User blog comment:FlammeumDraco333/Tales From the Not so Blocky Seas/@comment-10905876-20150728152107

-Update on the New York class-

So, we all know how bad the early American BB line is. Really, the New York is the only half decent ship in the line, and she still isn't that good. But, that may not be entirely true. When upgraded to level 35, you can get the improved 14" guns in positions 1,2,4,and 5. If you upgrade to the new guns, sell off your position 3 turret, and leave it empty. Then you have room for a lot more armor, and can even improve protection while increasing speed. As usual in big ship slug outs, all the damage seems to fall on the amidships armor, so increase that at the expense of fore and aft armor protection. I have a 28" amidships belt with a 20" deck, with a 11"x10" fore and aft scheme. And can still make 20 knots.

So my assessment has changed, the New York is far better than the Nevada, but you have to deal with the really crappy other American BBs to get there.