CSS Nicaragua (CA-1941)

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Based on the hull of the Los Angeles class cruisers (and their follow ups) the Nicaragua class was ordered as the Confederate States Navies standard heavy cruiser for the 1940's. The Norfolk class while being magnificent ships were also very costly to build and it was felt a ship with nine main guns would be just as usefull. The first two ships were ordered in 1937, with two more in 1939. With the outbreak of war another order for four more ships was placed in 1940, with another 4 in 1941, 1942 and 1943. Of the orders for the final 12 ships, eight were converted while building to the Midway class light aircraft carriers (CVL's).

Built for speed these ships were far superior to the Los Angeles class they were based on as they were able to work 30% more standard displacement into the design and ten years of superior propulsion technology. The secondary armament stayed with the 5.1" of the Norfolks and for the first time in a CSN cruiser the quadruple turret was used, in the X position. 40mm and 20mm cannons were fitted wherever space could be found and a set of torpedoes on each beam completed the armament. No aircraft handling facilities were fitted.

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