The spelling of the word "USS California" is based on the English alphabet where each letter represents a specific sound. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription, "USS California" would be written as /ˈjuː ɛs ɛs ˌkæləˈfɔːrniə/, with each symbol representing a distinct sound. The two "s" sounds are represented by the symbol for the voiceless alveolar sibilant consonant /s/. The word "California" is also spelled with a "c" and not a "k" as the latter represents the sound of the hard "c", while the former represents the sound of a soft "c".
USS California refers to several United States Navy ships that have commemorated the state of California. The first USS California (ACR-6) was a Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser commissioned in 1907. It played a notable role in World War I, escorting convoys and supporting landing operations. This ship was decommissioned in 1919 but later reclassified as a "large cruiser" and renamed USS San Diego (CL-18). Tragically, it was sunk in 1918 by a German mine off the coast of New York.
The second USS California (BB-44) was a Colorado-class battleship commissioned in 1921. It operated throughout the Pacific Ocean during World War II, participating in various campaigns, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Surigao Strait. Renamed Pittsburgh (CA-72) to free the name for a new class of battleships, it was decommissioned in 1947 and eventually scrapped in 1959.
Lastly, the third USS California (SSN-781) is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine currently in service since 2011. It is capable of conducting a wide range of operations, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and support of special operations forces.
Overall, the name "USS California" has been used to honor the state's contributions and longstanding connection to the United States Navy through various ships across different time periods.