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Friday 19 August 2016

American heavy cruiser Salt Lake City (CA-25) 1927-1948


Of the Pensacola-class consisted of the Pensacola and the Salt Lake City. Preceded by the St. Louis-class and succeeded by the Northampton-class. Classified as light cruisers although since July 1931 as heavy cruisers while armed with 8” guns. Ordered on 18 December 1924, contract signed on 9 July 1926, supplementary contract signed on 16 April 1927, laid down by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, USA on 9 June 1927, launched on 23 January 1929, sponsored by Miss Helen Budge, commissioned on 11 December 1929,  participated in the nuclear tests at Bikini (Operation Crossroads) on 1 and 25 July 1046, scuttled off the Southern Californian coast on 25 May 1948 and stricken on 18 June 1948. Hull pennants CL-25 and since 1 July 1931 CA-25. Call sign NISK.

Displacement 9.100 (standard)-11.512 (full load) tons and as dimensions 178,5 x 19,8 x 5,9 metres or 585.5 x 65.0 x 19.5 feet. The steam turbines and 8 boilers supplied via 4 screws 107.000 hp allowing a speed of 32,5 knots. Crew numbered 663 men. The armour consisted of a 6,4-10,2cm/2.5-4” thick belt, 2,5-4,4cm/1-1.75” thick decks with gun turrets, barbettes and conning tower protected by respectively 1,9-6,4cm/0.75-2.5”, 19,cm/0.75” and 3,2cm/1.25”. The original armament consisted of 4 planes, 2x2&2x3-20/cm8”/55 cal guns, 8x1-12,7cm/5” /25 guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns and 2x3-53,3cm/21” torpedo tubes. The armament in 1942 was 2x2&2x3-20/cm8”/55 cal guns, 4x1-12,7cm/5” /25 anti aircraft guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns , 4-2,79cm/1.1” /75 anti aircraft guns and 8x1-2cm/0.79” Oerlikon cannons. The armament in 1945 was 2x2&2x3-20/cm8”/55 cal guns, 4x1-12,7cm/5” /25 anti aircraft guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns, 6-quad 4cm/1.6” Bofors guns and 19x1-2cm/0.79” Oerlikon cannons.