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, awarded on 9 January 1933, laid down at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA on 15 November 1933, launched on 19 June 1935, commissioned on 9 June 1936 and sunk in the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942. Contracted building costs 8.196.000 US dollars.
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 Parsons geared turbines and 8 Babcock&Wilcox boilers delivering 107.000 hp allowing with the 4 screws a speed of 32,7 knots. Crew numbered 708 men. Original armament consisted of 3x3-20,3cm/8” /55cal guns, 8-12,7cm/5” /25 cal anti aircraft guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9?3p saluting guns and 8-0.50” machineguns. Carried 4 float planes for which 2 catapults were launched amidships. In 1942 were the 0.50” machineguns replaced by 12x1-2cm/0.79” Oerlikon anti aircraft cannons and 4-quad 2,8cm/1.1”/ 75 cal anti aircraft guns. The armour consisted of a 7,6cm/3”-12,7cm/5” thick belt, a 3,2cm/1.25”-5,7cm/2.25” thick deck with the turrets, barbettes and conning tower protected by respectively 3,8cm/1.5”-20,3cm/8”, 12,7cm/5” and conning tower 12m7cm/5”.
