Northampton class cruiser
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
.jpg/300px-USS_Northampton_(CA-26).jpg) USS Northampton (CA-26) |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Northampton class cruiser |
| Operators: |  United States Navy |
| Preceded by: | Pensacola-class cruiser |
| Succeeded by: | Portland-class cruiser (Heavy Cruiser) Brooklyn-class cruiser (Light Cruiser) |
| Completed: | 6 |
| Lost: | 3 |
| Retired: | 3 |
| Preserved: | 0 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Heavy Cruiser |
| Displacement: | 9,050 tons |
| Length: | 600 ft 3 in (182.9 m) |
| Beam: | 66 ft 1 in (20.1 m) |
| Draft: | 16 ft 4 in (5.0 m) |
| Propulsion: | 4-shaft Parsons turbines 8 White-Forster boilers 4 Screws 107000 Horsepower |
| Speed: | 32.5 knots (60 km/h) |
| Complement: | 621 Officer: 55 Enlisted: 566 |
| Armament: | 3 triple 8-inch/55 Mk10/11 guns 4 single 5-inch/25 Mk10 guns 2 triple 21-inch torpedo tubes 6 quad 40mm/56 Mk1/2 AA guns 28 single 20mm/70 Mk2/3/4 AA guns |
| Armor: | Belt 3" over machinery with 1" deck 3.75" side and 2" deck over magazines barbettes 1.5" gunhouses 2.5" face 2" roof 0.75" side and rear |
| Aircraft carried: | 2 |
The Northampton class of United States Navy cruisers was a reaction to the weight and cost of the Pensacola class, with 3 triple mounted 8 inch gun turrets and slightly heavier armor. Although armor was increased in comparison with the preceding Pensacola class, the Northampton's turned out being even lighter; nearly 1,000 tons below the treaty limitations. Freeboard was increased by adopting a high forecastle, which was extended aft in the last three for use as flagships. These ships were also the first U.S. ships to adopt a hangar for aircraft, and bunks instead of hammocks. Their lighter than expected weight also caused them to roll excessively which necessitated the fitting of deep bilge keels.
The Navy built six cruisers of this class:
- Northampton (CA-26)
- Chester (CA-27)
- Louisville (CA-28)
- Chicago (CA-29)
- Houston (CA-30)
- Augusta (CA-31)
All of these saw much action and took heavy losses in World War II.
The Portland class was essentially a modified Northampton.
[edit] External links
- Global Security.org - Northampton class cruiser
- Global Security.org - Northampton class cruiser specifications
|
||||||||
