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| Country:
USA |
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Type: Heavy cruiser |
| Service:
1930 - 1946 |
| Laid down: 27 October 1926 |
| Launched: 25 April 1929 |
| Commissioned: 26 August 1946 |
| Fate: Sunk 10 November 1948 |
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The Pensacola class of United States Navy heavy cruisers were the first treaty cruisers, designed under the limitations set by the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922, which limited cruisers to a maximum of 10,000 tons displacement and a maximum main battery caliber of 8 inches. In an effort to remain within treaty limits, while still mounting a very heavy main battery of ten 8 inch guns, the hull was of welded construction, and the armor belt was thin. The Navy only built two ships in this class before switching to the Northampton class design. Many of the deficiencies of the Pensacola-class were corrected by reducing the main battery to three triple turrets.
USS Pensacola (CL/CA-24) of the United States Navy was the lead ship of her class of heavy cruiser. She was laid down by the New York Navy Yard 27 October 1926, launched 25 April 1929 and commissioned 6 February 1930. USS Pensacola was operational during the interwar period. During World War II, she participated in various campaigns in the Pacific Theater. USS Pensacola was severely damaged at the Battle of Tassafaronga 1942. By the end of 1943, she was again active in the Pacific until the Japanese surrender. Postwar, the USS Pensacola was a target ship for atomic tests at Bikini in 1946. The effects of the blasts on the ship were studied after which, on 10 November 1948, she was sunk.
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