I agree with your belief that this is miscaptioned. The ship's structures lack all of the immediately-prior-to-Pearl-Harbor mods. The signal flag "spreaders" are the original, single pole type rather than the later truss type, the MK-19 AA directors are not in the combined "boxes", no splinter screens, no added AA platforms on the masts, no birdbath on the main top, etc. It looks more like the ship upon completion of her 1930's modernization. Perhaps the structure on the bow was to verify the vertical alignment of the guns following their modifications to increase elevation. I have seen photos of temporary structures like this before, but have never seen a satisfactory explanation.