They had a scaled-down version of battleship-type armament, and could "theoretically run away from an encounter with a battleship," Walsh adds. The armor of these cruisers was thinner than battleship armor but still protected their vital areas. According to Walsh, the creation of the "first class" or armored cruiser came from the need for a larger ship with substantial armor, like a battleship but faster and with more endurance. Ships of the Pennsylvania Class included Pennsylvania (ACR 4), later renamed Pittsburgh West Virginia (ACR 5), later renamed Huntington California (ACR 6), later renamed San Diego Colorado (ACR 7), later renamed Pueblo Maryland (ACR 8), later renamed Frederick and South Dakota (ACR 9), later renamed Huron. ![]() ![]() Pennsylvania Class ships were a group of six armored cruisers built between 19. "They were more suitable for the sea denial and counter-sea denial missions that required high speed and long range gunfire, where a protective deck might help more than a waterline belt," writes Walsh. According to Sean Walsh, lead author of NAVSEA report, "A Historical Review of Cruiser Characteristics, Roles, and Missions" protected cruisers were faster than armored cruisers but did not have as much endurance. Like the ships of the Atlanta Class, ships of the Newark Class were protected cruisers. Olympia is the last surviving ship of this class and is part of the Historic Naval Ships Association. Ships in this class included Newark (C 1) Charleston (C 2), Baltimore (C 3), Philadelphia (C 4), San Francisco (C 5), and Olympia (C 6). With its lead ship commissioned in 1891, the Newark Class ships were the first modern cruisers in the U.S. These protected cruisers, also known as "second class" cruisers, had less armor and were generally smaller than the later armored cruisers. She was armed with two 8-inch 30 caliber guns, six 6-inch 30 caliber guns, two 6-pounder guns, two 3-pounder cannons, two 1-pounder cannons, and two. Atlanta II, in particular, was 288 feet in length and could travel at a speed of 16.33 knots. The construction of these cruisers marked the beginning of the transition from wood and sail to steel and steam. They were also the first equipped with modern breechloading guns. ![]() These protected cruisers were the first steel warships of the "New Navy" of the 1880s. With this in mind, the 1884 Navy Appropriation Act authorized construction of the cruisers Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. USS ATLANTA, USS CHICAGO, USS YORKTOWN, and USS BOSTON with USS CHICAGO (1889-1928)Īs the ships of the world's navies evolved, sail propulsion and wooden hulls were being phased out and steel ships were being phased in. Tell us which classes we left off and why they were great too! From their original functions in blockade enforcement, commerce raiding, scouting, and sea-denial to their current role as carrier strike group offense and protection, we highlight some of the more notable classes of cruisers to show how the evolution of these warships made them the powerful force they are today.Īs with any list like this, it's impossible to capture all classes of cruisers to have served in the U.S. This multi-mission warships can not only protect fleets against aircraft, but with their sophisticated guided-missile and gunnery systems, they can take out virtually any target in the air, on and under the sea, or ashore. Cruisers, like destroyers and frigates, are often called the "support vessels" of a battle group, but they are certainly capable of operating on their own.
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