What does the BB stand for in battleship?

Answer 1

Prior to 1920, US battleships were designated B-1, B-2 etc. in 1920 they were re-designated as BB-1, BB-2, etc. to maintain consistency with the numbering systems for the new variety of naval vessels entering service; such as the DE, or CV's. The first letter meant Battleship; the second letter was simply for uniformity. This also applied to the US destroyers...DD's.

Answer 2

Prior to 1920, USN warships were catergorized by one letter and then a number, such as B-1 (Battleship), D-1 (Destroyer), S-1 (Submarine), etc. But by 1920, the USN was becoming swamped with new types of vessels...aircraft carriers, submarines, patrol boats, support vessels, old battleships, new Dreadnaught battleships, Armored Cruisers, Protected Cruisers, etc. In 1920, a second letter had to be added; such as AC for Armored Cruiser, DE for Destroyer Escort, and then the hull number added to that. For the sake of consistency, the first letter "B" for battleship meant BATTLESHIP, but the second "B" was simply for uniformity. This also applied to the Destroyers (DD).

Answer 3

"BB" is the designation for battleship. All naval ships have a designation, followed by a hull number as a way to identify and classify them.

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Answer 4

It was the designation for a Battleship