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About This Quiz
Ever since the empires of the ancient world, it has generally been held that whoever controls the seas ultimately has the power. Railways are under 200 years old and automobiles even younger, meaning that until the Industrial Revolution, waterways and the oceans were the only efficient and reliable options for moving large amounts of trade goods or armies with any sort of speed.
Therefore, whoever had the most effective navy tended to punch well above its weight, both militarily and economically. Indeed, one of the great errors of the Chinese Empire in the 1400s was that it literally burned its 3500-ship navy - which would still be the largest on the planet today - due to elements within the Ming Dynasty taking exception to the riches of a wealthy middle class. This threw away a technological superiority that paved the way for European empires to rise uncontested, most notably the British Empire, which proudly claimed in song that Britannia ruled the waves. From Nelson's ship Victory through to the launch of HMS Dreadnought, Britain dominated the seas - but it did not last. War with Germany's famous U-boat submarines hobbled the empire, which ceded oceanic dominance to America, the rising superpower.
Now America's ships secure the waterways of the world, including the two most important trade routes on the planet, the Panama and Suez Canals. So let's find out how much you know about the destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers and more that ensure this hegemony - each one from a single picture!
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Which military ship is shown here?
Fleet Tug - Powhatan Class
Hospital Ship
The biggest hospital ship in the U.S. Navy is the USNS Comfort. It has over 700 medical personnel on board, carries 5,000 units of blood and includes 12 operating theaters. Both the Comfort and its sister ship, the USNS Mercy, are converted oil tankers. Each ship is over three football fields long and as high as a 10-story building. Both ships are also used for humanitarian missions around the world.
Icebreaker - Polar Class
Guided Missile Cruiser - Ticonderoga Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Attack Submarine - Virginia Class
The Virginia Class attack submarine is a nuclear-powered ship with the primary role of destroying enemy shipping and submarines. It can be used to gather intelligence and play a role in reconnaissance and support. It is armed with torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This submarine is capable of 25 knots and is manned by 15 officers and 117 crew.
Joint Command Ship - Blue Ridge Class
Hospital Ship - Mercy Class
Fast Combat Replenishment Ship - Supply Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
River Patrol Boat
Buoy Tender - Class A Balsam
Aircraft Carrier - Nimitz Class
The Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier is the largest ship in the United States Navy, with a displacement of 102,000 tons and a flight deck 332.9 meters in length. Even with its massive size, the Nimitz Class can reach speeds of over 30 knots. There are over 3,000 personnel on board these ships, as well as more than 2,800 aircrew. Up to 82 aircraft can be on board at any time.
Inland Construction Tender - Anvil Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Destroyer - Arleigh Burke Class
Destroyer Escort - Cannon Class
Guided Missile Submarine
With the ability to support a strike force or special operations, the Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine offers excellent stealth and clandestine characteristics. It can carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as torpedoes. The ship is 560 feet in length and weighs 16,764 metric tons. Propulsion is provided by nuclear power, giving a top speed of just over 20 knots.
Ocean Surveillance Ship - Victorious Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Small Landing Ship - Vydra Class
Replenishment Oiler - Fort Victoria class
Fleet Oiler - Dubna Class
Aircraft Carrier - Ford Class
The Ford Class Aircraft Carrier, scheduled to enter service in 2017, will become the premier ship in the U.S. Navy. With the ability to take a 75 aircraft strong strike force anywhere in the world, it will be used as a forward presence, act as a deterrent and provide maritime security. It can also be used in humanitarian missions. This ship class is 337m in length and displaces over 100,000 tons. Two nuclear reactors power four 30-ton bronze propellers, to provide a top speed of over 30 knots.
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Which military ship is shown here?
Crane Ship - Diamond State Class
Landing Craft
Landing craft in the U.S. Navy during World War II came in two main variants - Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) and Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM). LCI's are all about getting troops to shore quickly and efficiently, while LCM's do the same for heavy machinery, such as tanks, at designated landing points.
Submersible Support Ship
Offshore Patrol Vessel - Barentshav Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Tanker - Walchensee Class
Attack Submarine - Seawolf Class
Although close to 30 were planned, the end of the Cold War meant that only three Seawolf submarines were ever built. Currently, all three are in active service. The primary mission of this craft to act as a hunter-killer, tracking and destroying enemy submarines. Crewed by 134 men, it has a nearly unlimited range, thanks to nuclear power. It is armed with torpedoes and Tomahawk or Harpoon missiles.
Destroyer - Type 051
Buoy Tender - Class A Balsam
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Which military ship is shown here?
Destroyer - Arleigh-Burke Class
With a range of mission specifications, both offensive and defensive, the Arleigh-Burke Class Destroyer is able to operate independently or as part of a battle group. These ships have a top speed of 30 knots and are crewed by over 300 sailors.
Joint Command Ship - Blue Ridge Class
Hospital Ship - Mercy Class
Ammunition Ship - Lewis and Clarke Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
PT Boat
PT Boats were used by the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. They were quick and maneuverable, carrying both machine guns and torpedoes as armament. PT Boats were built out of wood, making them cheap to manufacture. Interestingly, John F Kennedy commanded one of these boats -- PT 109 -- when he served during the war.
Submarine Rescue
Fleet Tender
Fleet Tanker
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Which military ship is shown here?
Special Op Craft Riverine
Special Operations Craft Riverine are used by U.S. Special Forces, including SEAL teams. They are designed to operate along coastal areas and on rivers. An example of such a boat is the Anaconda. It is capable of speeds of up to 50 knots and is extremely agile. It can transport up to 14 troops.
Support Ship
Hospital Ship
Stores Ship
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Which military ship is shown here?
Attack Submarine - Los Angeles Class
With over 40 ships on active duty as of 2017, the Los Angeles Class Attack Submarine is the backbone of the U.S. Navy submersible force. These subs are armed with torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. They are powered by one nuclear reactor driving a turbine which gives a top speed of over 25 knots. 129 crew are on board each sub.
Gun Cruiser - De Zeven Provinciën Class
MT Tug - Habagat Class
Destroyer - Type 052B
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Which military ship is shown here?
Amphibious - Tarawa Class
Tarawa Class Amphibious ships entered service in 1976. They combined the duties of four other ships types into one. These included a helicopter carrier, an amphibious transport dock, command ship and amphibious cargo ship. Although smaller than the new Wasp Class, the Tarawa Class can carry a squadron of AV8 Harrier aircraft, helicopters, 200 armored vehicles and 1,900 troops. They were decommissioned in 2015.
River Buoy Tender - Gasconade Class
Zeus Cable Ship
Harbor Tug - Capstan Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Hovercraft
Logistical Support Vessel
Tank Landing Ship
Helicopter Carrier
Helicopter carriers differ for naval forces around the world. The United States does not have a pure helicopter carrier in service. The Wasp Amphibious Class, for instance, carries not only helicopters but also AV8 Harrier aircraft. These use vertical take-off and landing systems and so do function in the same way as a helicopter, however. Helicopter carriers were used extensively by the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
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Which military ship is shown here?
Destroyer - Kongo Class
Amphibious - Dock Landing Ships
Amphibious Dock Landing Ships give the U.S. Navy the ability to get troops, vehicles and other supplies into battle zones. They are also used in humanitarian missions around the world. These ships are equipped with a contingent of troops, helicopters, aircraft (in some cases), various vehicles and landing craft.
Support Ship - Karel Doorman Class
Hospital Ship - Daishandao Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Amphibious Assault Ship - America Class
Destroyer - Zumwalt Class
The Zumwalt Class Destroyer is the first U.S. Naval ship to feature an all-electric propulsion system. With stealth capabilities, these ships provide support for ground forces and perform traditional destroyer roles, including anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare. It has a crew of 158.
Tank Landing Ship - LST Mk.2 class (LST)
Container/Vehicle Cargo Ship - Titus Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Amphibious - Wasp Class
One of the largest amphibious assault ships in service today, the Wasp Class can carry troops to hostile shores and can carry AV8 Harrier aircraft as well as hovercraft. The ship carries 2,000 or more troops and the ability to land nine helicopters at any one time. This ship has a large onboard hospital.
Harpers Ferry Class
Cruiser - Ticonderoga Class
Destroyer - Arleigh Burke Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Merchant Raider
Merchant Raiders were the German equivalent of Q-Ships, used during World War I and II. In essence, a Merchant Raider or Q-Ship is a merchant ship carrying concealed weapons which are brought to bear on the enemy when they least expect it.
Patrol Ship
Frigate
Coastal Tug
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Which military ship is shown here?
Marine Corps Prepositioning Ship - Hauge Class
Vehicle Cargo Ship - Cape Lambert Class
Littoral Combat - Independence Class
The Independence class littoral combat ship is a multipurpose ship that is capable of speeds up to 40 knots. Its modular design allows for different configurations, depending on its current mission. It is powered by two diesel engines and has a range of around 4,300 nautical miles. This ship class has a crew of 40 with space for an additional 35, depending on the current mission.
Dock Landing Ship - Whidbey Island Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Crane Ship - Keystone State Class
Ballistic Missile Submarines - Ohio Class
The Ohio Class Submarine in this configuration is a stealth submarine with nuclear capability. "Boomers," as they are called, carry 24 missiles each, specifically the Trident D5 ballistic missile. Their major role is to act as a deterrent to hostile forces, but they can strike multiple targets as well.
Diver Support Ship
Degaussing Ship - Yanbai Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Frigate - Formidable Class
Combat Support Ship - Berlin Class
Fast Attack Craft
Small and agile, Fast Attack Craft have a range of weapons and operate close to land. They perform lightning-fast attack and defensive missions. Due to their speed and agility, they can be a real problem for larger ships, especially if they are armed with similar weapons systems. Of course, this speed comes at a cost. These ships are lightly armored and crews live and work in very cramped conditions.
Destroyer - Type 45
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Which military ship is shown here?
Nuclear Submarine
Heavy Landing Craft - Balikpapan Class
Torpedo Boat
Although not currently serving in the U.S. Navy, torpedo boats were vital weapons during World War II. Perhaps the most famous of these were the PT Boats that served mostly in the Pacific. These boats were small but extremely fast and maneuverable, and they were armed with torpedoes as well as machine guns. The Japanese called them "Devil boats."
Attack Submarine - Los Angeles Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Monitor Warship
Monitor Warships are a class of ship that is relatively small but extremely well armed. They have seen service from the middle of the 1800s right up until the Vietnam War and were designed for use in a variety of roles, including coastal and river patrols. The USS Monitor was commissioned in 1861.
Vehicle Cargo Ship - Cape Hudson Class
Container Ship - Page Class
Aviation Logistics Ship - Wright Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Transport Tanker - Chesapeake Class
Oceanographic Research Ship
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle
An undersea rescue vehicle with two crew, this ship has the ability to locate submarines in distress. It then latches onto the hatch and has the ability to transport 24 crew at a time back to the surface. It also includes a gripping arm, capable of lifting 1,000 pounds.
Amphibious Command Ship
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Which military ship is shown here?
Patrol Craft
Fleet Oiler - Henry J. Kaiser Class
Ocean Minesweeper
Littoral Combat - Freedom Class
This ship is specifically made to operate in coastal waterways. Water jet propulsion allows it to operate in shallow water. This ship can also run over submerged logs and other obstacles without damaging the propulsion system and it can "beach" if necessary. It has a range of 3,500 nautical miles and can travel at 45 knots.
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Which military ship is shown here?
Sloop
Sloops served in the United States navy from the 1700s using wind power and into the late 1800s driven by steam power. Sloops were used as attack vessels, thanks to their cannon armament. They were smaller than frigates and were fast and maneuverable. Of course, because of this, they didn't have as much firepower.
Heavy Landing Craft - Balikpapan Class
Tank Landing Ship - LST 117 Class
Utility Landing Craft - Tagbanua Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Light Cruiser
Light cruisers served with distinction in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The Cleveland Class was the most plentiful and were either part of Carrier Task Forces in the Pacific or part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Many saw service after the war, but the last was decommissioned in 1979. These cruisers could travel at speeds of over 30 knots.
Naval Tug
Pocket Battleship
Aircraft Carrier
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Which military ship is shown here?
USS Cowpens
Destroyer - Type 051
Patrol Boat
Patrol boats serve a number of functions within the U.S. Navy. This includes coastline patrol, surveillance as well as support for special operation forces. The U.S. Navy has a number of active Cyclone class boats in the Persian Gulf, based in Bahrain. They are capable of speeds of 35 knots. Weapons include various gun armaments, missiles and grenade launchers.
Naval Tug
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Which military ship is shown here?
USS Constellation
USS Lexington
USS Cowpens
USS New York
The name New York has been given to several U.S. Navy ships in recent memory. The first was a battleship that served from 1912 to 1946. Another is an amphibious transport dock, serving out of Mayport, Florida, as of 2017.
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Which military ship is shown here?
Icebreaker
Minelayer
Minelayers played an active role in the U.S. Navy during World War II in particular. The purpose of the craft was to lay sea-going mines that would hopefully sink enemy ships. Today, although some countries still make use of these vessels, the U.S. Navy have no active minelayers and instead use aircraft to do the job instead.
Logistic Support Ship
Surveillance Ship
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Which military ship is shown here?
Nancang Replenishment Ship
Missile Boat
Missile boats are no longer in service with the U.S. Navy. The last boats designated as missile boats were the Pegasus Class Hydrofoils that served from 1977 to 1993. They were built specifically to counter Soviet threats at the time, in the form of the Komar and Osa class missile boats. Each boat was armed with eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, capable of destroying a target over 110km away.
Nuclear Submarine
Buoy Lifter
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Which military ship is shown here?
Inland Construction Tender - Anvil Class
Submarine Rescue Ship - Dalang Class
Battle Cruiser
Battle Cruisers were used in a variety of roles by the United States Navy during World War II. They were built primarily to combat the German "pocket battleships" and Japanese battlecruisers rumored to be under construction. Only two of the Alaska Class were ever built, serving for three years between 1944 and 1947. A third ship was never completed. They were capable of traveling 12,000 nautical miles and had a top speed of 33 knots.
Repair Ship - Amur Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Cable Ship
Assault Ship
Q-Ship
Q-Ships were used extensively during both World Wars. Essentially, they were seen by the enemy to be merchant ships and thus an easy kill. Although some still acted as merchant ships, many held concealed weapons and turned them on an unsuspecting and certainly unready enemy. However, they were not very successful and the idea was scrapped in 1943.
Landing Craft
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Which military ship is shown here?
Landing Ship
Dreadnought
Dreadnoughts received their name from HMS Dreadnought, launched in 1906. This massive battleship caught the public's imagination -- all large battleships after that were termed Dreadnoughts. The U.S. Navy had Dreadnoughts of their own, including the USS Texas, which is still in existence today and acts as a museum ship. It served from 1912 to 1948.
Submarine
Heavy Battleship
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Which military ship is shown here?
Mine Countermeasures Vessel - Avenger Class
Ammunition Ship - Kilauea Class
Transport Tanker - Henry J. Kaiser Class
Frigate
The Knox Class Frigate in service with the U.S. Navy is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare. This class entered service in 1969. It is powered by two steam boilers and one turbine, giving it a maximum speed of 27 knots. Armament comes in the form of deck guns, torpedoes, anti-submarine missiles and anti-ship missiles.
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Which military ship is shown here?
Amphibious - San Antonio Class
Specifically operating as an amphibious transport dock, this ship deploys 700 troops using onboard landing craft. Although smaller than the Wasp class, it still has helicopters on board and a 24-bed hospital with two operating theaters. It is crewed by a complement of close to 400 men.
Frigate - Knox Class
Survey Ship - Melville Class
Marine Corps Prepositioning Ship - Bobo Class
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Which military ship is shown here?
Minesweeper
Minesweepers have the sole purpose of detecting and removing sea mines that could be a threat to other ships in a fleet. The U.S. Navy currently operates the Avenger Class. They are capable of detecting a range of mines including those that float or that are anchored to the seabed. Once found, they are destroyed. They operate out of Bahrain, the United States and Japan.
Hunter-Killer Submarine
Cruiser
Destroyer
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Which military ship is shown here?
Amphibious Command Ship
Amphibious Command Ships Blue Ridge Class are built to provide a base of operations for fleet commanders, to enable them to command and control amphibious forces. In a nutshell, they are floating headquarters. They have been in operation since 1971.
Aircraft Carrier - Chakri Naruebet Class
Battlecruiser - Kirov Class
Destroyer - Arleigh Burke Class
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