USS Bainbridge, only ship of her class |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Operators: | United States Navy |
| Preceded by: | Leahy class cruiser |
| Succeeded by: | Belknap class cruiser |
| Built: | 1959–1961 |
| In commission: | 1962–1996 |
| Completed: | 1 |
| Retired: | 1 |
USS Bainbridge (CGN-25) was a nuclear-powered version of the Leahy-class cruiser double-ended guided missile frigate. Originally a guided missile destroyer leader, the class was re-designated guided missile cruiser in 1975. As with USS Long Beach (CGN-9) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Bainbridge was a single-ship class.
Statistically and mechanically speaking, Bainbridge (DLGN-25) was virtually identical to the Leahy-class except for the replacement of her four 1200 psi boilers with two D2G reactors. Because of the greater maintenance requirements of 1960s nuclear reactors, Bainbridge carried 23 more crew members than Leahy.
The lessons learned on Bainbridge were later adapted to the next nuclear-powered ship, USS Truxtun (CGN-35) and the California and Virginia classes of nuclear-powered cruiser.
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