[Junior]

The two surviving battleships are 60+ year-old platforms for which the support infrastructure no longer exists (that's why the Iowa was using old powder at the time of her turret explosion). They are manpower and maintenance-intensive, which means they'll soak up personnel and money the Navy does not have.

I understand the romanticism of big-gun battlewagons; however, even in their hay day they were vulnerable to enemy action (c.f. Yamato and Bismark). Technology has advanced 60 years since then.

[DarthVader]

It took over 400 major caliber shells (16 and 14 in.) and 7 torpedoes to sink the Bismarck. Even after that massive bombardment the Germans may have very well scuttled her. There is no modern ship afloat that could take that kind of punishment even from WWII vintage weapons. She was a remarkable piece of naval construction based upon a WWI design.

[CharacterCounts]

hay day

Not trying to be picky but the correct term is heyday!

[Jimmy Valentine]

"(that's why the Iowa was using old powder at the time of her turret explosion)."

The Iowa's turret explosion was caused by a poorly trained turret crew over ramming the powder load.

Regards,