Wichita class cruiser
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 USS Wichita (CA-45) |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Wichita class cruiser |
| Operators: |  United States Navy |
| Preceded by: | New Orleans-class cruiser |
| Succeeded by: | Baltimore-class cruiser |
| Completed: | 1 |
| Retired: | 1 |
| Preserved: | 0 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Heavy Cruiser |
| Displacement: | 12100 (standard) 13015 (full) |
| Length: | 608 ft 4 in (185.4 m) |
| Beam: | 61 ft 9 in (18.8 m) |
| Draft: | 19 ft 10 in (mean) (6.0 m) |
| Propulsion: | Steam turbines 6 x 464psi boilers 4 screws 100,000 shp; |
| Speed: | 32.5 knots (max) (60 km/h) |
| Complement: | 863 Officer: 75 Enlisted: 788 |
| Armament: | 3 triple 8-inch/55 Mk12 guns 4 twin 5-inch/38 Mk12 guns 8 single .50-cal MG (as built) 4 quad, 4 twin 40mm/56 Mk1/2 AA guns 20 single 20mm/70 Mk2/3/4 AA guns |
| Armor: | 4-6 inch belt 2.25 inch deck 1.5-8 inch turrets 7 inch barbettes 2.25-6 inch CT |
| Aircraft carried: | 2 scout aircraft |
| Aviation facilities: | 2 catapults no hangars |
The Wichita class cruiser was a class of heavy cruiser used by the United States Navy. The single ship of the class was the USS Wichita (CA-45).
[edit] Class history
What was to become the Wichita class cruiser was conceived as another Brooklyn class cruiser. However, the design was altered and the Wichita class became a bridge between pre-war and World War II designed heavy cruisers.
The differences between the pre-war heavy cruiser classes and the Wichita class are numerous. The hull was longer than previous cruisers and the hull design foreshadowed the Baltimore class cruiser that was to follow during the war year. Smaller compartments and increased protection were added with the thought of increased stability and survivability for the ship. Weapons were improved and the Wichita's 8 inch turrets incorporated the ability to load and fire the guns separately. Also, the Wichita had aircraft facilities mounted aft which was incorporated in later cruiser classes as well.
The following class of cruiser, the Baltimore-class, started as an improved Wichita class before being given it's own class designation.
