Cleveland-class light cruiser

The Cleveland-class light cruiser was a type of light cruiser (CL) in service with the United States Navy during World War II. By the time it entered service, while World War II had already begun, it was considered to be a state-of-the-art light cruiser, and were considered the best ships in their type in the world.

Armament
The Cleveland class was armed with a main battery of twelve 6" guns on four turrets, alongside twelve 5" dual-purpose guns placed in six turrets midships. The main battery gave the ship considerable firepower against any other warship that was lighter than a battleship, with its secondary battery of dual-purpose guns allowing for a broadside of large proportions. The dual-purpose guns were also ideal to provide an excellent anti-air suite, affording the Cleveland class heavy AA firepower in every direction. The Cleveland class did not carry torpedo tubes, making the ship class ineffective against battleships and similar ships.

Design
The design of the Cleveland class included two seaplane launchers at the aft of the ship, both on port and starboard. Additionally, a crane was situated at the stern of the vessel. The Cleveland class consisted of a forward main mast and a secondary aft mast, with two smokestacks in between them along with two lifeboats and other systems on a gap. The main mast consisted of the bridge, as well as one of two radar systems and antennas. A light machine gun nest was located at the front above the bridge, with a heavy machine gun nest at port and starboard, also located above the bridge and below the radar system. Three of the six dual-purpose 5" guns were located at the base of the mast, facing forward, port, and starboard.

The secondary mast consisted of another radar system, along with a port and starboard heavy machine gun nest. At the base of the secondary mast was located the remaining three dual-purpose guns facing stern, port, and starboard, and were supplemented with two light machine guns, each at port and starboard. Two turrets of the main battery faced the stern, while the other two turrets were at the front forward of the main mast.

Role
Due to its characteristics, the Cleveland class served as an excellent aircraft carrier escort ship. The Cleveland class was considered strong against destroyers and light cruisers, but weak against heavy cruisers, battleships, and submarines.

History
The USS Phoenix and the USS Sacramento were both located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during the Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 7th, 1941. The USS Phoenix was stationary in shallow water near the battleships USS Nevada, USS Arizona, and others. The USS Sacramento was docked near USS Downes and the battleship USS California.

A Cleveland-class light cruiser, the USS Helena participated in the Battle of Cape Esperance on October 11th, 1942, alongside the Northampton-class cruiser USS San Francisco and the Clemson-class destroyers USS Duncan and USS Farenholt. The initial engagement consisted of Helena, Duncan, and Farenholt being engaged by a Takao class heavy cruiser, the Aoba, and two Fubuki-class destroyers, the Fubuki and the Hatsuyuki. A second wave of two Takao class heavy cruisers, the Kinugasa and the Furutaka engaged the American warships. Eventually during the battle, another Cleveland class light cruiser was active, but was stranded and mortally damaged by a destroyer. Further actions included the presence of a cargo ship escorted by two destroyers towards the south, along with several Gyoraitei patrol boats and five oil tankers, which are all destroyed.

A Cleveland-class light cruiser, the USS Santa Fe, participated in the Invasion of Tarawa, and was situated near the battleships USS Colorado and USS Maryland, which were bombarding the island.

Ships in the class

 * Unidentified Cleveland-class light cruiser (Cape Esperance) (USS Boise)
 * USS Alaska
 * USS Biloxi
 * USS Boston
 * USS Helena
 * USS Miami
 * USS Phoenix
 * USS Sacramento
 * USS San Francisco
 * USS Santa Fe
 * USS Vincennes

Trivia

 * If you fire volleys when using the Cleveland class' artillery, most of the shots you fired will miss. To counter this, fire single shots instead of volleys.
 * It's Japanese counterpart is the Agano class. If the Agano class cruiser had no torpedo tubes, a Cleveland class cruiser would beat the Agano almost certainly due to the awesome amount of guns the Cleveland class has.

Real-world facts

 * The Cleveland class entered service in 1942, following the start of World War II for the United States.
 * The Cleveland class had fifty-two ships planned, however, only twenty-seven were completed, with the rest being converted into escort aircraft carriers or reordered as Fargo-class cruisers.