The Fifth Des Moines: A Look at U.S. Navy Cruisers
While the city of Des Moines is well-known, the name has also been associated with a class of heavy cruisers in the United States Navy. The Des Moines-class cruisers were powerful warships built in the late 1940s, representing the pinnacle of U.S. heavy cruiser design. No fifth ship of the Des Moines class was ever commissioned.
Des Moines-Class Cruisers: An Overview
The Des Moines-class were the last of the U.S. Navy’s heavy cruisers built. Three ships were ultimately commissioned: the USS Des Moines (CA-134), USS Salem (CA-139), and USS Newport News (CA-148). They were designed primarily as anti-aircraft cruisers, but possessed significant surface combat capabilities as well. The ships featured rapid-firing 8-inch guns and advanced radar systems for the time.
Key Features
The most distinctive feature of the Des Moines-class was their automatic 8-inch guns, capable of firing at a much higher rate than previous cruiser guns. This gave them formidable firepower against aircraft and surface targets. They also had a large complement of 5-inch and smaller guns for close-range defense.
Why Only Three?
A total of twelve Des Moines-class cruisers were originally planned, but only three were completed and commissioned. The end of World War II and changing naval strategy contributed to the cancellation of the remaining nine ships. The rise of carrier aviation and guided missiles led to a shift in naval priorities, making large-gun cruisers less essential. Further reading on the history of these ships can be found on Wikipedia’s Des Moines-class cruiser page.
Service History
The three completed ships served actively in the U.S. Navy from the late 1940s until the 1970s. They participated in various Cold War operations and deployments around the world. The Salem is now a museum ship in Quincy, Massachusetts, while the Des Moines and Newport News were eventually scrapped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main purpose of the Des Moines-class cruisers?
Their main purpose was to provide anti-aircraft defense for carrier task forces and to serve as powerful surface combatants.
Why weren’t all twelve Des Moines-class cruisers built?
Changing naval strategy after World War II and the rise of air power led to the cancellation of the remaining nine ships.
Are any Des Moines-class cruisers still in existence?
Yes, the USS Salem is preserved as a museum ship in Quincy, Massachusetts.
What made the 8-inch guns on the Des Moines-class unique?
They were fully automatic, allowing for a much higher rate of fire compared to previous cruiser guns.
When were the Des Moines-class cruisers decommissioned?
They were decommissioned in the 1970s.
Summary
The Des Moines-class cruisers were the final and most advanced heavy cruisers built by the United States. Although plans for twelve ships were made, only three were commissioned, as their planned role became less relevant. They represented the height of large-gun cruiser design before naval warfare shifted towards air power and guided missiles.
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