was relatively short due to the rapid evolution of naval technology, she played an important role in training sailors, projecting American naval power, and participating in key diplomatic missions.
You can get our paid model from here. Model file pack is +50mb uncompressed and includes over 70 separate high poly STL files that will enable you to print the Connecticut by using a standard 3d printer with 22x22cm print bed. Many accesories such as torpedo launchers, weapons systems, row and powered dinghies are also included in the pack which can be used in builder’s willl to create more novel setups. The hull interior is empty for RC projects. You can continue reading for more information, renderings and also a free STL for a display model USS Connecticut.
Design and Capabilities
As the lead ship of the Connecticut-class, she incorporated lessons learned from earlier battleship designs. She was heavily armed with a mixed-caliber armament, including four 12-inch (305 mm) main guns mounted in two twin turrets, one forward and one aft. These large guns were intended for long-range engagements, while her 8-inch (203 mm) and 7-inch (178 mm) secondary batteries provided additional firepower against smaller ships. Unlike later all-big-gun dreadnoughts, pre-dreadnoughts like Connecticut relied on this combination of different-caliber weapons, but this approach soon became outdated.
Her armor protection was strong for her era, with a belt thickness of up to 11 inches (280 mm), offering good resistance against enemy shells. However, like all pre-dreadnoughts, she lacked the speed and firepower that later battleships would develop. Powered by coal-fired triple-expansion steam engines, she could reach speeds of 18 knots (33 km/h), making her fast enough for fleet maneuvers but slower than later dreadnoughts.
The Great White Fleet (1907–1909)
USS Connecticut is best known for serving as the flagship of the Great White Fleet, a 16-battleship squadron that undertook a world tour from 1907 to 1909. Ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt, this voyage was a massive show of force, meant to demonstrate the United States’ growing naval power and its ability to operate globally.
The fleet, painted white with gold trim to symbolize peace and strength, visited South America, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, and Europe before returning to the U.S.
During the fleet’s journey, Connecticut led the squadron through tense diplomatic encounters, particularly with Japan, which had growing tensions with the U.S. over Pacific influence. The goodwill visit helped ease tensions temporarily, and the fleet was warmly received in many ports. The voyage also tested the Navy’s ability to sustain a fleet far from home, leading to improved logistical planning for future naval operations.
Service in World War I (1917–1919)
By the time the United States entered World War I in 1917, Connecticut was already considered obsolete due to the rise of dreadnought battleships. Instead of frontline combat duty, she was assigned to training operations, helping prepare thousands of new sailors for wartime service. Her large size and steady handling made her well-suited for this role.
After the war ended in November 1918, Connecticut was repurposed for troop transport duties as part of the Navy’s effort to bring American soldiers home from Europe. This operation, known as the “Cruise of the Battleships,” saw several older battleships converted into temporary troopships. Connecticut completed multiple transatlantic voyages, safely returning thousands of soldiers to the U.S.
Decommissioning and Fate
Despite her distinguished service, Connecticut was decommissioned on March 1, 1923, and scrapped later that year under the Washington Naval Treaty, which aimed to prevent an arms race by limiting battleship construction. The treaty required the U.S. to reduce the size of its fleet, and older ships like Connecticut were among the first to be retired.
Although she never saw combat in a major battle, Connecticut was a symbol of America’s emergence as a naval power. She played a vital role in the transition from pre-dreadnoughts to the modern battleships that would dominate naval warfare in the coming decades.
You can get our paid model from here. Model file pack is +50mb uncompressed and includes over 70 separate high poly STL files that will enable you to print the Connecticut by using a standard 3d printer with 22x22cm print bed. Many accesories such as torpedo launchers, cannons, gatling guns, row and powered dinghies are also included in the pack which can be used to create unique builds. The hull interior is empty for RC conversion projects. A free STL file for a display model USS Connecticut is below. Enjoy and please share the link of this page at your social media. Share buttons are at the side of the website. Thanks.
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