CUS Anchorage (CLA-1941+)

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The Anchorage class utilised a modified hull form of the popular Wichita hull to produce an Anti-aircraft cruiser to go with the Abraham Lincoln class aircraft carriers for AA support. The hull was reduced by removing the aircraft handling facilities. The hull form was modified for extra speed with a slightly larger propulsion system than fitted to the Wichita hull. A total of 10 twin 4.5" turrets were fitted with a healthy 14 guns able to fire on a broadside. These ships became as a secondary function, destroyer killers. The overall displacement reduced from 11,000 ton to 9,000 tons, the drop in weight helped by the reduction of the belt armour from 5" to 2.5".

Four dual purpose directors were fitted which were aided by radar control as soon as this became available. The directors were able to all control one to ten of the turrets depending on the number of targets available. The long forecastle gave notice of the high speed these ships were capable of. On trials all made between 35 and 35.5 knots on one hour full power runs. This speed made them fast enough to act as flotilla cruisers to the destroyer flotillas.

Aft side 4.5" mounting with crew.

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