USS Atlanta (CLA-1944)

 

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Operations with the Omaha class AA conversions, sold the US Navy on the type. As AA escorts and destroyer killers they were exceptional. A slightly bigger, more capable ship was envisaged with one more turret than the Omaha type and for the first time in ten years, the Atlanta class would be completed with torpedo tubes. Originally designed with four sets of torpedo tubes, before the Atlanta was even near completion the forward sets had been removed to offset the radar that had been added to the masts and directors.



These ships fought topweight issues all their careers. The original design had eight twin 5" with an extra pair fitted beside the aft superstructure. These were early deletions as the extra weight so far out on the beam of the ship would have them rolling on wet grass (as the saying goes). They were replaced with an extra pair of twin 40mm.

Despite all the issues with the ships, the men who crewed them, liked them.


 

Displacement 6,250 tons standard, 8,000 tons full load
Length 540 ft
Breadth 53 ft
Draught 18 ft
Machinery 4 shaft, steam turbines, 80,000 shp
Speed 34 knots
Range 8000 miles at 14 knots
Armour 2.5" side, 1.5" deck
Armament As completed
12 x 5" (6x2)
12 x 40mm (6x2)
8 x .20mm (8x1)
Torpedoes 8 x 21" (2x4)
Complement 670


The topweight problems with the class meant that they did not last long in service past the end of WW2. The ships did not have the size to allow them to be upgraded into the missile age that the other cruisers of the time had.



 

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