_underway_on_1_July_1951_(NH_96890).jpg) USSJuneau on 1 July 1951 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Juneau class |
| Builders | Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company |
| Operators |  United States Navy |
| Preceded by | Atlanta class |
| Succeeded by | CL-154 class (not built) |
| Built | 1944–1946 |
| In commission | 1946–1955 |
| Completed | 3 |
| Retired | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Light cruiser |
| Displacement | 6,500 tons (standard); 8,450 tons (loaded) |
| Length | 541 ft 0 in (164.9 m) |
| Beam | 52 ft 10 in (16.1 m) |
| Draft | 20 ft 6 in (6.2 m) |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 32.7 knots (60.6 km/h; 37.6 mph) |
| Range | 6,440 nmi (11,930 km; 7,410 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 ×lifeboats |
| Complement | 742 |
| Sensors & processing systems |
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| Armament |
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| Armor |
|
TheJuneau-class cruisers were a class ofUnited States Navylight cruisers that were modified versions of theAtlanta-classcruiser design. The ships had the same dual-purpose main armament asUSS Oakland (herself a modifiedAtlanta-class) with a much heavier secondaryanti-aircraft battery, while the anti-submarinedepth charge tracks andtorpedo tubes were removed along with a redesigned superstructure to reduce weight and increase stability. Three ships were ordered and built, all completed shortly after World War II, but onlyJuneau remained active long enough to see action during theKorean War.
TheAtlanta-classcruisers increased wartime complement and armament; and the loss ofAtlanta andJuneau (here referring to theJuneau of theAtlanta-class, not to be confused with the lead ship of theJuneau-class) revealed weaknesses in their stability and hull integrity of the ships which was addressed in a 1942 redesign at the same time as the modifiedCleveland-class cruiser, theFargo-class cruiser. The ships had the same main armament asOakland, but the bridge and superstructure were redesigned to remove weight and increase visibility, and the reduction in weight allowed increased antiaircraft guns to be added; however, the weight of this additional armament negated the redesign's weight saving and stability goals even prior to launch.[1] Watertight integrity was improved by removing doors on the lowest decks of the ship between bulkheads. In addition, all theanti-submarine armament was removed, along with the torpedo battery.[2]
The main gun battery of theJuneau class was composed of six dual5-inch/38 caliber (127 mm) gun mounts (twelve 5-inch guns).[3] The class was designed with a secondary anti-aircraft armament of thirty-two40 mm anti-aircraft guns, and sixteen20 mm rapid-fire anti-aircraft cannon with high-explosive shells.[4] After the war, the ships were planned under projectSCB 74D to convert to a3 in (76 mm) secondary armament to replace the40 mm guns, but onlyJuneau was converted.[5][6]
The class was powered by the same equipment as theAtlanta class: four 665 psi (4,590 kPa) boilers, connected to two geared steam turbines producing 75,000 hp (56 MW), and the ships could maintain a top speed of 33.6 knots (62 km/h). On trialJuneau made 32.48 knots (60 km/h) at 78,985shaft horsepower (58,899 kW). The ships of theJuneau class had the same armor as theAtlanta class: a maximum of 3.75 in (95.3 mm) on their sides, with the 5-inch gun mounts being protected by 1.25 in (31.8 mm) and the conning tower by 2.5 inches (64 mm).[4] The ships were originally designed for 47 officers and 695 men.[7]
Three ships were built and none of the ships served during World War II; the lead ship of this class,Juneau (CL-119) which was named after the war lossJuneau (CL-52), was launched on 15 July 1945 and commissioned on 15 February 1946.Spokane was launched on 22 September 1945, and commissioned on 17 May 1946.Fresno was launched on 5 March 1946 and commissioned on 27 November 1946.[8]
Spokane andFresno were decommissioned in 1949 and 1950 prior to the start of theKorean War, butJuneau, at this point redesignated as an anti-aircraft cruiser CLAA-119, participated in the conflict. On 2 July 1950,Juneau, along withHMS Jamaica, andHMS Black Swan were attacked by four torpedo boats and two motor gunboats of theNorth Korean Navy, and the combined firepower of the Anglo-American ships sank three enemy torpedo boats and both gunboats nearChumonchin Chan.[9] She was decommissioned in 1955, shortly after the war ended. All three ships were considered for refitting as guided missile cruisers or ASW ships but ultimately were sold for scrap in the 1960s.[10]
| Ship name | Hull No. | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | CL-119 | Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company,Kearny, New Jersey | 15 September 1944 | 15 July 1945 | 15 February 1946 | 23 July 1955 | Struck 1 November 1959; Sold for scrap on 29 April 1960 to Union Metals & Alloys Corp., New York, New York |
| Spokane | CL-120 | 15 November 1944 | 22 September 1945 | 17 May 1946 | 27 February 1950 | Struck 15 April 1972; Sold for scrap on 17 May 1973 | |
| Fresno | CL-121 | 12 February 1945 | 5 March 1946 | 27 November 1946 | 17 May 1949 | Struck April 1965; Sold for scrap on 17 June 1966 |
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.