Des Moines class cruiser

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Des Moines class cruiser
The Des Moines class cruisers were a group of U.S. Navy heavy cruisers, commissioned in 1948–1949. They were the last of the all-gun heavy cruisers, exceeded in size in the American navy only by the Alaska-class cruisers.

Derived from the Baltimore-class heavy cruisers, they were larger, had an improved machinery layout, and carried a new design of auto-loading, rapid-fire 8"/55 gun (the Mk16). The improved Mk16 guns of the main battery were the first auto-loading 8" guns fielded by the US Navy, and allowed a much higher rate of fire than earlier designs, capable of sustaining seven shots per minute per barrel, or about twice that of the Mk12s found on the Baltimore class. The auto-loading mechanism could function at any elevation, giving even these large-caliber guns some anti-aircraft ability. While the secondary battery of six twin 5"/38 Mk12 DP guns was essentially unchanged from the preceding Oregon City and Baltimore class cruisers, the Des Moines class carried a stronger battery of small-caliber anti-aircraft guns, including 12 twin 3-inch/50 Mk27 and later Mk33 guns, superior to the earlier ships' quad-mounted 40mm Bofors.
Des Moines class cruiser

Des Moines class cruiser
Name: Des Moines class heavy cruiser
Operators: US flag 48 stars.svg United States Navy
Preceded by: Oregon City class cruiser
Succeeded by: None
In commission: 1948–1975
Completed: 3
Cancelled: 9
Retired: 3
Preserved: 1
General characteristics
Type: Heavy cruiser
Displacement: 17,000 long tons (17,273 t)
Length: 716 ft 6 in (218.39 m)
Beam: 76 ft 6 in (23.32 m)
Draft: 22 ft (6.7 m)
Propulsion: 4 shafts
General Electric turbines
4 boilers
120,000 shp (89,000 kW)
Speed: 33 kn (61 km/h)
Range: 10,500 nmi at 15 knots
19,400 km at 28 km/h
Complement: 1,799 officers and enlisted
Armament:
  • 9 × 8 inch/55 caliber guns
  • 12 × 5 inch/38 caliber guns
  • 24 × 3 inch/50 caliber guns
  • 12 × 20 mm Oerlikon cannons
Armor: 6 in (150 mm) Belt
8 in (200 mm) Turrets
312 in (89 mm) Deck
612 in (170 mm) Conning Tower

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