what was the name of the first battleship commissioned by the united states government
USS Indiana
title: Battleship Illinois (replica) text: Battleship Illinois (replica) Illinois was a detailed, full-scale mockup of an , constructed as a naval exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893. In the decade preceding the Columbian Exposition, the United States Navy initiated a fleet modernization program. Sometimes referred to as the 'New Navy', the first steel-hulled warships were constructed to replace the wooden and ironclad ships from the American Civil War period. In 1891, the first class of modern American battleships, the "Indiana"-class, was laid down. These warships included modern technologies absent in their Civil War-era predecessors, particularly electricity and electrically-driven devices. When title: History of the United States Navy text: In 1882, on the recommendation of an advisory panel, the Navy Secretary William H. Hunt requested funds from Congress to construct modern ships. The request was rejected initially, but in 1883 Congress authorized the construction of three protected cruisers, , , and , and the dispatch vessel , together known as the ABCD ships. In 1885, two more protected cruisers, and which was the last American cruiser to be fitted with a sail rig, were authorized. Congress also authorized the construction of the first battleships in the Navy, and . The ABCD ships proved to be excellent vessels, and the title: USS United States (1797) text: President Washington requested instructions from Congress on how to proceed. Several proposals circulated before a final decision was reached allowing Washington to complete the three frigates nearest to completion; "United States", "Constellation" and "Constitution" were chosen. On 10 May 1797 she was the first American warship to be launched under the Naval Act of 1794, and the first ship of the United States Navy. She was fitted out at Philadelphia during the spring of 1798 and, on 3 July ordered to proceed to sea. Relations with the French government had deteriorated, starting the Quasi-War. "United States"s nominal rating was that title: United States Navy text: hulled warships stimulated the American steel industry, and "the new steel navy" was born. This rapid expansion of the U.S. Navy and its easy victory over the Spanish Navy in 1898 brought a new respect for American technical quality. Rapid building of at first pre-dreadnoughts, then dreadnoughts brought the U.S. in line with the navies of countries such as Britain and Germany. In 1907, most of the Navy's battleships, with several support vessels, dubbed the Great White Fleet, were showcased in a 14-month circumnavigation of the world. Ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was a mission designed to demonstrate the title: History of the United States Navy text: an essential part of realizing that doctrine beyond the limits of the American continent. In 1890, Mahan's doctrine influenced Navy Secretary Benjamin F. Tracy to propose the United States start building no less than 200 ships of all types, but Congress rejected the proposal. Instead, the Navy Act of 1890 authorized building three battleships, , , and , followed by . By around the start of the 20th century, two s and three s were completed or under construction, which brought the U.S. Navy from twelfth place in 1870 to fifth place among the world's navies. Battle tactics, especially long-range