Galveston class cruiser
Encyclopedia
Originally built as Cleveland
-class light cruiser
s (CL) in the United States Navy
during World War II
, in 1957 three ships were re-designated as Galveston-class guided missile light cruisers (CLG) and fitted with the Talos
long-range 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 Talos launcher and a 46 missile storage magazine. Three large masts were also installed in order to hold a variety of radar
s, missile guidance
, and communications
systems. Little Rock and Oklahoma City were simultaneously converted into fleet flagship
s, which involved removing two forward dual 5 inches (127 mm) and one triple 6 inches (152 mm) turrets, and replacing them with a massively rebuilt and expanded forward superstructure. Galveston, in the non-flagship configuration, retained the Cleveland-class's standard forward weapons: three dual 5 inches (127 mm) and two triple 6 inches (152 mm) turrets.
A similar pattern was followed in converting three other ships (Providence, Springfield, and Topeka) to operate the Terrier
surface-to-air missile
system, creating the . Providence and Springfield were outfitted as fleet flagships, but Topeka was not.
Like the Providence class cruisers, the Galveston class ships suffered from serious stability problems caused by the topweight of the missile system. Indeed, the Galveston class ships were more affected by heavy Talos missile system than the Terrier equipped ships. Weight reduction measures and the use of ballast were necessary to improve stability. The cruisers, particularly Galveston, also suffered from hogging of the hull.
All three ships were decommissioned to the reserve fleet between 1970 and 1979. In the 1975 cruiser realignment
, Little Rock and Oklahoma City were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG). The ships were stricken from the Naval Vessel Register
between 1973 and 1979. Galveston was scrapped in the mid-1970s, Oklahoma City was sunk as a target in 1999, and Little Rock is a museum ship in Buffalo, NY.
Cleveland class cruiser
The United States Navy designed the Cleveland class of light cruisers for World War II with the goal of increased range and AA armament as compared with earlier classes.A total of 52 ships of this class were projected and 3 canceled...
-class light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
s (CL) in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in 1957 three ships were re-designated as Galveston-class guided missile light cruisers (CLG) and fitted with the Talos
RIM-8 Talos
The Bendix RIM-8 Talos was a long-range naval surface-to-air missile, and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. The Talos used radar beam riding for guidance to the vicinity of its target, and semiactive radar homing for terminal guidance...
long-range surface-to-air missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
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 Talos launcher and a 46 missile storage magazine. Three large masts were also installed in order to hold a variety of radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
s, missile guidance
Missile guidance
Missile guidance refers to a variety of methods of guiding a missile or a guided bomb to its intended target. The missile's target accuracy is a critical factor for its effectiveness...
, and communications
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
systems. Little Rock and Oklahoma City were simultaneously converted into fleet flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
s, which involved removing two forward dual 5 inches (127 mm) and one triple 6 inches (152 mm) turrets, and replacing them with a massively rebuilt and expanded forward superstructure. Galveston, in the non-flagship configuration, retained the Cleveland-class's standard forward weapons: three dual 5 inches (127 mm) and two triple 6 inches (152 mm) turrets.
A similar pattern was followed in converting three other ships (Providence, Springfield, and Topeka) to operate the Terrier
RIM-2 Terrier
The Convair RIM-2 Terrier was a two-stage medium-range naval surface-to-air missile , and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. Originally, the Terrier had a launch thrust of 23 kN , and weight of 1392 kg...
surface-to-air missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
system, creating the . Providence and Springfield were outfitted as fleet flagships, but Topeka was not.
Like the Providence class cruisers, the Galveston class ships suffered from serious stability problems caused by the topweight of the missile system. Indeed, the Galveston class ships were more affected by heavy Talos missile system than the Terrier equipped ships. Weight reduction measures and the use of ballast were necessary to improve stability. The cruisers, particularly Galveston, also suffered from hogging of the hull.
All three ships were decommissioned to the reserve fleet between 1970 and 1979. In the 1975 cruiser realignment
United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification
The United States Navy reclassified many of its surface vessels in 1975, changing terminology and hull classification symbols for cruisers, frigates, and ocean escorts.- Classification prior to 1975 :...
, Little Rock and Oklahoma City were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG). The ships were stricken from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
between 1973 and 1979. Galveston was scrapped in the mid-1970s, Oklahoma City was sunk as a target in 1999, and Little Rock is a museum ship in Buffalo, NY.
Ships in class
| Keel laid | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | |
| Galveston (CLG-3) USS Galveston (CLG-3) The USS Galveston was a Cleveland class light cruiser of the United States Navy that was later converted to a Galveston class guided missile cruiser. She was launched by William Cramp and Sons Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania., 22 April 1945: and sponsored by Mrs. Clark Wallace Thompson... |
August 1943 | April 1945 | May 1958 | May 1970 |
| Little Rock (CLG-4) USS Little Rock (CG-4) USS Little Rock was one of 27 United States Navy light cruisers completed during or shortly after World War II, and one of six to be converted to guided missile cruisers. She was the first US Navy ship to be named for Little Rock, Arkansas. Commissioned in mid-1945, she was completed too late to... |
March 1943 | August 1944 | June 1960 | May 1976 |
| Oklahoma City (CLG-5) USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) USS Oklahoma City was one of 27 United States Navy light cruisers completed during or shortly after World War II, and one of six to be converted to guided missile cruisers. She was the first US Navy ship to be named for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma... |
December 1942 | February 1944 | September 1960 | December 1979 |