[1] The USS Maryland in Puget Sound, 5 August 1945 USS Maryland (BB-46), a Colorado-class battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the seventh state. Her keel was laid down 24 April 1917 by Newport News Shipbuilding Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 20 March 1920, and sponsored by Mrs. E. Brook Lee, wife of the Comptroller of the State of Maryland and daughter-in-law of United States Senator from Maryland Blair Lee; she was commissioned on 21 July 1921, with Captain C.F. Preston in command.