American heavy cruiser USS New Orleans (CA-32) 1931-1959

 

Dutch magazine Onze Vloot dated July 1934

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 to shipyard on 12 July 1929, building period started on 2 June 1930, laid down at the New York Navy Yard on 14 March 1931, launched on 12 April 1933, commissioned on 15 February 1934, decommissioned on 10 February 1946, stricken on 1 March 1959 and sold to be broken up on 22 September 1959. Hull pennants CL-32, CA-32 and call sign NABJ. Limited building costs 12 million 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 Westinghouse 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”/3pd saluting guns and 8-0.50” machineguns. Could carry 4 floatplanes for which catapults were mounted amidships. In 1945 consisted the armament of 3x3-20,3cm/8” /55cal guns, 8-12,7cm/5” /25 cal anti aircraft guns, 2-4,7cm/1.9”/3pd saluting guns, 6-quad 4cm/1.6” Bofors anti aircraft guns and 28x102cm/0.79” Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons. 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”.