Boston class cruiser

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Boston-class guided missile cruiser

Class Overview
Class type:	Guided missile cruiser
Class name:	Boston, Massachusetts
Preceded by:	N/A, First guided missile cruiser line authorized
Succeeded by:	Galveston class cruiser
Ships of the line:	Boston (CAG-1), Canberra (CAG-2)

The United States Navy's Boston class were the first guided missile cruisers in the world. Both ships in this experimental class were originally Baltimore class heavy cruisers that had been decommissioned after World War II, but were redesignated as guided missile heavy cruisers (CAGs) and entered refit in 1952. The lengthly conversion and modernization project involved removing the aft triple 8 inch gun turret and its supporting structure and installation of two twin launchers for Terrier anti-aircraft guided missiles. The forward two 8 inch gun turrets remained unchanged. The forward superstructure was modified to include the Terrier's associated radars and electronics, the aft superstructure was completely replaced, and Baltimore class's two funnels were trunked to one.

Owing to the Boston class's experimental nature, the ships were only partially converted, with a full conversion to be carried out if the new weapon systems were successful. Had the ships been fully converted, the forward 8 inch turrets would have been replaced with additional Terrier launchers.

In 1968 both Boston class guided missile heavy cruisers were reclassified back to heavy cruisers (CAs), in part due to the extensive use of their 8 inch guns for shore bombardment during the Vietnam War. While they had retained their Terrier missiles, the swift advance of technology had made these pioneering weapons obsolete after little more than a dozen years' service, and the ships' main battery were once again their six remaining 8 inch guns in the forward turrets.

Various proposals for limited modernization or complete reconstruction were considered but ultimately rejected. In 1970 both Boston class ships were decommissioned for the final time, eventually stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, and sold for scrap.

[edit] General Characteristics

Lead Ship: Boston (CAG-1)
Number of Ships: 2
Displacement: 13,600 tons
Length: 673 ft 3 in (205.2 m)
Beam: 71 ft 10 in (21.9 m)
Draft: 26 ft 10 in (8.2 m)
Speed: 33 knots (60 km/h)
Propulsion: 4 615 psi boilers, steam turbines, 4 shafts
Performance: 120,000 shp
Complement: 1,142 officers and enlisted
Armament: 6 × 8 in guns, 10 × 5 in guns, 12 × 3 in guns, 2 × twin-rail Terrier SAM launcher)

[edit] The Boston class ships

	Keel laid	Launched	Commissioned	Decommissioned
Boston (CAG-1)	June 1941	Aug. 1942	Nov. 1955	May 1970
Canberra (CAG-2)	Sep. 1941	Apr. 1943	June 1956	Feb. 1970