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Photo # NH 97277:  Recognition drawing of an Alaska class large cruiser, circa 1945

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIP TYPES -- LARGE CRUISERS --

Alaska Class (CB-1 through CB-6) --
Drawings


This page presents drawings of Alaska class large cruisers and drawings related to the preliminary design process for the Alaska class.

For more images related to the Alaska class large cruisers, see: Alaska Class (CB-1 through CB-6).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 97277

Alaska Class Large Cruiser (CB)


Recognition drawing, prepared circa 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 325 pixels

 


The following images are photographs of preliminary design drawings, most representing various armament and ship arrangement schemes considered by the Navy's General Board in 1940, during the Alaska class design process. None of them represent the design actually adopted.
In addition, one drawing presents an abortive 1942 concept for converting Alaska class large cruisers to aircraft carriers:

Photo #: S-511-6

"Proposed Heavy Cruiser - CA2-D"


Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of the process leading to the Alaska class (CB1-6) large cruiser design.
This plan, dated 18 January 1940 and representing the largest size cruiser studied at this time, is for a ship of 38,700 tons standard displacement, with a main battery of twelve 12"/50 guns, a secondary battery of sixteen 5"/38 guns and a 212,000 horsepower powerplant for a speed of 33.5 knots. Ship's dimensions are: waterline length 850'; waterline beam 99'; maximum beam 104.5'; draft 31.5'. Anti-torpedo side protection, with four internal bulkheads, is shown in the hull section drawing at the lower left.
Scale of the original plan and elevation drawings is 1/32" = 1'. Scale of the hull section drawing is 1/16" = 1'.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 653KB; 3000 x 1875 pixels

 
Photo #: S-511-7

"Proposed Heavy Cruiser - CA2-A"


Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of the process leading to the Alaska class (CB1-6) large cruiser design.
This plan, dated 19 January 1940 and representing the smallest size cruiser studied at this time, is for a ship of 25,600 tons standard displacement, with a main battery of nine 12"/50 guns, a secondary battery of twelve 5"/38 guns and a 150,000 horsepower powerplant for a speed of 33.5 knots. Ship's dimensions are: waterline length 800'; waterline beam 85.1'; maximum beam 90'; draft 26.8'. Anti-torpedo side protection, with four internal bulkheads, is shown in the hull section drawing at the lower left.
Scale of the original plan and elevation drawings is 1/32" = 1'. Scale of the hull section drawing is 1/16" = 1'.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 555KB; 3000 x 1780 pixels

 
Photo #: S-511-14

"Heavy Cruiser Study - Scheme 2"


Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of the process leading to the Alaska class (CB1-6) large cruiser design.
This plan, dated 19 March 1940 and representing the smallest size cruiser studied in this series, is for a ship of 15,750 tons standard displacement, with a main battery of twelve 8"/55 guns, a secondary battery of twelve 5"/38 guns and a 120,000 horsepower powerplant. Ship's dimensions are: waterline length 700'; beam 72'; draft 23.5'.
Scale of the original drawings is 1/32" = 1'.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 659KB; 3000 x 1775 pixels

 
Photo #: S-511-15

"Heavy Cruiser Study - Scheme 3"


Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of the process leading to the Alaska class (CB1-6) large cruiser design.
This plan, dated 20 March 1940, is for a ship of 17,300 tons standard displacement, with a main battery of six 12"/50 guns, a secondary battery of twelve 5"/38 guns and a 120,000 horsepower powerplant. Ship's dimensions are: waterline length 710'; beam 74'; draft 24.5'.
Scale of the original drawings is 1/32" = 1'.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 445KB; 3000 x 1815 pixels

 
Photo #: S-511-16

"Heavy Cruiser Study - Scheme 4-A - "Convertible""


Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of the process leading to the Alaska class (CB1-6) large cruiser design.
This plan, dated 10 April 1940, is for a ship of 17,500 tons standard displacement, with a main battery of twelve 8"/55 guns (convertible to six 12"/50 guns in twin turrets, mounted in the 1st, 2nd and 4th barbettes), a secondary battery of twelve 5"/38 guns and a 120,000 horsepower powerplant for a speed of 33.1 knots. Ship's dimensions are: waterline length 710'; beam 74.5'; draft 24.7'.
Scale of the original drawings is 1/32" = 1'.
The design would be similar if fitted with six 12"/50 guns (Scheme 4B), but displacement rises to 17850 tons, draft increases to 25 feet, speed drops to 33.0 knots and the ship would trim down 2.4 feet by the head.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 817KB; 3000 x 1825 pixels

 
Photo #: S-511-17

"12-Inch Gun Cruiser Study, CA2F"

(with hull sections for Schemes CA2E & F, G, H & I)

Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of the process leading to the Alaska class (CB1-6) large cruiser design.
This plan, dated 19 June 1940, is for a ship (CA2F) of 24,700 tons standard displacement and 28,300 tons trial displacement, with a main battery of seven 12"/50 guns, a secondary battery of twelve 5"/38 guns, and a 150,000 horsepower powerplant for a speed of 33 knots. Ship's dimensions are: waterline length 750'; beam 84'; draft 29'.
Scale of the original plan and side elevation drawings is 1/32" = 1'.
See Photo #: S-511-17 (complete caption) for discussion of Schemes CA2E through CA2I.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 630KB; 3000 x 1670 pixels

 
Photo #: S-511-50

"Aircraft Carrier, Converted from 12" Cruiser (Class CB 1-6)"


Preliminary design plan prepared for the General Board as part of an exploration of carrier conversions of warship hulls then under construction.
This plan, marked "Advance Print" and dated 3 January 1942, represents the conversion of Alaska class large cruiser hulls. It would have produced a ship similar in external appearance to the Essex (CV-9) class, but with lower freeboard, only two aircraft elevators, one catapult, and an 839' long flight deck somewhat offset to the port side. Aircraft capacity would have been lower than in the Essex design, with markedly reduced steaming endurance and modest anti-torpedo protection for the hull sides.

The original plan is in the 1939-1944 "Spring Styles Book" held by the Naval Historical Center.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 349KB; 3000 x 1315 pixels

 

For more images related to the Alaska class large cruisers, see: Alaska Class (CB-1 through CB-6).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 8 June 2000
Photo captions and picture data updated 31 March 2005