Portland class cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Portland-class of heavy cruiser
s consisted of two ships built for the United States Navy
in the 1930s: and .
" 10,000-ton heavy cruisers. The general layout followed the Northampton-class, using the same three triple-turret layout for their 8 inches (203 mm) guns. However, the number of 5 inches (127 mm) guns was doubled (8 vs 4) and the torpedo tubes were deleted. After commissioning of the Northamptons it was discovered that they were about a thousand tons lighter than allowed. This was corrected in the design of the Portland-class, using the extra weight for a better protection of the machinery spaces and the magazines. The main difference were measures to reduce topweight. The masts were much lower and the aft tripod mast was much lighter. Both ships were fitted out as flagship
s, providing enough room for an admiral and his staff. They were extensively modified in mid-1943 in a way that was later used to modernize the Northampton-class, making it sometimes difficult to distinguish the classes.
Six ships were originally planned for the Portland-class, but the cruisers CA-32, CA-34, and CA-36 were built using a modified design which became the .
, the Battle of Midway
, and was heavily damaged by a Japanese torpedo in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
on 13 November 1942. On 24 October 1944 she fought in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the last battle between battleships. She was decommissioned soon after the war ended and was sold for scrap in 1959.
Indianapolis hosted President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1933, 1934 and 1936. During World War II she was mainly used to screen aircraft carriers, besides operating in the Aleutians in 1943. In July 1945, Indianapolis carried parts and the enriched uranium
for the atomic bomb Little Boy
to Tinian
island. The cruiser then left for Guam
and was ordered to proceed to Leyte. On 30 July 1945, she was struck by two torpedoes from the Japanese submarine and was sunk, being the last major U.S. warship lost. Due to a communications error, only 316 of Indianapolis´ crew of 1,196 survived.
Heavy cruiser
The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
s consisted of two ships built for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in the 1930s: and .
Design
These ships were planned as a follow-on class to the . The Portland-class was the third U.S. Navy class of "Washington TreatyWashington Naval Treaty
The Washington Naval Treaty, also known as the Five-Power Treaty, was an attempt to cap and limit, and "prevent 'further' costly escalation" of the naval arms race that had begun after World War I between various International powers, each of which had significant naval fleets. The treaty was...
" 10,000-ton heavy cruisers. The general layout followed the Northampton-class, using the same three triple-turret layout for their 8 inches (203 mm) guns. However, the number of 5 inches (127 mm) guns was doubled (8 vs 4) and the torpedo tubes were deleted. After commissioning of the Northamptons it was discovered that they were about a thousand tons lighter than allowed. This was corrected in the design of the Portland-class, using the extra weight for a better protection of the machinery spaces and the magazines. The main difference were measures to reduce topweight. The masts were much lower and the aft tripod mast was much lighter. Both ships were fitted out as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
s, providing enough room for an admiral and his staff. They were extensively modified in mid-1943 in a way that was later used to modernize the Northampton-class, making it sometimes difficult to distinguish the classes.
Six ships were originally planned for the Portland-class, but the cruisers CA-32, CA-34, and CA-36 were built using a modified design which became the .
History
Portland took part in the Battle of the Coral SeaBattle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
, the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
, and was heavily damaged by a Japanese torpedo in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons, The Battle of Friday the 13th, or, in Japanese sources, as the , took place from 12–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles...
on 13 November 1942. On 24 October 1944 she fought in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the last battle between battleships. She was decommissioned soon after the war ended and was sold for scrap in 1959.
Indianapolis hosted President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in 1933, 1934 and 1936. During World War II she was mainly used to screen aircraft carriers, besides operating in the Aleutians in 1943. In July 1945, Indianapolis carried parts and the enriched uranium
Enriched uranium
Enriched uranium is a kind of uranium in which the percent composition of uranium-235 has been increased through the process of isotope separation. Natural uranium is 99.284% 238U isotope, with 235U only constituting about 0.711% of its weight...
for the atomic bomb Little Boy
Little Boy
"Little Boy" was the codename of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 by the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets of the 393rd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, of the United States Army Air Forces. It was the first atomic bomb to be used as a weapon...
to Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
island. The cruiser then left for Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
and was ordered to proceed to Leyte. On 30 July 1945, she was struck by two torpedoes from the Japanese submarine and was sunk, being the last major U.S. warship lost. Due to a communications error, only 316 of Indianapolis´ crew of 1,196 survived.