The Alaska-class cruisers were a fascinating and unique chapter in the history of naval warfare. Conceived during a time of rapid technological and strategic changes, these ships were designed to fill a specific niche within the United States Navy.
Despite their relatively short service life and their perceived failures, the Alaska-class cruisers left a lasting impact on naval design and strategy.
Origins and Design of Alaska-Class
The concept of the Alaska-class cruisers originated in the early 1930s, as the United States Navy sought to counter the threat posed by Germany’s Deutschland-class “pocket battleships” and Japan’s rumored large cruiser class, the B-65 “super cruisers”.
The Alaska-class was intended to serve as “cruiser-killers,” capable of seeking out and destroying these heavily armed adversaries.
The design of the Alaska-class cruisers was a blend of cruiser and battleship characteristics. They were larger and more heavily armed than traditional cruisers but not as heavily armored as battleships. This unique combination led to some debate over their classification, with some sources referring to them as battlecruisers, although the U.S. Navy officially designated them as “large cruisers” (CB).
The Alaska-class cruisers were impressive in size and firepower. They measured 808 feet 6 inches in length and had a beam of 91 feet 9 inches. Their displacement was approximately 29,771 long tons (standard) and 34,253 long tons (full load). The ships were powered by four-shaft General Electric steam turbines, which allowed them to reach speeds of up to 33 knots.
Is it a Cruiser or a Battleship?
One of the most notable features of the Alaska-class cruisers was their armament. They were equipped with nine 12-inch (305 mm)/50 caliber Mark 8 guns, arranged in three triple turrets. This heavy artillery gave them a significant advantage over traditional cruisers, which typically carried 8-inch guns.
In addition to their main battery, the Alaska-class cruisers were armed with twelve 5-inch (127 mm)/38 caliber dual-purpose guns, fifty-six 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns, and thirty-four 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns.
The armor protection of the Alaska-class cruisers was designed to withstand hits from 12-inch shells. The main side belt armor was 9 inches thick, gradually thinning to 5 inches, and sloped at 10 degrees.
The armor deck ranged from 3.8 to 4 inches in thickness, while the turrets had 12.8-inch faces and 5-inch roofs. Despite this substantial armor, the Alaska-class cruisers were not as heavily protected as battleships, reflecting their intended role as fast, powerful cruiser-killers rather than frontline battleships.
Short-Lived Service
The Alaska-class cruisers were authorized under the Vinson-Walsh Act of 1940, which aimed to expand the U.S. Navy in response to growing global threats. Six ships were planned, but only two were completed: USS Alaska (CB-1) and USS Guam (CB-2). Construction of the other four ships was canceled as the strategic focus shifted during World War II.
USS Alaska was commissioned on June 17, 1944, and USS Guam followed on September 17, 1944. Both ships saw service in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II. They participated in various operations, including the Battle of Okinawa and the bombardment of Japanese home islands.
Their primary roles included providing anti-aircraft support for carrier task forces and engaging enemy surface ships.
Despite their impressive capabilities, the Alaska-class cruisers had a relatively short service life. With the end of World War II, the need for large cruisers diminished, and both USS Alaska and USS Guam were decommissioned in 1947. They were eventually sold for scrap in the early 1960s.
Legacy: When Warfare Evolves Too Quickly
The Alaska-class cruisers occupy a unique place in naval history. They were among the last large-gunned warships built by the United States and represented a transitional phase in naval design. Their combination of speed, firepower, and armor made them formidable adversaries, but they were also a product of a specific strategic context that quickly became obsolete with the advent of new technologies and changing naval doctrines.
One of the key lessons from the Alaska-class cruisers was the realization that aircraft carriers had become the dominant force in naval warfare. The role of surface combatants shifted from engaging enemy ships to protecting carrier task forces and providing anti-aircraft defense.
This shift in focus led to the development of new classes of ships, such as guided missile cruisers and destroyers, which emphasized versatility and advanced weaponry over sheer firepower.
The Alaska-class cruisers also highlighted the challenges of balancing speed, armor, and firepower in warship design. While they were successful in their intended role as cruiser-killers, their limited armor protection made them vulnerable to air attacks and larger battleships. This trade-off between offensive and defensive capabilities remains a key consideration in modern naval design.
The Alaska-class cruisers were a unique and innovative response to the naval challenges of their time. They represented a bold attempt to create a new class of warship that could counter specific threats, but their short service life and eventual obsolescence underscore the rapid pace of technological and strategic change in naval warfare.
Today, the Alaska-class cruisers are remembered as a fascinating experiment in naval design, reflecting both the ingenuity and the limitations of mid-20th-century naval engineering.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
