US Cruisers List: Light/Heavy/Antiaircraft Cruisers, Part 1
Revised 22 January 2000
Version 1.12
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
URL: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/cruisers/
This list includes US Heavy, Light and Scout Cruisers in the series
CL 1 through CL 50, and various Protected and Peace Cruisers
redesignated in that series.
Type Desig. Notes
Light Cruiser CL Some ex CS, PG, CA
Heavy Cruiser CA some ex CL
The CL designation originated 17 July 1920 with ex-Scout Cruisers;
a group of old Peace Cruisers and Protected Cruisers were added on
8 Aug 1921. These ships had been designated PG and CA, respectively,
since 17 July 1920.
The CA designation originated as Cruiser on 17 July 1920, with the ships
numbered in a separate series. These ships were former Armored and
Protected Cruisers. CA was redefined as Heavy Cruiser and combined with
the CL series 1 July 1931.
Note on WWII modifications: All ships in service through WWII were
extensively modified. Modifications generally consisted of additions of
new weapons, radars and open bridges, and corresponding reductions as
weight compensation. Large numbers of 20 and 40 mm AA guns were added,
replacing .50 cal and 1.1 inch weapons. Superstrucutures were cut down to
open sky arcs for AA weapons and as weight compensation, new open bridges
were added, and masts were cut down or removed. Many ships lost one of two
seaplanes and catapults; boats and boat cranes were removed. Conning
towers and splinter protection were reduced as weight savings; new gun
directors were fitted, turret rangefinders were removed. Flammable
material was removed wherever possible. Modifications were generally done
after major battle damage or during major overhauls, and were done in
stages. Thus, a few ships were not fully modernized, and the details of
modernization varied from ship to ship. Omaha class modernizations were
kept to a minimum, as the ships were totally obsolete, they were
decommissioned immediately after the war ended. Most of the other ships
were decommissioned in 1946, with the last going to reserve in early 1947.
All of these ships were dramatically overweight by 1945.
Note: CS 1-13 were originally designated Scout Cruisers 1-13 under the
old system. They became CL 1-13 under the new system, retaining their
original numbers.
Displ: 4,926 tons full load
Dim: 420 x 47 x 16.5 ft
Prop: see individual entries
Crew: 358
Arm: 2 5/50, 6 3/50, 2 18 inch TT
Armor: 2 inch belt, 1 inch deck (aft only)
Equipped with different propulsion systems for comparison purposes.
Rearmed in 1917: 4 3/50 removed, all 5/50 removed, 4 5/51 added,
1 3/50 AA added.
CS-1/CL 1 Chester
Built by Bath Iron. Laid down 25 Sept 1905, launched 26 June 1907,
commissioned 25 April 1908. Propulsion: steam turbines,
12 275 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 16,000 hp, 26.5 knots. Decommissioned
15 Dec 1911, recommissioned 5 Nov 1913, decommissioned 12 Dec 1914.
Recommissioned 4 April 1915, decommissioned 10 May 1916.
Recommissioned 24 March 1917. Decommissioned 10 June 1921,
to CL 17 July 1920, renamed York 10 July 1928, stricken
21 Jan 1930, sold 13 May 1930.
CS-2/CL 2 Birmingham
Built by Fore River. Laid down 14 Aug 1905, launched 29 May 1907,
commissioned 11 April 1908. Propulsion: VTE engines,
12 275 psi boilers, 2 shafts, 16,000 hp, 24 knots. Decommissioned
30 June 1911, briefly active during 1911-1913. Recommissioned
2 Feb 1914, converted to torpedo flotilla tender 1914 at
Philadelphia Navy. To CL 17 July 1920, decommissioned 1 Dec 1923,
stricken 21 Jan 1930, sold 13 May 1930.
CS-3/CL 3 Salem
Built by Fore River. Laid down 28 Aug 1905, launched 27 July 1907,
commissioned 1 Aug 1908. Propulsion: Steam turbines, 12
275 psi boilers, 2 shafts, 22,000 hp, 26 knots. Machinery
replaced 1917, 20,000 hp. To CL 17 July 1920. Decommissioned
16 Aug 1921, stricken 13 Nov 1929, sold 11 Feb 1930.
Displ: 9,507 tons full load
Dim: 555.5 x 55.5 x 15 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 12 265 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 90,000 hp, 35 kt
Crew: 468
Arm: 2 dual, 8 single 6/53, 4 3/50, 224 mines, 6 TT
Armor: 3 inch belt, 1.5 inch deck, 1.25 inch CT
All changed from CS to CL 17 July 1920. The dual 6" turrets were added
during construction. Intended as long range high speed scouts, they
were employed as destroyer leaders and with other cruisers after the
scouting role was taken by aircraft. They were overcrowded before
completion; mine capability soon deleted. Reduced to 2 dual, 6 single
(10 total) 6 inch guns 1928-1929. Overage, overweight and overdue for
replacement by 1941. Served in subsidiary roles during WWII.
Modifications were forbidden after September 1944 due to extreme age
and obsolescence. Planned final armament was 10 6 inch, 6 3/50,
3 twin 40 mm, 12 20 mm; exceptions are noted below. Torpedo tubes were
removed from some ships.
CS-4/CL 4 Omaha
Built by Seattle C&DD. Laid down 6 Dec 1918, launched
14 Dec 1920, commissioned 24 Feb 1923. Decommissioned
1 Nov 1945, stricken 28 Nov 1945, scrapped at Philalphia 2/1946.
CS-5/CL 5 Milwaukee
Built by Seattle C&DD. Laid down 13 Dec 1918, launched
21 March 1921, commissioned 24 Feb 1923. Decommissioned
and transferred to Russia 20 April 1944, renamed Murmansk.
Returned 16 March 1949, stricken 16 March 1949, sold 10 Dec 1949,
scrapped at Wilmington.
CS-6/CL 6 Cincinnati
Built by Seattle C&DD. Laid down 15 May 1920, launched
23 May 1921, commissioned 1 Jan 1924. Had 2 Army 40 mm,
8 3/50, 3 dual 40 mm at war's end. Decommissioned 1 Nov 1945,
stricken 27 Feb 1946, scrapped at Philadelphia 1946.
CS-7/CL 7 Raleigh
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 16 Aug 1920, launched
25 Oct 1922, commissioned 6 Feb 1924. Torpedoed and nearly
sunk at Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941. Had 8 3/50, 3 dual 40 mm,
8 20 mm at war's end. Decommissioned 2 Nov 1945, stricken
28 Nov 1945, sold 27 Feb 1946, scrapped at Philadelphia.
CS-8/CL 8 Detroit
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 10 Nov 1920, launched
20 June 1922, commissioned 31 July 1923. Had 8 6 inch, 8 3/50,
5 twin 40 mm, 12 20 mm at war's end. Decommissioned 11 Jan 1946,
stricken & sold sold 27 Feb 1946, scrapped at Baltimore 1947.
CS-9/CL 9 Richmond
Built by Cramp. Laid down 16 Feb 1920, launched 29 Sept 1921,
commissioned 2 July 1923. Decommissioned 21 Dec 1945, stricken
21 Jan 1946, sold 18 Dec 1946, scrapped at Baltimore 1947.
CS-10/CL 10 Concord
Built by Cramp. Laid down 29 March 1920, launched 15 Dec 1921,
commissioned 3 Nov 1923. Decommissioned 12 Dec 1945,
stricken & sold 21 Jan 1947, scrapped at Baltimore 1947.
CS-11/CL 11 Trenton
Built by Cramp. Laid down 18 Aug 1920, launched 16 April 1923,
commissioned 19 April 1924. Decommissioned 20 Dec 1945,
stricken 21 Jan 1946, sold 29 Dec 1946, scrapped at Baltimore 1947.
CS-12/CL 12 Marblehead
Built by Cramp. Laid down 4 Aug 1920, launched 9 Oct 1923,
commissioned 8 Sept 1924. Was equipped with 7 single 6"
in 1928, when the others were reduced to 6 6". Later
reduced to 6 6". Severely damaged by aircraft 4 Feb 1942,
nearly sunk. Decommissioned 1 Nov 1945, stricken 28 Nov 1945,
scrapped at Philadelphia 27 Feb 1946.
CS-13/CL 13 Memphis
Built by Cramp. Laid down 14 Oct 1920, launched 17 April 1924,
commissioned 4 Feb 1925. Had 7 3/50, 2 dual 40 mm, 12 20 mm.
Decommissoned 17 Dec 1945, stricken 8 Jan 1946, sold 18 Dec 1946,
scrapped at Baltimore 1947.
Designation CL 14 skipped
Chicago (CA 14) was scheduled to be redesignated CL 14 on 1
July 1921, but was redesignated IX 5 instead.
Displ: 6,558 tons full load
Dim: 344 x 53 x 21.5 ft
Prop: VTE engines, 4 160 psi boilers, 13,500 hp, 2 shafts, 20 kt.
Crew: 428
Arm: 2 dual 8/35, 10 5/40, 14 6 lb, 7 1 lb, 4 Gatling, 6 18 inch TT
Armor: 2-4.75 inch deck, 3.5-4.5 inch turrets, 4 inch barbettes
New design commerce raiding cruiser.
C-6/CA 15/CL 15/IX 40 Olympia
Built by Union. Laid down 17 June 1891, launched 5 Nov 1892,
commissioned 5 Feb 1895. Dewey's flagship at Manilla.
Decommissioned 8 Nov 1899, partially reconstructed 1901-1903,
recommissioned Jan 1902. Decommissioned 2 April 1906. Midshipmen
cruises 1906, 1907, 1908; barracks ship 1912-1916. Recommissioned
1916, rearmed with 10 5/51 in place of old 8" and 5", 1917-1918.
Designated CA 17 July 1921, to CL 8 Aug 1921. Decommissioned
9 Dec 1922. Redesignated IX 30 June 1931 (to clear cruiser tonnage).
Stricken and donated for museum at Philadelphia 11 September 1957.
Displ: 3,750 full load
Dim: 308 x 44 x 16.5
Prop: VTE engines, 6 boilers, 2 shafts, 4,700 hp, 16.5 knots
Crew: 327
Arm: 10 5/40, 8 6 lb, 2 1 lb, 4 .30 cal
Armor: 1.75 inch gun protection
3rd class cruisers/gunboats. Main battery was 8 5/40
during WWI, one 3/23 AA added postwar.
C-14/PG 28/CL 16 Denver
Built by Neafie & Levy. Laid down 28 June 1900, launched
21 June 1902, commissioned 17 May 1904. Decommissioned
12 March 1910, recommissioned 15 July 1912. To PG 7 July 1920,
to CL 8 Aug 1921. Decommissioned 14 Feb 1931, stricken
12 March 1931, sold 13 Sept 1933.
C-15/PG 29/CL 17 Des Moines
Built by Fore River. Laid down 28 Aug 1900, launched 20 Sept 1902,
commissioned 5 March 1904. To PG 7 July 1920. Decommissioned
9 April 1921, to CL 8 Aug 1921, stricken 13 Dec 1929, sold
11 March 1930.
C-16/PG 30/CL 18 Chattanooga
Built by Crescent. Laid down 29 March 1900, launched 7 March 1903,
commissioned 11 Oct 1904. Decommissioned 17 Sept 1910,
recommissioned 21 April 1914, to PG 7 July 1920. Decommissioned
19 July 1921, to CL 8 Aug 1921, stricken 13 Dec 1929, sold
8 March 1930.
C-17/PG 31/CL 19 Galveston
Built by Trigg. Laid down 19 Jan 1901, launched 23 July 1903,
commissioned 15 Feb 1905. To PG 7 July 1920, to CL 8 Aug 1921,
decommissioned 30 Nov 1923. Recommissioned 5 Feb 1924.
Decommissioned 2 Sept 1930, stricken 1 Nov 1930, sold 13 Sept 1933.
C-18/PG 32/CL 20 Tacoma
Built by Union. Laid down 27 Sept 1900, launched 2 June 1903,
commissioned 30 Jan 1904. To PG 7 July 1932, to CL 8 Aug 1921.
Wrecked at Vera Cruz 16 Jan 1924, stricken 7 Feb 1924, sold
5 Sept 1924.
C-19/PG 33/CL 21 Cleveland
Built by Bath Iron. Laid down 1 June 1900, launched 28 Sept 1901,
commissioned 2 Nov 1903. Decommissioned 3 Aug 1910, recommissioned
31 Aug 1912, to PG 7 July 1920, to CL 8 Aug 1921. Decommissioned
1 Nov 1929, stricken 13 Dec 1929, sold 7 March 1930.
Displ: 3,437 tons normal
Dim: 354 x 43.5 x 17 ft
Prop: VTE engines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 7,500 hp, 20 knots
Crew: 307
Arm: 6 6/50, 4 4.7/50, 10 6 lb, 4 1 lb, 4 .30 cal, 4 18 inch TT
Armor: 1.25-3.5 inch deck, 4,5 inch gun protection, .75-4 inch CT
Brazilian ships acquired from the builder for the Spanish-
American War. 4.7 inch guns replaced with 5 inch guns in 1903;
6 inch guns replaced with 5 inch in 1907. Changed to 8 5 inch in
1913. Torpedo tubes removed 1903, two 5" removed, 1 3" added
during WWI.
(none)/PG 34/CL 22 New Orleans (ex Amazonas)
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 1895, launched 4 Dec 1896, acquired
1898, commissioned 18 March 1898. Decommissioned 6 Feb 1905,
recommissioned 15 Nov 1909, decommissioned 14 Feb 1912,
recommissioned 31 Dec 1913. Reserve training 1914, to PG
17 July 1920, to CL 8 Aug 1921. Decommissioned 16 Nov 1922,
stricken 13 Nov 1929, sold 11 Feb 1930.
(none)/PG 36/CL 23 Albany (ex Almirante Abreu)
Built by Armstrong. Laid down 1897, acquired 1898, laucnched
14 Jan 1899, commissioned 29 May 1900. Decommissioned 16 June 1904,
recommissioned 10 June 1907, decommissioned December 1914.
Reserve training June 1915 to 12 May 1916, recommissioned
12 May 1916, to PG 7 July 1920, to CL 8 Aug 1921. Decommissioned
10 Oct 1922, stricken 13 Nov 1929, sold 11 Feb 1930.
Displ: 11,512 tons full load
Dim: 585.5 x 65 x 19.5 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 107,000 hp, 32.5 knots
Crew: 653
Arm: 2 triple, 2 dual 8/55, 4 5/25, 6 21 inch TT
Armor: 2.5-4 inch belt, 1-1.75 inch decks, .75-2.5 inch turrets, .75 inch
barbettes, 1.25 inch CT
All became CA 1 July 1931. Top heavy, overloaded later in life.
These ships, as well as the Northampton and Portland classes,
were lightly armored "tinclads". Torpedoes removed
prior to WWII. Final AA armament was 6 quad 40 mm, 28 20 mm.
Stripped of catapults, 4 5 inch, 2 quad 40 mm, 4 twin 20 mm
for Magic Carpet duties.
CL 24/CA 24 Pensacola
Built by New York Navy. Laid down 27 Oct 1926, launched
25 April 1929, commissioned 6 Feb 1930. Severely damaged by
a torpedo and subsequent fires and explosions 29/30 Nov 1942.
Damaged by shore fire at Iwo Jima 17 Feb 1945. One additional
quad 40 mm fitted. Target ship at Bikini July 1946, decommissioned
26 Aug 1946, stricken and hulk sunk 10 Nov 1948.
CL 25/CA 25 Salt Lake City
Built by New York SB. Laid down 9 June 1927, launched
23 Jan 1929, commissioned 11 Dec 1929. Damaged by gunfire
23 March 1943. Was not fully modernized during the war.
Target ship at Bikini July 1946, decommissioned 29 Aug 1946,
hulk sunk 25 May 1948, stricken 18 June 1948.
Displ: 11,826 tons full load
Dim: 600 x 66 x 20 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 107,000 hp, 32.5 knots
Crew: 621
Arm: 3 triple 8/55, 4 5/25, 6 21 inch TT
Armor: 3-3.75 inch belt, 1-2 inch deck, .75-2.5 inch turrets, 1.5 inch
barbettes
All to CA 1 July 1931. Slightly improved Pensacolas,
new aircraft storage arrangements. First three ships
were equipped as flagships. Final AA armament was 6 quad 40 mm,
28 20 mm. These ships were scheduled for disposal in 1946 but
were retained, modernizations were considered in 1952.
CL 26/CA 26 Northampton
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 12 April 1928, launched
5 Sept 1929, commissioned 17 May 1930. Sunk by torpedoes
at Savo 30 Nov 1942.
CL 27/CA 27 Chester
Built by New York SB. Laid down 6 March 1928, launched
3 July 1929, commissioned 24 June 1930. Torpedoed 20 Oct 1942.
One additional quad 40 mm fitted. Decommissioned 10 June 1946,
stricken 1 March 1959, sold 11 Aug 1959, scrapped at Panama City.
CL 28/CA 28 Louisville
Built by Puget Sound Navy. Laid down 4 July 1929, launched
1 Sept 1930, commissioned 15 Jan 1931. Kamikaze 5 & 6 Jan 1945.
One additional quad 40 mm fitted. Decommissioned 17 June 1946,
stricken 1 March 1959, sold 14 Sept 1959, scrapped at Panama City.
CL 29/CA 29 Chicago
Built by Mare Island Navy. Laid down 10 Sept 1928, launched
10 April 1930, commissioned 9 March 1931. Torpedoed 9 Aug 1942,
hit by 2 torpedoes in the Solomons Island 29 Jan 1943, hit by 4 more
30 Jan 1943 while under tow, sunk.
CL 30/CA 30 Houston
Built by Newport News. Laid down 1 May 1928, launched
7 Sept 1929, commissioned 17 June 1930. Sunk by torpedoes
and gunfire in Sunda Strait 1 March 1942.
CL 31/CA 31 Augusta
Built by Newport News. Laid down 2 July 1928, launched
1 Feb 1930, commissioned 30 Jan 1931. Decommissioned 16 July 1946,
stricken 1 March 1959, scrapped at Kearny 4/60.
New Orleans class heavy cruisers
Displ: 12,411 tons full load
Dim: 588 x 62 x 23 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 107,000 hp, 32.7 knots
Crew: 751
Arm: 3 triple 8/55, 8 5/25, 8 .50 cal
Armor: 3-5 inch belt, 1.25-2.25 inch deck, 1.5-8 inch turrets, 5 inch
barbettes, 5 inch CT (6.5 inch barbettes in CA 38)
Became CA 1 July 1931. New design retaining some features
of earlier ships. CA 37 was initially planned as the first
ship of this class, with CA 32-35 planned as Northamptons.
CA 32, 34 and 36 were reordered to the new design early in 1930;
CA 33 and 35 could not be substantially changed, as they were
contracted to private yards. These ships were overweight,
but not as badly as earlier designs. Final AA armament was 6
quad 40 mm, 28 20 mm.
CL 32/CA 32 New Orleans
Built by New York Navy. Laid down 14 March 1931, launched
12 April 1933, commissioned 15 Feb 1934. Torpedoed 30 Nov 1942,
bow ripped off between the forward turrets. Decommissioned
10 Feb 1947, stricken 1 March 1959, sold 22 Sept 1959, scrapped
Baltimore.
Displ: 13,767 tons full load
Dim: 610 x 66 x 22 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 107,000 hp, 32.5 knots
Crew: 952
Arm: 3 triple 8/55, 8 5/25, 8 .50 cal
Armor: 3.25-5 inch belt, 2.5 inch deck, 1.5-2.5 inch turrets, 1.5 inch
barbettes
Became CAs 1 July 1931. Initially planned as Northampton class,
design modified with a modified superstructure and other minor
improvements after contracted. Final AA armament was 6 quad 40 mm,
28 20 mm.
CL 33/CA 33 Portland
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 17 Feb 1930, launched
21 May 1932, commissioned 23 Feb 1933. Damaged by torpedoes
and gunfire 12 Nov 1942. Decommissioned 12 July 1946, planned
for disposal but retained, modernization considered in 1952,
stricken 1 March 1959, sold 6 Oct 1959, scrapped at Panama City.
New Orleans class heavy cruiser
CL 34/CA 34 Astoria
Built by Puget Sound Navy, laid down 1 Sept 1930, launched
16 Dec 1933, commissioned 28 April 1934. Sunk by gunfire
and subsequent magazine explosion while under tow at Savo
9 Aug 1942.
CL 35/CA 35 Indianapolis
Built by New York SB, laid down 21 March 1930, launched
7 Nov 1931, commissioned 15 Nov 1932. Kamikaze 31 March 1945.
Torpedoed and sunk 30 July 1945.
New Orleans class heavy cruisers
CL 36/CA 36 Minneapolis
Built by Philadelphia Navy. Laid down 27 June 1931, launched
6 Sept 1933, commissioned 19 May 1934. Torpedoed 30 Nov 1942.
One additional twin 40 mm added. Kamikaze 6 Jan 1945. Decommissioned
10 Feb 1947, stricken 1 March 1959, sold 14 Aug 1959, scrapped
at Chester 7/60.
CA 37 Tuscaloosa
Built by New York SB. Laid down 3 Sept 1931, launched 15 Nov 1933,
commissioned 7 Aug 1934. Decommissioned 13 Feb 1946, stricken
1 March 1959, sold 25 June 1959, scrapped at Baltimore.
CA 38 San Francisco
Built by Mare Island Navy. Laid down 9 Sept 1931, launched
9 March 1933, commissioned 10 Feb 1934. Severely damaged by
gunfire 12-13 Nov 1942. Decommissioned 10 Feb 1946, stricken
1 March 1959, sold 9 Sept 1959, scrapped at Panama City 5/61.
CA 39 Quincy
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 15 Nov 1933, launched
19 June 1935, commissioned 9 June 1936. This ship and CA 44
were a slightly improved version of the New Orleans class design.
Sunk by gunfire and torpedoes at Savo 9 Aug 1942.
Displ: 12,242 tons full load
Dim: 608 x 61.5 x 22.5 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 100,000 hp, 32.5 knots
Crew: 868
Arm: 5 triple 6/47, 8 5/25, 8 .50 cal
Armor: 3.25-5 inch belt, 2 inch deck, 1.25-6.5 inch turrets, 6 inch barbettes,
2.25-5 inch CT
New design light cruisers. Reconstructions with blisters and
secondary weapons (as Savannah) were ordered for all ships, but
were to be done after severe battle damage. Brooklyn, Philadelphia
and Honolulu were blistered but not rearmed, others were unmodified.
Final AA armament (except Savannah) was 4 quad, 2 twin 40 mm, 18 20 mm.
CL 40 Brooklyn
Built by New York Navy. Laid down 12 March 1935, launched
30 Nov 1936, commissioned 30 Sept 1937. Decommissioned 30 Jan 1946,
to Chile as O'Higgins 9 Jan 1951, stricken 22 Jan 1951.
Damaged by grounding 12 Aug 1975, used as stationary accomodations
ship, refitted 1977-1978, recommissioned. Decomissioned 14 Jan 1992,
sunk 3 Nov 1992 under tow to India for scrapping.
CL 41 Philadelphia
Built by Philadelphia Navy. Laid down 28 May 1935, launched
17 Nov 1936, commissioned 23 Sept 1937. Damaged by guided bomb
in the Mediterranean 11 Sept 1943. Decommissioned 3 Feb 1947, to
Brazil as Barroso 9 Jan 1951, stricken 22 Jan 1951.
Scrapped 1974 at Sao Paulo.
CL 42 Savannah
Built by New York SB. Laid down 31 May 1934 launched 8 May 1937,
commissioned 10 Feb 1938. Severely damaged by a guided bomb
in the Mediterranean 11 Sept 1943. Reconstructed at Philadelphia
Navy 22 Dec 1943 to 4 Sept 1944 with blisters (69 ft beam), 4 dual
5/38, 4 quad, 6 twin 40 mm, 12 20 mm. Decommissioned 22 April 1946,
stricken 1 March 1959, sold 25 Jan 1966, scrapped.
CL 43 Nashville
Built by New York SB. Laid down 24 Jan 1935, launched 2 Oct 1937,
commissioned 6 June 1938. Severe kamikaze damage 13 Dec 1944.
Decommissioned 24 June 1946, to Chile as Capitan Prat 9 Jan 1951.
Decommissioned 1981, renamed Chacabuco 1982, scrapped 1985
in Taiwan.
New Orleans class heavy cruiser
One of two new CAs permitted by the treaty, ordered as a repeat New Orleans.
CA 44 Vincennes
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 2 Jan 1934, launched
21 May 1936, commissioned 24 Feb 1937. Sunk by gunfire and
torpedoes at Savo 9 Aug 1942.
Displ: 13,015 tons full load
Dim: 608 x 61.5 x 23.5 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 6 464 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 100,000 hp, 33.6 knots
Crew: 863
Arm: 3 triple 8/55, 8 5/38, 8 .50 cal
Armor: 4-6 inch belt, 2.25 inch deck, 1.5-8 inch turrets, 7 inch barbettes,
2.25-6 inch CT
Second of two new CAs permitted by the treaty; heavy cruiser version
of the Brooklyn class. Proposed rebuild with blisters, 6 dual 5/38,
6 quad 40 mm, 28 20 mm was never carried out. Final AA armament was
4 quad, 4 twin 40 mm, 20 20 mm.
CA 45 Wichita
Built by Philadelphia Navy. Laid down 28 Oct 1935, launched
16 Nov 1937, commissioned 16 Feb 1939. Decommissioned
3 Feb 1947. Considered for conversion to a missile ship
(Baltimore class used instead), stricken 1 March 1959,
sold 14 Aug 1959, scrapped at Panama City 11/59.
CL 46 Phoenix
Built by New York SB. Laid down 15 April 1935, launched
13 March 1938, commissioned 3 Oct 1938. Decommissioned
3 July 1946, to Argentina as 17 de Octubre 11 Jan 1951,
stricken 27 Jan 1951. Participated in coup 9/1955, renamed
General Belgrano 1956. Sunk by HMS Conqueror 2 May 1982.
CL 47 Boise
Built by Newport News. Laid down 1 April 1935, launched
3 Dec 1936, commissioned 12 Aug 1938. Damaged by gunfire
12 Oct 1942. Decommissioned 1 July 1946, to Argentina as
9 de Julio 11 Jan 1951, stricken 25 Jan 1951.
Participated in coup 9/1955. Decommissioned 1979, scrapped 1983
at Brownsville, TX.
CL 48 Honolulu
Built by New York Navy. Laid down 9 Dec 1935, launched
26 Aug 1937, commissioned 15 June 1938. Torpedoed 12 July 1943
(bow destroyed) and 20 Oct 1944. Decommissioned 3 Feb 1947, stricken
1 March 1959, sold 17 Nov 1959, scrapped at Baltimore.
St. Louis Class light cruisers
Displ: 13,327 tons full load
Dim: 607.5 x 61.5 x 24 ft
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 618 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 100,000 hp, 32.5 knots
Crew: 888
Arm: 5 triple 6/47, 4 dual 5/38, 8 .50 cal
Armor: 3-5 inch belt, 2 inch deck, 1.25-6.5 inch turrets, 6 inch barbettes,
2.25-5 inch CT
Modified Brooklyn class with improved AA armament and new machinery
arrangement.
CL 49 St. Louis
Built by Newport News. Laid down 10 Dec 1936, launched
15 April 1938, commissioned 10 May 1939. Torpedoed 12 July 1943,
bow destroyed. Kamikaze 27 Nov 1944. Decommissioned 20 June 1946,
to Brazil as Tamandare 9 Jan 1951, stricken 22 Jan 1951.
Discarded 28 June 1976, US preservation effort failed, sunk off Capetown
24 Aug 1980 under tow to Kaosiung for scrapping.
CL 50 Helena
Built by New York Navy. Laid down 9 Dec 1936, launched
27 Aug 1939, commissioned 18 Sept 1939. Hit by one torpedo
at Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941. Sunk by torpedoes 6 July 1943,
first hit caused the bow to break off, two additional hits
split the ship nearly in half.
Continued in Part 2
The US Cruiser List
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1995-2000 by Andrew Toppan
Reproduction, reuse or distribution without permission is prohibited