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Originally built as Cleveland-class light cruisers (CL) in the United States Navy during World War II, in 1957 three ships were re-designated as Providence-class guided missile light cruisers (CLG) and fitted with the Terrier surface-to-air missile system. During the two year refit, the aft superstructure was completely replaced and all aft guns were removed to make room for the twin-arm Terrier launcher and a 120 missile storage magazine. Three large masts were also installed in order to hold a variety of radars, missile guidance, and communications systems. Providence and Springfield were simultaneously converted into fleet flagships, which involved removing two forward dual 5 inch and one triple 6 inch turrets, and replacing them with a massively rebuilt and expanded forward superstructure. Topeka, in the non-flagship configuration, retained the Cleveland-class's standard forward weapons: three dual 5 inch and two triple 6 inch turrets.
All three ships were decommissioned to the reserve fleet between 1969 and 1974. In the 1975 cruiser realignment, Providence and Springfield were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG). The ships were stricken from the Naval Vessel Register between 1974 and 1980, and eventually sold for scrap.
[edit] General characteristics
- Lead Ship: Providence (CLG-6)
- Number of Ships: 3
- Displacement: 15,025 tons
- Length: 608 ft (185.3 m)
- Beam: 64 ft (19.5 m)
- Draft: 23 ft 6 in (7.1 m)
- Speed: 32.5 knots (60 km/h)
- Propulsion: 4 634 psi boilers, steam turbines, 4 shafts
- Performance: 100,000 shp
- Complement: 1,120 officers and enlisted
- Armament:
- Providence and Springfield (fleet flagship) - 3 × 6 in guns, 2 × 5 in guns, 1 × twin-rail Terrier SAM launcher
- Topeka (non-flagship) - 6 × 6 in guns, 6 × 5 in guns, 1 × twin-rail Terrier SAM launcher
[edit] The Providence class ships
[edit] External links
