NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Columbus 1945

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate	Modification
CA68	Baltimore	1494	Bethlehem, Quincy	26.5.1941	28.7.1942	15.4.1943	stricken 2.1971	Baltimore subclass
CA69, 1.1952- CAG1, 5.1968- CA69	Boston	1495	Bethlehem, Quincy	30.6.1941	26.8.1942	30.6.1943	missile cruiser 1.1952, stricken 4.1974	Baltimore subclass
CA70, 1.1952- CAG2, 5.1968- CA70	Canberra (ex-Pittsburgh)	1496	Bethlehem, Quincy	3.9.1941	19.4.1943	14.10.1943	missile cruiser 1.1952, stricken 7.1978	Baltimore subclass
CA71	Quincy (ex-St. Paul)	1497	Bethlehem, Quincy	9.10.1941	23.6.1943	15.12.1943	stricken 10.1973	Baltimore subclass
CA72	Pittsburgh (ex-Albany)	1504	Bethlehem, Quincy	3.2.1943	22.2.1944	10.10.1944	stricken 7.1973	Baltimore subclass
CA73	St. Paul (ex-Rochester)	1505	Bethlehem, Quincy	3.2.1943	16.9.1944	17.2.1945	stricken 7.1978	Baltimore subclass
CA74, 9.1959- CG12	Columbus	1506	Bethlehem, Quincy	28.6.1943	30.11.1944	8.6.1945	missile cruiser 9.1959, stricken 8.1976	Baltimore subclass
CA75	Helena (ex-Des Moines)	1507	Bethlehem, Quincy	9.9.1943	28.4.1945	4.9.1945	stricken 1.1974	Baltimore subclass
CA130	Bremerton	449	New York SB, Camden	1.2.1943	2.7.1944	29.4.1945	stricken 10.1973	Baltimore subclass
CA131	Fall River	450	New York SB, Camden	12.4.1943	13.8.1944	1.7.1945	stricken 2.1971	Baltimore subclass
CA132	Macon	451	New York SB, Camden	14.6.1943	15.10.1944	26.8.1945	stricken 11.1969	Baltimore subclass
CA133	Toledo	452	New York SB, Camden	13.9.1943	6.5.1945	27.10.1946	stricken 1.1974	Baltimore subclass
CA135	Los Angeles		Philadelphia N Yd	28.7.1943	20.8.1944	22.7.1945	stricken 1.1974	Baltimore subclass
CA136, 11.1958- CG11	Chicago		Philadelphia N Yd	28.7.1943	20.8.1944	10.1.1945	missile cruiser 11.1958, stricken 1.1984	Baltimore subclass
CA122	Oregon City	1544	Bethlehem, Quincy	8.4.1944	9.6.1945	16.2.1946	stricken 11.1970	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA123, 11.1958- CG10	Albany	1545	Bethlehem, Quincy	6.3.1944	30.6.1945	15.6.1946	missile cruiser 11.1958, stricken 6.1985	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA124	Rochester	1546	Bethlehem, Quincy	29.5.1944	28.8.1945	20.12.1946	stricken 10.1973	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CLC1 (ex-CA125), 4.1961- CC1	Northampton	1547	Bethlehem, Quincy	31.8.1944	27.1.1951	7.3.1953	commissioned as command ship, stricken 12.1977	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA126	Cambridge	1548	Bethlehem, Quincy	---	---	---	cancelled 8.1945	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA127	Bridgeport	1549	Bethlehem, Quincy	---	---	---	cancelled 8.1945	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA128	Kansas City	1550	Bethlehem, Quincy	9.7.1945	---	---	cancelled 8.1945	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA129	Tulsa	1551	Bethlehem, Quincy	---	---	---	cancelled 8.1945	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA137	Norfolk		Philadelphia N Yd	27.12.1944	---	---	cancelled 8.1945	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass
CA138	Scranton		Philadelphia N Yd	27.12.1944	---	---	cancelled 8.1945	Oregon City (Baltimore 1942) subclass

Technical data

Data variant	cruisers as commissioned	Boston class CAG	Albany class CG	Northampton
Displacement standard, t	14472	13589	14394	12429
Displacement full, t	17031	17947	18777	17049
Length, m	202.4 wl 205.3 oa	202.4 wl 205.3 oa	202.4 wl 205.8 oa	202.4 wl 206.5 oa
Breadth, m	21.6	21.3	21.3	21.3
Draught, m	7.32 oa	7.60	7.90	7.32 full load
No of shafts	4	4	4	4
Machinery	4 sets General Electric geared steam turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers	4 sets General Electric geared steam turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers	4 sets General Electric geared steam turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers	4 sets General Electric geared steam turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers
Power, h. p.	120000	120000	120000	120000
Max speed, kts	33	33	32	32.8
Fuel, t	oil 1200 - 2250	oil 1448	oil	oil 2969
Endurance, nm(kts)	10000 (15)	7300 (20)	7000 (15)	7000 (20)
Armour, mm	CA68 - 73: belt: 152 - 102, deck: 64, barbettes: 160, turrets: 203 - 38 CA74, 75, 122 - 133, 135 - 138: belt: 152 - 102, deck: 64, barbettes: 160, turrets: 203 - 38, CT: 152 sides, 76 roof	belt: 152 - 102, deck: 64, barbettes: 160, turrets: 203 - 38	belt: 152 - 102, deck: 64	belt: 152 - 102, deck: 64
Armament	CA68 - 71: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 12, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 12 x 4 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 24 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 2 catapults, 4 seaplanes (SOC, OS2U, SO3C) CA72 - 75: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 11 x 4 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 22 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 2 catapults, 2 seaplanes (SOC, OS2U, SO3C, SC) CA122 - 124: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 11 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 10 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, 2 catapults, 2 seaplanes (OS2U, SC) CA130 - 132, 135, 136: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 11 x 4 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 14 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 4, 2 catapults, 2 seaplanes (OS2U, SC) CA133: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 11 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 14 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, 2 catapults, 2 seaplanes (OS2U, SC)	2 x 2 Terrier SAM (144 RIM-2), 2 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 5 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 4 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33	2 x 2 Talos SAM (104 RIM-8), 2 x 2 Tartar SAM (84 RIM-24), 1 x 8 ASROC ASuR (8 RUR-5), 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 30, 2 x 3 - 324 Mk 32 TT (6), helicopter deck	4 x 1 - 127/54 Mk 42, 4 x 2 - 76/70 Mk 37, helicopter deck
Electronic equipment	presumably CA68 - 71: SG-1, SK, Mk 8, 2x Mk 12.22 radars presumably CA72, 73, 130, 136: SG-1, SK-2, SP, Mk 8, 2x Mk 12.22 radars presumably CA74, 75, 122 - 124, 131 - 132, 135: SG-3, SK-2, SP, Mk 13, 2x Mk 12.22 radars	SPS-6, SPS-10, SPS-12, CXRX, 2x SPQ-5, 2x Mk 25 mod 7 radars, SLR-2 ECM suite	SPS-10, SPS-29, 2x SPS-30, SPS-39, 4x SPG-49B / SPW-2, 4x SPG-51C, 2x Mk 35 radars, SQS-23 sonar, WLR-1, WLR-3, ULQ-6 ECM suites, 2x Mk 28 Chaffroc decoy RL	SPS-2, SPS-3, SPS-6, SPS-8A, SPS-10, 2x Mk 34, 4x Mk 35 radars, SLR-2 ECM suite
Complement	2039	1544	1266	1635

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Works on the Baltimore desiign started in September, 1939. War in Europe cancelled all contractual limitations that allowed to return to building of cruisers with 203mm guns. Just completed Wichita was taken for a basis, an unsatisfactory stability was appeared as her unique lack. It was originally supposed to limit by increase in a hull beam at 0.6m, however it has soon been decided to go on more significant change of the project, having strengthened AA armament at the expense of placing of 127/38mm guns in twin turrets on accepted on Cleveland class light cruisers diamond-shaped scheme, and install multi-barrelled automatic guns (originally 4x4 28mm "Chicago pianos", subsequently replaced by 40/56mm Boforses). Also it was provided to lengthen a belt on a waterline. As a result new ship was notably grown: standard displacement has reached 13600t, and almost all gain of displacement was expended to strengthening of AA armament and providing of better seaworthiness and stability. Protection, in comparison with Wichita, practically has not changed: only deck thickness was increased to 65mm and waterline belt was hardly became longer. The immune zone under fire of 203mm guns was stretched from 77.5 to 120 cables. Engine power has been increased by 20%, as in comparison with a prototype displacement rose sharply.

The order for first four ships (СА68-71) had placed in July, 1940; in September the order for next four (СА72-75) followed. Last series of 16 ships (СА122-138) has been ordered in August, 1943. First ship has commissioned only in the spring of 1943, and war experience was considered in her construction, therefore after commissioning ships practically were not modernised throughout war. In 1942 the improved project, differing by reduction of funnels number to one and the improved fire sectors of an antiaircraft artillery has been created. It has been decided to finish on "1942 design" incomplete СА122-129, СА137 and СА138. In the end of war СА134 was re-ordered as new class cruiser with automatic 203mm guns (the future De Moines class), 12.8.1945 orders for CA126-129, CA137 and CA138 were cancelled, СА125 was completed after the war as command ship.

Ship protection

Main belt abreast machinery extended to 1.5m below and 2.86m over waterline. It was 152mm thick (76mm at lower edge) on 16mm STS plating. There were narrow belts abreast magazines. Thickness of these belts was 76mm decreasing to 51mm at lower edge. Magazines were protected by 140mm fore and 127mm aft bulkheads, machinery and magazines were separated by 152mm bulkheads. Armoured deck over main belt was 65mm. Barbettes were 178mm thick. Turrets had 203mm faces, 83-38mm sides, 38mm rears and 76mm crowns. CT was mounted from CA74.

Boston class CAG: Main belt abreast machinery extended to 1.5m below and 2.86m over waterline. It was 152mm thick (76mm at lower edge) on 16mm STS plating. There were narrow belts abreast magazines. Thickness of these belts was 76mm decreasing to 51mm at lower edge. Magazines were protected by 140mm fore and 127mm aft bulkheads, machinery and magazines were separated by 152mm bulkheads. Armoured deck over main belt was 65mm. Barbettes were 178mm thick. Turrets had 203mm faces, 83-38mm sides, 38mm rears and 76mm crowns.

Albany class CG: Main belt abreast machinery extended to 1.5m below and 2.86m over waterline. It was 152mm thick (76mm at lower edge) on 16mm STS plating. There were narrow belts abreast magazines. Thickness of these belts was 76mm decreasing to 51mm at lower edge. Magazines were protected by 140mm fore and 127mm aft bulkheads, machinery and magazines were separated by 152mm bulkheads. Armoured deck over main belt was 65mm.

Modernizations

to 1946, Baltimore, Boston, Canberra, Quincy: - SG-1, SK, Mk 8 radars; + SG-3, SK-2, SP, Mk 13 radars

to 1946, Pittsburgh, St. Paul, Columbus, Helena: - SG-1, Mk 8 radars; + SG-3, Mk 13 radars

1/1946, Baltimore, Boston, Canberra, Quincy: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 12, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 12 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 24 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 2 catapults, 4 seaplanes, SG-3, SK-2, SP, Mk 13, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Pittsburgh, St. Paul, Columbus, Helena: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 11 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 22 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 2 catapults, 2 seaplanes, SG-3, SK-2, SP, Mk 13, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

1/1946, Bremerton, Fall River, Macon, Los Angeles, Chicago: 3 x 3 - 203/55 Mk 15, 6 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 11 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 14 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, 2 catapults, 2 seaplanes, SG-3, SK-2, SP, Mk 13, 2x Mk 12.22 radars

early 1950s, all survived: - SK-2 radar; + SR-6 radar, SLR-2 ECM suite

1952 - 1955, Baltimore, Boston, Canberra, Quincy: - 12 x 4 - 40/60, 24 x 1 - 20/70; + 10 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 27/33

1952 - 1955, Pittsburgh, St. Paul, Columbus, Helena: - 11 x 4 - 40/60, 2 x 2 - 40/60, 22 x 1 - 20/70; + 10 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 27/33

1952 - 1955, Oregon City, Albany, Rochester: - 11 x 4 - 40/60, 2 x 2 - 40/60, 10 x 2 - 20/70; + 10 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 27/33

1952 - 1955, Bremerton, Fall River, Macon, Toledo, Los Angeles, Chicago: - 11 x 4 - 40/60, 2 x 2 - 40/60, 14 x 2 - 20/70; + 10 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 27/33

7/1956, Helena: - 1 x 2 - 76/50; + 3 x 1 Regulus I CruM launchers (3 RGM-6)

3/1956-1958, Macon, Toledo, Los Angeles: - 3 x 2 - 76/50; + 3 x 1 Regulus I CruM launchers (3 RGM-6)

late 1950s, all survived: - SG-3, SR-6 radars; + SPS-6 or SPS-12, SPS-8, SPS-10 radars, ULQ-6 ECM suite

1960-1969, Baltimore, Quincy, Pittsburgh, St. Paul, Bremerton, Fall River, Oregon City, Rochester: - (3 - 4) x 2 - 76/50

1960-1963, Helena, Macon, Toledo, Los Angeles: - 3 x 1 Regulus I CruM launchers (3 RGM-6)

1960s, many survived: - SPS-6 radar, SLR-2 ECM suite; + SPS-37A radar, WLR-1 ECM suite

11/1955, Boston; 6.1956, Canberra were modernized as given in the table.

1950s, Boston, Canberra: - CXRX radar; + SPS-8 radar

to 1966, Boston, Canberrs: - SPS-6, SPS-8, SPS-12 radars, SLR-2 suite; + SPS-37A, SPS-30 radars, WLR-1, ULQ-6 ECM suites

1968, Boston, Canberra: - 2 x 2 Terrier SAM launchers, 2x SPQ-5 radars

11/1962, Albany; 12.1962, Columbus; 5.1964, Chicago were fully reconstructed as given in the table.

1969, Albany: - SPS-29, SPS-39 radars; + SPS-43A, SPS-48 radars

1970, Albany: + SLQ-19A ECM suite

1973, Chicago: - SPS-29, SPS-39 radars; + SPS-43A, SPS-52 radars, SLQ-26 ECM suite, NTDS CCS

1970s, Columbus: - SPS-29, SPS-39 radars; + SPS-43A radar

1975, Albany: - SPS-30 radar; + NTDS CCS

1980, Albany, Chicago: Talos SAMs and SPG-49B/SPQ-2 radars were made unoperable.

NORTHAMPTON was completed as command ship with data as given in the table.

1963, Northampton: - 4 x 2 - 76/70, SPS-2 radar, SLR-2 ECM suite; + SPS-37 radar, WLR-1, ULQ-6 ECM suites

1970s, Northampton: - 3 x 1 - 127/54

Naval service

Canberra 13.10.1944 was damaged by Japanese air torpedo and returned to service in October, 1945. Pittsburgh 5.6.1945 was badly damaged during a typhoon (she lost fore end till No1 turret) and was under repair till September, 1945.