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fighting ships of the world

UNITED STATES NAVY (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

CRUISERS

CLEVELAND light cruisers (1942-1958)

Cleveland 1943

Fargo 1945

Vincennes 1963

Fargo 1963

Little Rock 1960

Galveston 1959

Little Rock 1963

Providence 1963

Topeka 1963

Galveston 1963

Project history: The most numerous class of cruisers in the history: 29 ships from 52 ordered entered service as cruisers, 9 more were completed as light aircraft carriers.

History of these ships begun in 1938 when the decision to build two 8000t light cruisers within the limits of FY1940 programme (according to a limit established by 1936 London conference) was accepted. In May, 1939 the design of new ship (8000t, 173m, 5 х 2 152/47mm guns, 5 х 4 28mm MGs, 1 catapult and 2 х 3 TT), superficially resembling moderated Brooklyn was ready. The lack of this variant was very cramped arrangement which is not supposing any alterations, arisen at discussion by General Board. It was offered to create the new design, but in September war in Europe has begun, contractual limitations have disappeared and, not to lose time, it has been solved to use design of cruiser Helena, having strengthen her heavy antiaircraft armament. The hull of a new cruiser had bigger breadth in comparison with a prototype to indemnify the increased top weight and to store comprehensible stability. With the same purpose usage of aluminium alloys was provided at superstructures construction. As it is paradoxical, last circumstance finally has had an adverse effect: in conditions of wartime shortage of aluminium has compelled to change it in ship constructions to a steel (from CL66), that only has worsened a situation with a stability. The main calibre of new cruisers consisted from 12 152mm Mk 16 guns in four triple turrets. The antiaircraft armament was very powerful: 12 127/38mm DP guns in six twin mounts. The successful arrangement (on diamond-shaped scheme) ensured wide fire arcs, allowing to mass fire not less than of six guns in any direction. Light AA armament originally was limited by 12.7mm MGs, there was a question on installation of 28mm MGs on the ships. Small stability demanded to accompany this operation by ballast stowage. Even before commission of the first cruiser unreliable 28mm MG were replaced by twin 40mm Boforses. Protection as a whole was same as on Helena, with better protected aft magazines. The immune zone under 152mm guns fire at a relative 90 ° bearing laid between 47-108 cables. Structure and arrangement scheme of machinery were not differed from accepted on Helena, but length of engine rooms had been increased to be saved of narrowness.

First 2 ships, CL55 and 56, have been ordered 23.3.1940. Before entering of the USA into the Second World War orders for 28 ships (CL59-CL67 and CL76-CL94) were placed. After 7.12.1941 new orders have followed, and till 1942 orders for additional 20 ships (CL99-CL118) were placed.

Since CL64 cruisers were commissioned with new open bridge and without armoured CT. Since 1942 works on improved design (in which at the expense of lower arrangement of 127mm guns and 40mm MGs stability was raised) were conducted. Simultaneously it was supposed to shrink number of funnels to one, that would ensure to AA MGs better fire arcs. In August, 1942 it has been decided to build CL106-118 under changed project, but because of reduction of shipbuilding in the end of war only 2 ships were completed under new design.

In the beginning of 1942 for acceleration of replenishing of fleet fast aircraft carriers it has been solved to rebuild 9 ships , ordered to New York SB, as light aircraft carriers of Independence class. The order for CL84 and CL88 has been cancelled 16.12.1940 to give the chance to Federal, Kearny to be concentrate on destroyers. In 1944-1945 orders for ships at early building stages or yet not laid down, have been cancelled: CL112-115 5.10.1944; CL94, 109-111 and 116-118 12.8.1945.

Ship protection: Main belt abreast machinery was 4.1m high. It was 127mm thick (83mm at lower edge) on 16mm STS plating. There were narrow belts abreast magazines. Fore belt was 51mm thick but aft inner belt had 120mm thickness. Magazines were protected by 93mm bulkheads fore and aft, machinery and magazines were separated by 127-51mm bulkheads. Armoured deck over main belt was 51mm. Barbettes were 152mm thick. Turrets had 152mm faces, 76mm sides, 32mm rears and 76mm crowns.

CLG modernization: Main belt abreast machinery was 4.2m high. It was 127mm thick (83mm at lower edge) on 16mm STS plating. There were narrow belts abreast magazines. Fore belt was 51mm thick but aft inner belt had 120mm thickness. Magazines were protected by 93mm bulkheads fore and aft, machinery and magazines were separated by 127-51mm bulkheads. Armoured deck over main belt was 51mm. Barbettes were 152mm thick. Turrets had 165-mm faces, 32-mm sides, 32-mm rears and 51-mm crowns.

Modernizations: 11.1942, Cleveland, Columbia: + 2 x 2 - 40/56 Mk 1.2

1945, all completed: - 1 catapult

1/1946, Cleveland, Columbia: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 6 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 13 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SC, SG, Mk 8, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Montpelier, Denver: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 17 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SC, SG, Mk 8, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Santa Fe: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 21 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SC, SG, Mk 8, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Birmingham, Mobile: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 6 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 21 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SG, SK, Mk 13, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Vincennes, Biloxi, Houston: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 21 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SG, SK-2, Mk 13, 2x Mk 25 radars

1/1946, Pasadena, Springfield: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 21 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SC, SG, Mk 8, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Topeka, Providence, Vicksburg, Duluth, Astoria, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Amsterdam, Portsmouth, Wilkes-Barre, Atlanta, Dayton: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 6 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SG, SK-2, Mk 13, 2x Mk 25 radars

1/1946, Miami: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 6 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 catapult, 4 seaplanes, SG, SK, Mk 13, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Fargo: 4 x 3 - 152/47 Mk 16, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 6 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 14 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, 1 catapult, 2 seaplanes, SG, SK-2, Mk 13, 2x Mk 25 radars

1955, Cleveland, Columbia: - 13 x 1 - 20/70

1955, Montpelier, Denver: - 17 x 1 - 20/70

1955, Santa Fe, Birmingham, Mobile, Vincennes, Pasadena, Springfield, Biloxi, Houston: - 21 x 1 - 20/70

1955, Topeka, Providence, Manchester, Vicksburg, Duluth, Miami, Astoria, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Galveston, Amsterdam, Portsmouth, Wilkes-Barre, Atlanta, Dayton: - 10 x 1 - 20/70

1955, Fargo, Huntington: - 14 x 2 - 20/70

5/1958, Galveston (as commissioned); 9.1959, Providence; 3.1960, Topeka; 6.1960, Little Rock; 7.1960, Springfield; 9.1960, Oklahoma City: were modernized as missile cruisers with data as given in the table.

early 1960s, Galveston, Providence, Topeka, Little Rock, Springfield, Oklahoma City: + helicopter deck for DASH drone helicopter, SQS-23 sonar

1963, Galveston, Oklahoma City, Providence, Springfield, Topeka: - SPS-8B radar; + SPS-30 radar

1963, Little Rock: - SPS-2 radar; + SPS-30 radar

late 1960s, Galveston, Oklahoma City, Providence, Springfield, Topeka: - SPS-29 radar; + SPS-43A radar

196late 1960s, Little Rock: - SPS-17 radar; + SPS-43A radar

1970s, some: - SPS-39 radar; + SPS-52 radar

Naval service: Columbia 6th and 9th January 1945 was badly damaged by kamikazes, repair lasted till May, 1945. Denver 13.11.1943 was damaged by Japanese air torpedo and was under repair till June, 1944. Birmingham 8.11.1943 was badly damaged by Japanese aircraft (bombs and a torpedo) and was under repair till February, 1944; 24.10.1944 she was damaged by explosion on aircraft carrier Princeton, was under repair till January, 1945; 3.5.1945 she was damaged by kamikaze and returned to service in August, 1945. Biloxi 26.3.1945 was damaged by kamikaze and was under repair was till July, 1945. Houston 14.10.1944 was badly damaged by Japanese air torpedo, damaged again by an air torpedo being under tow 16.10.1944 and returned to service in October, 1945. Duluth received heavy damages, having got into a typhoon 5.6.1945 and returned to service in August, 1945.

Dayton 1948

Providence 1966

© Ivan Gogin, 2014-15