Alaska-class (CB-1)

Summary

Description

The Alaska class consisted of six large cruisers ordered for the U.S. Navy prior to World War II, with only two, Alaska and Guam, completed and serving toward the end of the war. Although they were classified by the U.S. Navy as "large cruisers" (CB), they have sometimes been referred to as battlecruisers, a classification not officially recognized by the U.S. Navy for these ships. They were named after U.S. territories to reflect their intermediate status between larger battleships and smaller cruisers.

The concept for these ships originated in the early 1930s to counter Germany's Deutschland-class cruisers. The design process was complex, with many changes and multiple layout proposals, resulting in ships with large guns, limited armor protection against certain caliber shells, and capable machinery to attain speeds of approximately 31–33 knots.

The main armament included nine 12-inch guns in three triple turrets. The secondary battery comprised twelve 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose guns, while the anti-aircraft armament consisted of 56 40mm Bofors guns and 34 20mm Oerlikon cannons. Only Alaska and Guam received this armament, with the incomplete Hawaii and the three canceled ships, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Samoa, never outfitted.

In service, Alaska and Guam were assigned to Cruiser Division 16, playing roles in shore bombardment and serving as fast carrier escorts. They engaged in operations such as protecting the carrier Franklin and participating in raids during the Okinawa campaign. Post-war, both ships were involved in show-the-flag operations before being decommissioned and mothballed in 1947 after brief service periods of 32 and 29 months, respectively.

Besides their active service, considerations were made to potentially convert the Alaska class ships into aircraft carriers due to similarities in design with the Essex-class carriers. However, this plan was abandoned due to the limitations in flight deck length, lower operating range, and the lack of extensive underwater protection.

The incomplete Hawaii was briefly considered for conversion to a guided-missile cruiser and later a command ship, but both proposals were eventually discarded. Hawaii was scrapped in 1959. Moreover, a proposal to convert Alaska and Guam into guided-missile cruisers in 1958 was deemed too expensive, leading to their removal from the Naval Vessel Register in 1960 and subsequent scrapping.

The designation of the Alaska class has sparked debate over whether they should be considered cruisers or battlecruisers. Despite the U.S. Navy's intent to classify them as large cruisers, their size, armor, and armament bore resemblance to contemporary battleships, leading to occasional references as battlecruisers in the literature and media. However, their classification as "large cruisers" was upheld due to their cruiser-like operational capabilities and the absence of comprehensive underwater protection systems.

Technical specifications

Photo of Alaska class