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USSLong Beach on 9 May 1973
Class overview
Builders	Bethlehem Steel Co.,Fore River Shipyard,Quincy, Massachusetts
Preceded by	Providence class
Succeeded by	Albany class
Built	1957–1961
In commission	1961–1995
Completed	1
Retired	1
History
United States
Name	Long Beach
Namesake	Long Beach
Ordered	15 October 1956
Laid down	2 December 1957
Launched	14 July 1959
Sponsored by	Mrs. Marian Swanson-Hosmer
Acquired	1 September 1961
Commissioned	9 September 1961
Decommissioned	1 May 1995 (deactivated on 2 July 1994)
Reclassified	As CGN-9 1 July 1958
Stricken	1 May 1995
Motto	Strike Hard, Strike Home
Fate	A 423 ft (129 m) section of the hull (propulsion block) remain at PSNS as of May 2018.
General characteristics
Type	Nuclear-poweredguided missile cruiser
Displacement	15,540 tons
Length	721 ft 3 in (219.84 m)
Beam	71 ft 6 in (21.79 m)
Draft	30 ft 7 in (9.32 m)
Propulsion	2C1W nuclear reactors; 2 General Electric turbines; 80,000 shp (60 MW); 2 propellers
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h)
Range	Unlimited (nuclear)
Complement	1,160 officers and men
Sensors and processing systems	1AN/SPS-10 surface search radar[1] AN/SPS-12 search radar[1] AN/SPS-32 bearing and range radar[1] AN/SPS-33 target tracking radar[1] AN/SPS-48 3D air search radar AN/SPS-49 2D air search radar 2 ×AN/SPG-49 Talos fire control radar[1][2] 4 ×AN/SPG-55 Terrier fire control radar[1][2] AN/SQS-23 SONAR[1]
Electronic warfare & decoys	AN/SLQ-32SRBOC
Armament	2 × twin Mk-10 launchers withTerrierSAMs (later replaced withStandard ER SAMs) 1 × twin Mk-12 launcher withTalos SAMs (later removed) 1 × 8-cellASROC launcher 2 ×5 in (127 mm)guns 2 × Mk-15 Vulcan-Phalanx 20mm CIWS 2 × triple 12.75 inch ASWtorpedo tubes forMk 44 orMk 46 ASW torpedoes Launchers for 8Harpoon missiles added later 2 Armored Box Launchers for a total of eightTomahawk cruise missiles replaced the Talos launcher
Aviation facilities	Landing pad available for onehelicopter

USSLong Beach (CLGN-160/CGN-160/CGN-9) was anuclear-poweredguided missile cruiser in theUnited States Navy and the world's first nuclear-poweredsurface combatant.^[3] She was the third Navy ship named after the city ofLong Beach, California.

She was the sole member of theLong Beach class, and the lastcruiser built for the United States Navy to a cruiser design; all subsequent cruiser classes were built on scaled-updestroyer hulls (and originally classified as destroyer leaders) or, in the case of theAlbany class, converted from already existing cruisers.^{[citation needed]}

Long Beach was laid down 2 December 1957, launched 14 July 1959 and commissioned 9 September 1961 under the command of then-CaptainEugene Parks Wilkinson, who previously served as the first commanding officer of the world's first nuclear-powered vessel, the submarineUSS Nautilus. She was deployed toVietnam during theVietnam War and served numerous times in theWestern Pacific, Indian Ocean andPersian Gulf. But by the 1990s, nuclear power was deemed too expensive to use on surface ships smaller than anaircraft carrier in view of defense budget cutbacks after the end of theCold War.Long Beach was decommissioned on 1 May 1995 instead of receiving her third nuclear refueling and proposed upgrade. After removal of thenuclear fuel, superstructure, and sections of the bow and stern, the hull segment containing the reactor and machinery spaces was moored atPuget Sound Naval Shipyard and sold for scrap.

Long Beach was originally intended to be a smaller frigate, but was then redesigned and expanded to a cruiser hull, allowing for an open space just aft of the bridge "box". This open space was first planned to accommodate the mounting of aRegulus nuclear-armedcruise missile, but was then changed to four launch tubes for thePolaris missile. However, the space was eventually occupied by the5-inch/38-caliber gun mounts and theASROC system.^[4]Long Beach was the last cruiser built with a World War II-era cruiser hull style,^[5][6] as later new-build cruisers were built with different hull forms, such as the convertedfrigatesLeahy,Bainbridge,Belknap,Truxtun, and theCalifornia andVirginia classes, or theTiconderoga-class cruiser that was built on aSpruance-class destroyer hull.^{[citation needed]}

The high box-like superstructure contained theSCANFAR system, consisting of theAN/SPS-32 andAN/SPS-33phased array radars. One of the reasonsLong Beach was a single-ship class was because she was an experimental platform for these radars, which were precursors to theAN/SPY-1 phased array systems later installed onAegis equippedTiconderoga-class cruisers andArleigh Burke-class destroyers. The taller, narrower AN/SPS-33 panels were not installed on the superstructure until some time after her commissioning. At the time,Long Beach had the highest bridge of any ship smaller than an aircraft carrier.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to steel,Long Beach was built with 450 tons of structural aluminum.^[7] Because of this unusually high quantity of aluminum, she was assigned the voice radiocall sign "Alcoa".^[7] The ship was propelled by two nuclear reactors, one for each propeller shaft, and was capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h). The ship was originally designed with "all-missile" armament, but was fitted with two 5-inch/38-caliber gun mounts amidships on the orders of PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.^{[citation needed]}

The original weapons suite consisted of:^{[citation needed]}

• One rear Mk 12 launcher for theTalos long rangesurface-to-air missiles (SAM) with a range in excess of 80 nmi (150 km).
• Two forward Mk 10 launchers for theTerrier medium range SAMs with a range in excess of 30 miles (48 km).
• RUR-5 ASROC anti-submarine system capable of delivering a torpedo or depth charge at a range of 10,000 yd (9.1 km).
• Two triple 12.75-inch torpedo launchers that could fire theMark 46 torpedo.
• Two 5-inch/38-caliber guns, capable of surface and shore bombardment to a range of 18,000 yd (16 km).

The ship went through several modifications by the time she was decommissioned. The final weapons suite consisted of:^{[citation needed]}

• Two Mk-10 launchers for theStandard extended range missiles. These replaced the Terrier missiles.
• The rear launcher for the Talos was removed and initially replaced with two quadruple mounts for theRGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
• TwoPhalanx CIWS were added on the aft side of the aft mast.
• Two quadruple armored box launchers were added for theBGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile. These were installed aft on the fantail, with the Harpoon launchers relocated to the aft mast.

The 5-inch/38 guns and the ASROC were retained, and several 12.7 mm (50-cal) were installed as needed.^{[citation needed]}

Long Beach was originally ordered asCLGN-160. She was reclassifiedCGN-160 in early 1957, but was again reclassified asCGN-9 on 1 July 1957. Her keel was laid down on 2 December 1957 byBethlehem Steel Co.,Fore River Shipyard,Quincy, Massachusetts. She waslaunched 14 July 1959, sponsored by Mrs. Marian Swanson-Hosmer, the wife ofRear AdmiralCraig Hosmer (USNR, Ret.), aCongressman from California, andcommissioned on 9 September 1961.^[8] At commissioning, the ship was reported to have cost $320 million ($3.37 billion today),^[9] which was over budget from earlier estimates of $250 million.^[10]

During construction in January 1960, it was widely reported thatLong Beach wassabotaged when anti-mine (degaussing) electrical cables were found to have been intentionally cut in three places.^[11] It was the second of three incidents atFore River Shipyard at that time.^[12]

Long Beach was assigned to theAtlantic Fleet and home ported atNaval Station Norfolk. The guided‑missile cruiser conducted extensive shakedown testing of her complex weapons and propulsion systems from 2 October to 16 December 1961; her performance proved the nuclear cruiser a capable warship. Between 28 December and 6 January 1962 she conducted operational tests of her missiles offPuerto Rico, then sailed forBremerhaven, Germany, arriving 15 January for courtesy calls in north European ports.^[8]

Returning toNorfolk, Virginia 7 February 1962,Long Beach, trained off the east coast and in theCaribbean. On 10 April, she joined Atlantic Fleet as flagship forAdmiralRobert L. Dennison,Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, for exercises off the coasts of U.S. statesNorth Carolina andVirginia. She was reviewed by President John F. Kennedy and Vice PresidentLyndon B. Johnson during this time.^[8]

Long Beach served in the Atlantic Fleet from her commissioning in 1961 until completing her firstrefueling in early 1966, when the cruiser was transferred from her home port of Norfolk toNaval Station Long Beach, California.^{[citation needed]}

After overhaul and installation of new equipment at thePhiladelphia Naval Shipyard,Long Beach again trained in the Caribbean, and then sailed 6 August 1963 to join theSixth Fleet in theMediterranean forpeacekeeping operations. She returned to Norfolk 20 December for coastal and Caribbean operations through 28 April 1964 when she sailed for the Mediterranean again to join aircraft carrierUSS Enterprise andguided missile destroyerBainbridge, in the formation of the first all nuclear‑powered task group on 13 May. The force operated in the Mediterranean testing its unique capabilities until 31 July when it sailed under RADM Bernard M. Strean fromGibraltar on an around‑the‑world cruise. This operation,Sea Orbit, reminiscent of the cruise of theGreat White Fleet in 1907–1909, demonstrated the strategic mobility of U.S. naval nuclear‑powered surface forces independent of normal fleet logistic support.Long Beach steamed over 30,000 nautical miles (56,000 km; 35,000 mi) in 58 days at an average speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), without beingrefueled or resupplied. In the course of the voyage, numerous foreign dignitaries visited the ship during visits off both coasts of Africa and in‑port calls atKarachi, Pakistan,Melbourne, Australia,Wellington, New Zealand andRio de Janeiro, Brazil.^[8]

Long Beach returned to Norfolk from this cruise 3 October 1964 to join in exercises off the east coast and in the Caribbean. On 4 June 1965 she sailed for the Global Strategy Conference at theNaval War College, Newport, whereVice Admiral Kleber S. Masterson, CommanderSecond Fleet broke his flag on the ship. Back in Norfolk 23 June 1965,Long Beach resumed training and upkeep prior to her transfer to the Pacific Fleet. She sailed 28 February 1966 for her new home port and namesake, Long Beach, California, and arrived 15 March 1966.^[8]

Mid 1966 was spent in training and orientingmidshipmen in the tactics and operations involved in the modern nuclear Navy. After a period of leave and upkeep in the fall,Long Beach sailed 7 November 1966 from Long Beach for theFar East.^[8] During this initial cruise, the ship served primarily as thePositive Identification Radar Advisory Zone (PIRAZ) unit in the northernGulf of Tonkin. As such, her main responsibility was to "sanitize" returning U.S. strike aircraft, ensuring that no enemy aircraft were attempting to evade identification by hiding amongst returning friendlies. Additionally, the ship provided support for an on-boardsearch and rescue (SAR) helicopter unit. During this tour,Long Beach was responsible for directing the downing of oneSoviet-madeAn-2 "Colt" aircraft that was attempting to engageSouth Vietnamese naval units. The shoot-down was executed by anF-4 Phantom II under the control of aLong Beach air intercept controller. The cruiser returned to Long Beach, California, in July 1967. In 1968, the ship was redeployed to the Gulf of Tonkin, shooting down aMiG 21 jet fighter nearVinh, with aRIM-8 Talos missile on 23 May 1968,^[13][14] at a range of 65 miles (105 km).^[15] In June of the same year, she downed another MiG,^[14] this one at 61 miles (98 km).^[15] She also directed other MiG kills by American fighters. She was the first ship to down an aircraft using SAMs in the Vietnam war and the incidents were not immediately publicized.Long Beach received aNavy Unit Commendation for the actions.^[14]

Long Beach received aCombat Action Ribbon for action on 26 April 1972,^[16] a few days after theBattle of Đồng Hới. After Vietnam,Long Beach performed routine duties in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, performing escort duties for USSEnterprise in 1975, and participated in multi-national naval exercises while deployed in 1976–1977. Around this time,Long Beach was identified as being suitable for conversion to accommodate the newly developed Aegis combat system, as part of the plans for a force of nuclear-powered Aegis cruisers, but that plan was not implemented.^[17] In 1975 the ship changed home ports toNaval Base San Diego, California.^[18]

In 1980 the vessel rescued 114Vietnamese boat people off the coast of Vietnam.^[18] 9 January 1980,Long Beach returned to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to undergo a mid-life conversion, during which time theSCANFAR system, consisting of theAN/SPS-32 andAN/SPS-33 radars, was removed from the forward superstructure and enhanced flagship facilities were installed, along with modern radars like theAN/SPS-48. TheStandard SM-2ER missiles and the associated modern electronics replaced the obsolete Terrier system. In addition, twoPhalanx CIWS close-in weapon systems were installed, along with two Harpoonsurface-to-surface missile (SSM) launchers on the fantail. Beginning 5 January 1985 the BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile system was installed with two 4-cellArmored Box Launchers on the fantail, with the Harpoon launchers resited.^[18] On 19 October 1987, she participated in Kuwaiti tanker reflagging and provided anti-aircraft cover duringOperation Nimble Archer.Long Beach deployed throughout the 1980s, conducting Tomahawk cruise missile test launches and exercises.^{[citation needed]}

Long Beach served as an escort for theUSS Missouri task force, and provided aircraft carrier escort support after theGulf War of 1991.Long Beach deployed to the region beginning 28 May 1991 to supportOperation Provide Comfort, which was afterOperation Desert Storm was over and major hostilities had ended in late February 1991.^[19] In June, 1991,Long Beach took part inOperation Fiery Vigil, evacuating U.S. military personnel from two bases in the Philippines,Clark Air Base andU.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, during the volcanic eruption ofMount Pinatubo.^{[citation needed]}

There was originally a plan to fully upgradeLong Beach with an Aegis Combat System in the early 1990s, requiring that her superstructure be completely rebuilt. Due to cuts in the defense budget after the 1991 Gulf War, as well as the higher operating costs and number of crew required compared to conventionally powered ships, the decision was made to decommission allnuclear cruisers from the Navy as their reactor cores ran down. They would be replaced by theTiconderoga (CG) andArleigh Burke (DDG) classes, designed from the ground up with Aegis. TheLong Beach had been refueled during her 1970, 1980, and 1992 refits. The decision was made to decommission her in 1994.^{[citation needed]}

A deactivation ceremony occurred on 2 July 1994 at Norfolk Naval Station, and the ship was then towed over toNewport News Shipbuilding where her entire superstructure was removed and her reactors were defueled. After this work was completed in the winter of 1995 the hull was towed through thePanama Canal to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.Long Beach was stricken on 1 May 1995, more than 33 years after she had entered service. On 13 July 2012,Long Beach was sold at auction,^[6] forrecycling, as prescribed for nuclear-powered vessels by Code 350, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. As of May 2018, the inactivated ship's hull and reactor compartments largely remained in long-term storage there.^[20]

A crew member aboardLong Beach may have been exposed to abnormal levels of radiation in 1963,^[21] and the ship was leaking radioactive coolant in 1991. At that time, four crew members alleged that the ship's reactor was unsafe and that crew working around it had been exposed to unsafe levels of radiation.^[22]

• 2 December 1957 – Keel laid in Bethlehem Steel Company's Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts.^[8]
• 14 July 1959 – launching; Mrs. Craig Hosmer christened the ship as her sponsor.^[8]
• 5 July 1961 –Long Beach underway for the first time using her own nuclear power.^[18]
• 9 September 1961 –Long Beach is commissioned as the first nuclear-powered surface vessel at theBoston Naval Shipyard.^[8]
• 2 October 1961 – Change of Home port to Norfolk, Virginia.
• 6 August 1963 – First deployment to the Mediterranean.^[8]
• 28 April 1964 – Second deployment to the Mediterranean for "Nuclear Task Force One".^[8]
• 15 March 1966 –Long Beach and City of Long Beach, California^[8][18] unite for first time.
• 7 November 1966 – First West Pacific deployment.^[8]
• 1 May 1967 – Deployed to Gulf of Tonkin.
• 9 December 1967 – Present at Long Beach to welcomeRMS Queen Mary on her first call ever to her new home port.
• 15 April 1968 – Second West Pacific deployment.^[8]
• 11 August 1969 – Third West Pacific deployment.
• March 1970 – Overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California.^[18]
• 1 July 1970 –Long Beach begins refueling atMare Island Naval Shipyard.
• 28 March 1972 – Fourth West Pacific deployment.^[18]
• 1 May 1973 – Fifth West Pacific deployment.
• 7 November 1974 – Sixth West Pacific deployment.
• 7 June 1975 – Change of homeport to San Diego, Ca.^[18]
• 15 September 1976 – Seventh West Pacific deployment.
• 4 April 1978 – Eighth West Pacific deployment.
• 7 January 1980 – Ninth West Pacific deployment.^[18]
• 6 October 1980 – Begins Comprehensive Overhaul, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.^[18]
• 13 January 1984 – 10th West Pacific deployment.^[18]
• 9 January 1985 – Selected Restricted Availability atBremerton, Washington.^[18]
• 13 May 1986 – 11th West Pacific deployment.
• 25 July 1987 – 12th West Pacific deployment.
• 19 October 1987 – Participated in Kuwaiti tanker reflagging and provided anti-aircraft cover during Operation Nimble Archer.
• 13 October 1988 –North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ship Visit.
• 18 September 1989 – 13th West Pacific deployment/world cruise.
• 28 May 1991 – 14th West Pacific deployment in support of Operation Provide Comfort.
• 8 April 1992 – Comprehensive overhaul, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
• 12 May 1993 – UnderwayCounter Narcotics Patrol,Central America.
• 8 November 1993 – Underway Counter Narcotics Patrol, Caribbean.
• 6 May 1994 – Change of homeport to Norfolk, Virginia.
• 2 July 1994 – Deactivation ceremony, Norfolk Naval Station.
• Sept 2002 – Removal of superstructure, nuclear fuel removed. As of May 2018, a 423 foot section of the propulsion block remains at PSNS.
• Oct 2012 - Auctioned off and sold for scrapping^[23]

• List of cruisers of the United States Navy
• Nuclear-powered cruisers of the United States Navy

•  This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.
•  This article includes information collected from theNaval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in thepublic domain. The entry can be foundhere.

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• "USS Long Beach Reunion Web Page".usslongbeach-assoc.org.
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• "USS Long Beach".NavSource.org.

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