U.S.S. Little Rock CL 92
"Little
Rock" The capital of Arkansas
Specifications
as CL 92
Displacement:
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10,000
tons
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Length:
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610' 1"
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Beam:
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66' 4"
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Draft:
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20'
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Speed:
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33 knots
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Complement:
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992 men
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Armament:
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12 ea. 6" (4 triple mounts)
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12 ea. 5" (6 twin mounts)
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28 ea. 40 mm
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10 ea. 20 mm
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3 ea.
Curtiss SC-1 "Seahawk"
Seaplanes
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History
USS Little Rock CL 92 was laid down by Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA on 06 March 1943; launched on 27 August 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Sam Wassell, and commissioned 17 June 1945 with Capt. William E. Miller USN in command. (Five additional Commanding Officers would command the Little Rock during her service as CL 92.)
After shakedown off Cuba and training along the Atlantic coast, Little Rock departed Newport, RI on 21 October for South America. Following a five month cruise to many Latin American countries the cruiser returned to Norfolk, VA on 23 March 1946. For the next two months she performed exercises off the East Coast and in the Caribbean, before sailing for Europe on 04 June 1946. After operating with the 6th Fleet throughout the summer the Little Rock returned to Norfolk on 27 September 1946. USS Little Rock was later removed from her mothballed status in the Reserve Fleet, reclassified as CLG 4, and then extensively retro-fitted before being put back into service as a Galveston Class guided missile cruiser. (Refer to the CLG 4 History page for more information.)
From September 1946 until June 1949, the cruiser performed East Coast exercises, operated in the Caribbean on training maneuvers, and sailed throughout the Mediterranean during 1947 and 1948.
On 24 June 1949 Little Rock was decommissioned and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at New York. To see a complete list of places the ship and crew visited, go to the "Places visited by the U.S.S. Little Rock …" page.
U.S. Cruiser
Little Rock
Launched
Philadelphia, Pa. Aug. 27 (AP)
The U.S.S. Little
Rock, a 10,000- ton light cruiser, slid down the ways into the Delaware
river today at the Cramp Shipbuilding Company yards here.
Mrs. Samuel M. Wassell, wife of a Little Rock councilman,
christened the vessel. Congressman Brooks Hays, Arkansas, told the
crowd of approxi- mately 5,000 workers and guests that cruisers were "the
hottest item of naval combat."
"The people of Little Rock are pround to have such a ship
as this bear their city's name." said Mr. Hays. "Even those of us who
know little about the classification of naval vessels know that the
cruisers have distinguished themselves in the Pacific war and that
this is the outstanding type of combat ves- sel for that area. The navy
men tell us that the cruiser is the 'work horse of the navy,' big
enough to go into any battle, fast enough to lead any task force
"Carrying as it has the heaviest load in the Pacific where
the great- est battle have taken place the cruisers have added luster
to naval history. We hope that in the time remaining before our enemies
are put down the Little Rock will take her place along
side the Boise, the San Francisco, the Helena, and the Chicago,
preserving the prestige of the cruisers.
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"We are glad to honor the workmen and the company for
which they work. I am sure we are all impressed with the spirit of
teamwork which produced the results we observe today. In March, 1943
the keel was laid and for 18 months materials for the ship have come
from everywhere. The taxes to pay for it will be assesed against men
and women of great and little resources.Teamwork from beginning to
end did the job.
"So with the war. A glorious victory lies ahead
but there is much remaining to be done. Only teamwork can supply the
dynamic power yet needed to complete that victory. Every ship
launching is a reminder of the power that comes to a people who work
together to achieve."
McClellan,
Fulbright Attend
Other guests included U.S. Senator John L. McClellan and
Congressman and Mrs. J. William Fulbright, Arkansas.
The Little Rock, a vessel of the Cleveland class, will
mount 12 six- inch guns in four turrets as a main battery and will have
secondary and anti-aircraft battery of guns of smaller calibre.
From the Arkansas Gazette
Monday, August 28, 1944
Front Page
Vol. 125, #278
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