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Uss-Sd Sd2.1 U S S S O U T H D A K O T A BATTLESHIP X Schematic Design II January 2014 Battleship South Dakota Memorial Interpretive Objectives: Concept Design Visitors will appreciate USS South Dakota’s contribution to winning the war in the Pacific 01/22/14 Visitors will discover the advances in military technology that contributed to the ship’s success Visitors will consider the various types of leadership that led to success on the ship Background Visitors will learn about Captain Gatch’s role in training and leading the ship’s first crew USS South Dakota was the first of a new class of battleships that found fame in World War II. Her keel was laid in July of 1939; she was launched in June of 1941 and was commissioned in March of 1942. While her Visitors will experience elements of life on a battleship naval career was short, the SoDak was a legend before she had even served her first year and she went on to Visitors will compare the types of weapons used on the ship become the most decorated battleship of World War II for her exploits in the Pacific. Visitors will see the impact of naval treaties on ship design and power Decommissioned in 1947, by 1962 the ship was destined for demolition. When this news reached Sioux Falls, it spawned a local effort to acquire pieces of the battleship to create a memorial. The USS South Visitors will see there was a mutually beneficial relationship between aircraft carriers and battleships Dakota Battleship Memorial opened in September of 1969 to commemorate the battleship and its hearty crew. Visitors will be moved by personal stories and memories from the crew The Memorial was originally built for the ship’s personnel and their families. They were the primary audience and returned for frequent reunion activities in the summer. These men and their descendants Design Objectives: donated many artifacts and personal mementoes from the ship that are now on display. Moving into the 21st century, a period further removed from WW II, the Museum’s Board wants to create an exhibit experience Within the concrete outline of the ship that exists on the grounds of the Memorial, the exhibit building sits that will educate new generations, people less familiar with the war and with USS South Dakota. roughly where the ship’s control tower would be. To extend the theme of creating a “battleship,” the interior of the Memorial will be themed to resemble the interior of a ship with metal elements and colors that Interpretive Summary provide that look and feel. Exhibit and Design Goals: To interpret the history of USS South Dakota for a new generation To recognize the achievements of the most decorated battleship in World War II To honor the contributions and sacrifices of USS South Dakota’s crew To provide a space for family members to remember loved ones who served on the ship To create museum quality storage for the portion of the collection that is not on display To give visitors access to the wide array of photos in the collection BSD Final Concept, 01/22/14 Page 1 Central Rotunda A.1.c Area A: World War II Overview Photo of USS Arizona following the bombing of Pearl Harbor This exhibit area will primarily focus on an overview of the war in the Pacific, the region where USS South Source: Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92500933/ Dakota spent most of its time. A.1 Graphic Text Panel Size: TBD OR A.1.a http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/k13000/k13512.jpg Primary heading and text 79 Words “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” On December 7, 1941, at 7:55 a.m., Japanese warplanes bombed the U.S. fleet A.1.c.1 stationed at Pearl Harbor. A surprise for the American people, it was, indeed, a day Photo caption and credit that would live in infamy. The following afternoon Congress declared war against Japan and soon entered the fight in Europe against Germany and Italy. 31 Words Commissioned on March 20, 1941, USS South Dakota would have a brief shakedown Explosion of the USS Arizona. In about two hours, the Japanese fighters temporarily cruise before heading for the South Pacific. ended the threat from U.S. battleships in the Pacific. They sank eight battleships, although some were later recovered. A.1.b Photo Credit: TBD Newspaper headline Source: Corbis, BSD Final Concept, 01/22/14 Page 2 A.1.d A.2 Map of World War II, December 1941 Reading Rail Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ww2_allied_axis_1941_dec.png Size: TBD A.3 Artifact: German Naval Flag Size: TBD A.4 Artifact: Japanese Flag from the Nagato Size: TBD A.5 Artifact: Fragment of USS Arizona Size: TBD BSD Final Concept, 01/22/14 Page 3 Area B: USS South Dakota Model B.4 The ship model, an artifact from the design and construction of the ship, is a focal point in this room and Banner will be used for various types of interpretation. An artifact label will explain the origin of the model and its relationship to the SoDak’s construction. ID labels on the model will identify major landmarks on the ship. Size: TBD Reading rails around the model will consider the major events the ship participated in. A backdrop of B.4.a hanging banners will provide a visual statement of the ship under construction, in battle, and at the treaty signing. The reverse side of the hanging banners will contain content related to the storyline in this section Photo of ship’s guns firing of the exhibit. Source: TBD B.1 B.5 Suspended banner title panel Banner Size: TBD Size: TBD USS South Dakota: Battleship X B.5.a B.2 Photo of ships entering Tokyo Bay Ship Model covered by Plexiglas bonnet Source: TBD Size: TBD B.6 The model will sit within a sculpted seascape that shows the ship’s wake and ocean Reading Rail environment. Size: TBD B.2.a-? Construction and Launch of the USS South Dakota ID labels for parts of the ship Size and number: TBD B.3 Banner Size: TBD B.3.a Photo of ship construction Source: TBD BSD Final Concept, 01/22/14 Page 4 B.7 B.7.c Reading Rail Photo of torpedo plane and SoDak Size: 15” h x 6’ w Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/015730.jpg B.7.a Primary heading and text Source: Stillwell, Paul. The USS South Dakota., p. 7–8., http://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=USS-South-Dakota-BB57 36 words B.7.c.1 “Attack—Repeat—Attack” Photo caption and credit In mid-October 1942 the Japanese renewed their efforts to recapture Guadalcanal and 12 Words Henderson airfield. Task Force 61, which included the aircraft carrier Enterprise and its protector, USS South Dakota, intended to stop the Japanese. While a Japanese Kate bomber attacks, the SoDak’s anti-aircraft guns blaze away. B.7.b Credit: Naval Historical Society, #80-G-30054 Secondary heading and text B.7.d Source: Stillwell, Paul. The USS South Dakota., p. 7–8. Photo of sailors celebrating downed planes after Santa Cruz 73 words Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/015707l.jpg Battle of Santa Cruz Islands Vice Admiral William F. Halsey’s attack order on October 25 set in motion the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, an event that would seal the SoDak’s fame. Beginning at 11:12 a.m., three waves of Japanese dive bombers and torpedo planes set their sights on the Task Force. In just over an hour the SoDak saved the Enterprise B.7.d.1 and received credit for shooting down a record 26 Japanese planes. Photo caption and credit 23 Words This painting on the outside of the conning tower records the numbers of Japanese ships and airplanes taken out by the SoDak’s crew. Photo Credit: TBD BSD Final Concept, 01/22/14 Page 5 B.7.e became a visible target. The Japanese ships made 42 major caliber hits on the SoDak and 40 men died, but the SoDak and Washington saved Guadalcanal. Photo of Captain Thomas Leigh Gatch, USN B.7.g Source: TBD, http://uboat.net/allies/commanders/3695.html Photo of damage from Savo Island Source: http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/015707d.jpg B.7.e.1 Photo caption and credit B.7.g.1 Source: Stillwell, Paul. The USS South Dakota., p. 8. Photo caption and credit 46 Words Words “The captain of a United States battleship considered it beneath his dignity to flop for Battle damage on the USS South Dakota following the Battle of Savo Island. a damned Japanese bomb.” Explanation of Capt. Gatch following his severe injury when a fragment from a 500-pound bomb severed his jugular vein while he stood on Photo Credit: TBD the ship’s bridge. Photo Credit: TBD B.7.f Secondary heading and text Source: Stillwell, Paul. The USS South Dakota., p. 10–12. 86 words Savo Island On November 12–13, the Japanese made another damaging attempt to take Henderson airfield. Expecting a renewed assault on the 14th, the SoDak, Washington, and four destroyers moved to protect Guadalcanal. At 11:16 the battleships opened fire near Savo Island. When a brief loss of power took out her communications, radar, and lights, the SoDak took a wrong turn and BSD Final Concept, 01/22/14 Page 6 B.8 Reading Rail Size: TBD November and December 1943 Marshall Islands and Nauru Island B.9 Reading Rail Size: TBD Battle of the Philippine Sea B.10 Reading Rail Size: TBD Attacks on Japan B.11 Reading Rail Size: TBD The War’s End and Treaty Signing B.12 Wall Treatment at entrance to Exhibit Wing Size: TBD The entrance into the Exhibit Wing will be themed with a faux metal treatment painted with BB 57.
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