4 127 mm
Beginning in 1918, American cruiser designs were strongly influenced by the characteristics of the British Hawkins-class cruisers, which outperformed any modern cruisers other countries. As a result, the Americans decided that their cruisers should be superior to the Hawkins, since Great Britain was still listed as a likely enemy. However, it was recognized that Japan also posed a real threat, and therefore it was necessary to take into account the specifics of the Pacific theater. First of all, this meant a greater cruising range. Immediately after the end of the war, the American fleet came under strong financial pressure. A new war was considered impossible, and the construction of new ships was frozen. As a result, new cruisers were laid down only in the mid-1920s. In 1922, the Five Power Treaty was signed, which officially heralded the birth of a new class of cruisers. The "A" class cruisers or heavy cruisers were the result of an agreement between the United States and Great Britain, from which the Americans benefited more. Back in 1919, the American Navy began developing designs for a cruiser with 203 mm guns. By 1920, at least 7 projects of ships with a displacement of 5,000 to 10,000 tons were created, armed with various combinations of 127-, 152-, and 203-mm guns. Then US Navy I had, like the rest of the fleets, to rack their brains over the harmonization of conflicting requirements for these ships. However, by November 1923 appeared preliminary design the first American heavy cruiser. However, the desire to improve armor, the power of machines and mechanisms, the number of main battery guns, constantly fell under the impact of the displacement limit.
The final design was agreed in March 1925. It provided for 10 - 203-mm guns, a speed of 31.2 knots and armor weighing 773 tons. Calculations showed that the displacement of the ship would be much less than the permitted 10,000 tons, and therefore another 250 tons could be allocated for armoring the ship. At first, they decided to change the overall booking system, but then it all came down to strengthening the booking of cellars. It was assumed that the cruisers would be completely invulnerable to the fire of destroyers, which were considered their most likely enemy. Light cruisers were supposed to be destroyed from a long distance, where firing b "guns is simply ineffective.
As a result, the ship received a 102 mm thick belt against the bow cellars and 76 mm against the engine rooms. It sank 5 feet below the waterline. The belt did not cover the stern cellars, since it was assumed that the battles would be fought on the forward heading angles. They were covered by an internal bulkhead 88 mm thick. Horizontal booking had a thickness of 25 - 37 mm. The weight of the armor was about 6% of the ship's displacement. As a result, it turned out that the cruisers were relatively invulnerable to 152 mm shells, but Japanese 203 mm shells pierced the belt from a distance of 120 cab, and the deck at distances of more than 80 cab. This turned out to be a real blow, since the development of central aiming systems made such battle distances quite real.
As on the Omaha-class cruisers, the vehicles were arranged according to the echelon principle. 8 boilers were located in the front in 4 boiler rooms, the rear stokers separated the engine rooms.
A somewhat unusual feature of the armament arrangement was that the three-gun turrets were mounted higher than the two-gun turrets. This was done because the large barbette of the three-gun turret did not fit into the sharp contours of the bow. The cruiser was armed with 203 mm guns, which, at an elevation angle of 4 G, had a firing range of 159 cab. Anti-aircraft armament at first consisted of 4 - 127 mm guns. There was no light anti-aircraft weaponry, because it was not possible to create a decent gun. I had to limit myself to a few machine guns.
After completion, it turned out that the cruisers were underloaded, and therefore subject to strong pitching. In the mid-30s, torpedo tubes were removed from the cruisers. The reason for this was not an attempt to save weight, but their perceived tactical futility. During the war, both ships received new radar models. Before the war, the cruisers received another 4 - 127/25 mm guns. In November 1941, 2 x 4 - 28-mm machine guns were installed on the cruisers. Superstructures were changed, a KDP was installed on a cut mainmast. By 1942, the ships received 8 - 20 mm machine guns and another 2x4 - 28 mm. In 1942, instead of 28-mm machine guns, quad Bofors were installed. The number of 20 mm anti-aircraft guns has been increased.
CA.25 Salt Lake City1929 /1948Until September 12, 1939, Salt Lake City was part of the 2nd cruiser division, and then was transferred to the 5th division. In September 1933 he was transferred to the 3rd division. Almost all this time it operates in the Pacific Ocean. As part of OS 8, Salt Lake City tries to deliver reinforcements to Wake in December 1941. In January-February 1942, it operates in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, shelling enemy positions. He later takes part in a raid against Wake. In April, Salt Lake City takes part in the Doolittle raid against Tokyo. In June at Pearl Harbor, he is transferred to OS 17, and in July he is transferred to Guadalcanal. As part of OS 61, he participates in the battle off the Eastern Solomon Islands. In October, in the battle at Cape Esperance, the cruiser was hit by 3 shells, although the damage was minor. From November 1942 to March 1943, the cruiser was under repair at Pearl Harbor, and then went to the Aleutian Islands. On March 26, as part of OG 16.6, he takes part in the battle near Commander Islands and takes heavy damage from Japanese cruiser artillery fire. 4 shells hit it, the cruiser had a list of 5 degrees, lost its course. But for some reason, the Japanese did not finish off the helpless ship. Repairs are being carried out at the Mayor Island shipyard.
In October, Salt Lake City returns to Pearl Harbor. He participates in carrier raids against Wake, Rabaul and Tarawa. In March-April, he participates in operations against the western Caroline Islands, and then again leaves for repairs. In July, the cruiser returns to the Aleutian Islands, but already in mid-August, she again arrives at Pearl Harbor. After hitting Wake and Saipan, he participates in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Later, Salt Lake City is involved in operations off Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In August 1945 he returned to the Aleutian Islands, and after the end of the war he took part in the occupation of Honshu.
The cruiser earned 11 battle stars and the gratitude of the fleet commander.
Operation "Crossroads") was used as a target ship.
CA Gun Cruiser (gun cruiser).24 Pensacola1930 /1948The cruiser was based on the East Coast as part of the 4th division until 1935, when this unit was transferred to the Pacific Ocean. In January 1941, the Pensacola became the flagship of the 5th division. At the beginning of the war, it operates in the Southwest Pacific and in Australian waters, covering military convoys.
In January 1942 he took part in the march to Wake. The operation was canceled when the Japanese sank an escort tanker. After that, "Pensacola" covering military convoys from Panama to the islands of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. In March 1942, the Pensacola, along with other ships, participates in a raid against Laz and Salamaua.
In June 1942, as part of the Pensacola, she participated in the Battle of Midway. In September, the cruiser arrives at Guadalcanal and on October 26 takes part in the battle near the Santa Cruz Islands.
November 30 in the battle of Tassafarong "Pensacola" is seriously damaged. The torpedo hits the port side under the main mast. A strong fire starts on the ship, part of the ammunition in the tower number 3 explodes. In this case, 125 people were killed, another 68 people were injured.
After temporary repairs in Tulagi, the cruiser leaves for Espiritu Santo, and from there to Pearl Harbor. Until November 1943, the cruiser is under repair. In the same month, he returns to duty and participates in the shelling of Tarana, as well as in further operations in the Marshall Islands.
In April 1944, after a short repair at the Mayor Island shipyard, the Pensacola leaves for the North Pacific. August 13, 1944 he returns to Pearl Harbor. Further, he participates in the attack on Wake, the battle in Leyte Gulf and the battle at Cape Engano. Since November, the cruiser has been participating in the shelling of Ivodeima.
February 17, 1945 Pensacola receives 6 shells from shore batteries. 17 people died, 119 were injured. After the repair, the Pensacola is again involved in shelling the coast, now off Okinawa. On April 15, she leaves for the USA for repairs, which ends on August 3.
In total, during the war years, the cruiser earned 13 battle stars.
During tests of nuclear weapons (Operation Crossroads) it was used as a target ship. After being decontaminated and carefully examined, the ship was scuttled near Kwajellein on November 10, 1948.
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American tier 7 heavy cruiser Pensacola has become a favorite ship of many sailors due to the fact that it is a pleasure to play on it. In reality, she was not a successful cruiser, because a bunch of weapons had to be slammed into a small hull, and she got a very high center of gravity. But in the game, the ships do not roll over on the waves, and the sailors do not experience discomfort.
Modules and equipment.
The strong point of this ship is definitely its air defense, we have both Bofors and 127 mm universal guns. We also have good maneuverability, fast debugging and a short body, which is also important. 10 203mm main caliber guns in the top immediately inspire respect. First, you need to upgrade the top hull so that one main gun is added to each turret, and given the accuracy of Pensacola, this will make a big difference. In addition, the top guns will turn faster, and the fire control system will add a couple of kilometers to your firing range. On upgrades: improvement of the towers of the main caliber, because crits often fly out on them. Next, we select the SLA modification for accuracy, and our cruiser will become just a sniper. In the third slot, you can put a damage control system or power plant, because the engine room is often knocked out. In the fourth slot, we select steering machines, modification 2. Given the short body, with this modification, maneuverability becomes like that of Pensacola and will be able to turn around simply on the heel. In the equipment, you need to buy improved shells for silver, then barrage fire to make the air defense even stronger, and of course, a catapult fighter. Among the flags, it is worth choosing a reduction in the detonation of ammunition cellars. Since the hull is short, it is quite easy to undermine the cruiser. You can increase the speed, although it is already 33 knots. It makes no sense to set camouflage for invisibility, so we set it to reduce enemy hits.
Commander upgrade.
At the first level, we definitely increase the effectiveness of air defense, speed up the repair time and take a light bulb. Pensa is an excellent fighter against destroyers, so knowing what is in us will be very useful. At the second level, you need to pump the master gunner, because the towers turn very slowly, and you will have to maneuver a lot. At the third level, we take the acceleration of repairs, since we don’t have so much HP, and then enhanced fire training and air defense will become simply brutal. At the fifth level, you need to take the master of all trades, in a difficult battle against an experienced aircraft carrier, you will appreciate this choice.
Combat tactics and advantages.
When playing on the cruiser Pensacola, you need to make the most of your air defense advantage: you can intercept air groups that fly towards the allied ones. We turn on the barrage of air defense fire and lift the fighter into the air. Under such fire, air combat groups will have a huge spread and, most likely, will not drop torpedoes. Never walk on rails. You are almost always in the light, so you are the target for enemy artillery. Try to remove air defense modules from enemy battleships with land mines, because they cannot be repaired. They either exist or they don't. So you make it easier for the allied aircraft carrier.
Flaws.
Low health. Very weak armor, volleys of especially Japanese cruisers with land mines are dangerous. Fairly long reload.
The cruiser is universal ship, a workhorse in World of Warships. Use your strengths and hide the flaws, then you will understand how to play Pensacola (Pensacola) in this game. Also try to swim in tandem with a battleship - this is a very effective alliance.
For the United States Second World War began on the morning of December 7, 1941 with a Japanese carrier-based air raid on 11 Earl Harbor. Six aircraft carriers were involved in the strike of the Japanese fleet. The main purpose of the strike was the destruction of battleships and aircraft carriers of the American Pacific Fleet in the harbor of Pearl Harbor. In terms of battleships, the number was a success - all the battleships that were in Pearl Harbor received damage, but the Japanese did not find aircraft carriers in Hawaii. With failure battleships, their place had to be taken by heavy cruisers.
Pensacola-class cruisers
Pensacola-class cruisers
The Pensacola-class ships were the first US Navy heavy cruisers. Under the terms of the 1921 Washington Treaty on the Limitation of Naval Arms. the displacement of cruisers was limited to 10,000 t (9,072 metric tons).
In total, two such ships were built: the lead Pensacola (SA-24) and Salt Lake City (SA-25). The first is named after the city from the state of Florida, the second - in memory of the capital of the state of the South. The Pensacola was laid down at a shipyard in New York City on October 27, 1926, launched on April 25, 1929. The cruiser entered the US Navy on February 6, 1930. The Salt Lake City was laid down at the plant of the New York campaign. York Shipbuilding at Camden, NJ 9 June 1927, launched 23 January 1929, commissioned by US Navy 11 December 1929
The length of the Pensacola-class cruisers was 173.7 m along the waterline and 178.5 m along the hull. Midship width 19.9 m, draft 6.7 m. The ships had very weak armor protection. As it turned out later, torpedoes and large-caliber shells inflicted terrible damage on these cruisers. The total displacement of the Pensacola-class cruiser was 13,900 tons (12,510 metric tons), by the end of the war it had increased to 13,900 tons (12,610 metric tons). The increase in displacement is explained by the installation of additional armor, strengthening of anti-aircraft weapons, the installation of radars and electronic equipment.
Cruisers of the Pensacola type had insufficient armor protection for ships of this class. The thickness of the main armor belt of the cruiser varied from 6.4 to 10.2 cm. The ammunition cellars were covered with armor 6.4 cm thick, the boiler rooms with armor 2.5 cm thick. The thickness of the armored deck was 2.5 cm. 4 cm. The thickness of the barbettes of the main caliber towers is 1.9 cm, the thickness of the main caliber towers in the frontal part is 6.4 cm, the sides are 3.8 cm. The roof is 0.75 inches.
Both cruisers were equipped with eight White Forster boilers and four Parsons turbines. A full speed of 32 knots (59.3 km / h) was achieved when the engine installation reached the maximum level of 107,750 liters. With. The cruiser's tanks held 3,952 tons (3,585 metric tons) of oil, giving the ship a range of 10,000 miles when traveling at 15 knots.
The armament of the Pensacola-class cruisers consisted of ten 8-inch (203 mm) Mk-14 guns with a barrel length of 55 calibers. The guns were unusually mounted in four turrets, two three-gun and two two-gun, with the former positioned above the latter. The mass of the two-gun turret was 189.605 kg, the three-gun turret was 250.841 kg. The muzzle velocity of the 8-inch projectile is 853.4 m/s, the firing range of the Mark 19 armor-piercing projectile is 29 km. At Pensacola, Mark-18 optical sights were used to control the firing of the main caliber, at Salt Lake City - Mark-22, there were plans to install Mark-34 sights on both ships, but due to the large mass of these devices, a good idea had to refuse.
Auxiliary artillery included eight universal 5-inch (127 mm) guns with a barrel length of 25 calibers. Five-inch guns were intended to repel air attacks and shelling coastal structures from a short distance. At the end of the 30s, Browning M2 anti-aircraft machine guns with water-cooled barrels of 12.7 mm caliber were installed on the bridges of both cruisers. Machine guns, as a means of repelling air attacks, were later supplemented with a pair of quad 28 mm Mark VI cannons, known as the "Chicago Piano". These guns were not popular, but there were no other small-caliber automatic guns in service with the US Navy at that time. Only at the beginning of 1942 did Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns appear, which replaced the “harmoniums from Chicago”. Machine guns were replaced by 20-mm Oerlikon automatic guns, the replacement began at the end of 1941, but machine guns remained on cruisers until 1942. In 1943, both Pensacolas carried six quadruple Bofors and 19 single 20-mm Oerlikons.
At the time of entry into service, the Pensacolas had two 533-mm built-in torpedo tubes, one on each side, above the waterline. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, torpedo tubes were dismantled from cruisers.
