New Orleans-class Cruiser

The New Orleans class cruisers were a class of seven heavy cruisers built for the United States Navy in the 1930's, the last built under the Washington Naval Treaty before World War II. They were an improvement on the Northampton class heavy cruisers. CA-32 through CA-36 were originally ordered as Northampton class ships but CA-32, CA-34 and CA-36 were reordered as what was to become the Astoria class shortly after being laid down, which would later be renamed the New Orleans class. The Portland (CA-33) and Indianapolis (CA-35) could not be changed to the New Orleans design and became the Portland class. The New Orleans class design was a test bed for new innovations in cruiser design, which is why there were three distinct models within this class.

This class was the direct ancestor for all subsequent USN cruisers. From them came the Brooklyn, Wichita, Cleveland and the Baltimore class cruisers. While the Washington Naval Treaty was still being observed, new technology was implemented in the New Orleans class because the USN knew that if and when war would come, they would need this knowledge to build ships beyond the treaty limits, which were already in the planning stage. The USN came to the conclusion that no 10,000 ton cruiser could adequately perform the roles given. Three ships of the class came in the top four most decorated ships on the US Navy in World War II

Originally the USS Astoria (CA-34) was the lead ship of this class. However, the Astoria received a later hull number than the New Orleans due to the fact she was launched later despite the fact she was laid down first. The class was renamed because the Astoria was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. Also, immediately following the Guadalcanal Campaign the remaining ships of the class went through major overhauls in order to lessen top heaviness of the ships due to new electrical and radar systems as well as more anti-aircraft weaponry which was being added as technology advanced. In doing so the ships took on a new appearance, most notable in the bridge area and became known as the New Orleans-class.

Three ships of the class (Astoria, Quincy, and Vincennes) were lost in the war, all in the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. The four survivors were decommissioned shortly after the war ended, and scrapped in 1959-1961.

Ships of the Line

 * USS New Orleans (CA-32)
 * USS Astoria (CA-34)
 * USS Minneapolis (CA-36)
 * USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)
 * USS San Francisco (CA-38)
 * USS Quincy (CA-39)
 * USS Vincennes (CA-44)