USS Minneapolis
Part of the New Orleans-class consisting of the New Orleans, Astoria, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, San Francisco, Quincy and Vincennes, preceded by the Portland-class and succeeded by the Wichita. Originally called the Astoria-class but renamed after the losses in 1942 and the following modernisation of the remaining ships. Due to the limited displacement as a result of the Washington Naval Treaty (1922) was she known as a so-called Treaty cruiser classified as light cruiser but later reclassified as heavy cruiser due to the calibre of her main guns. There were three different designs for the ships in this class, namely for the New Orleans, Astoria and Minneapolis (all 3 originally laid down as Portland-class cruisers), the Tuscaloosa and San Francisco and the Quincy and Vincennes.
Building ordered on 13 February 1929, building awarded on 12 July 1929, start building period on 2 June 1930, actually laid down at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, USA on 27 June 1931, launched by Miss Grace L. Newton on 6 September 1933, classified CA-36 on 1 July 1931, commissioned on 19 May 1934, decommissioned on 10 February 1947, stricken on 1 March 1959 and sold to Union Metals and Alloys Corporation be broken up on 14 August 1959.
Building ordered on 13 February 1929, building awarded on 12 July 1929, start building period on 2 June 1930, actually laid down at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, USA on 27 June 1931, launched by Miss Grace L. Newton on 6 September 1933, classified CA-36 on 1 July 1931, commissioned on 19 May 1934, decommissioned on 10 February 1947, stricken on 1 March 1959 and sold to Union Metals and Alloys Corporation be broken up on 14 August 1959.
General technical specifications for this class. Displacement 10.110 (standard)-12.663 (loaded) tons and as dimensions 175 (between perpendiculars)-179,27 (over all) x 18,82 x 5,92-7,16 (maximum) metres or 574-588’2” x 61’9” x 19’5”-23’6”. The machinery consisted of 4 Westinghouse geared turbines and 8 Babcock&Wilcox boilers supplying via 4 screws 107.000 ship allowing a speed of 32,7 knots. Fuel oil bunker capacity 1.650 tons. Crew numbered 919 men (including 102 officers). The original armament consisted of 3x2-20cm/8” /55 cal guns, 8-13cm/5” /25 cal anti aircraft guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns and 8-1,3cm/0.50” machineguns. For the 4 aircraft she could carry with her were amidships 2 catapults mounted; in 1945 remained just one. The armament consisted in 1945 of 3x2-20cm/8” /55 cal guns, 8-13cm/5” /25 cal anti aircraft guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns, 7x404cm/1’6” Bofors anti aircraft guns and 9-dual 2cm/0.79” Oerlikon anti aircraft cannons.
