The USN trialled turbo-electric drive in BB40 New Mexico, constructed 1915-18 (her two sisters received geared turbines) and then incorporated it into Tennessee class (2 ships) and Colorado class (3 ships), all of which were laid down prior to the Washington Treaty being signed.
New Mexico was converted to geared turbines during her 1931-33 modernisation with weight and space occupied being cited as problems. The later five all kept the turbo-electric machinery until they met the scrapman's axe post WW2. That because by the time these ships became due for modernisation inter-war, the USN preferred to spend what money was available on new Treaty limited battleships.
In WW2 most of the destroyer escorts built were either diesel or turbo electric. Only the Edsall (85 built) and John C Butler class (the last class, 83 built) used geared diesels and turbines respectively. That was from a total of over 550 including those completed as APD. But you are correct, it took a while for US industry to scale up its gear cutting industry.
