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, awarded on 7 March 1925 with a supplementary contract signed on 9 July 1926, laid down at the New York Navy Yard, USA on 27 October 1926, launched on 25 April 1929, sponsored by Mrs. Joseph L. Seligman, completed on 9 July 1929, commissioned on 6 February 1930, survived the nuclear tests at Bikini (Operation Crossroads) on 1 and 25 July 1946, decommissioned on 26 August 1946 and scuttled off the Washington coast on 10 November 1948. Pennants CL-24 and since 1 July 1931 CA-24. Call sign NIJS.
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 1.200 men. 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, 7-quad 4cm/1.6” Bofors guns and 9x2-2cm/0.79” Oerlikon cannons. 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”.
