Providence class cruiser

Originally built as "Cleveland"-class light cruisers (CL) in the United States Navy during World War II, in 1957 three ships were re-designated as "Providence"-class guided missile light cruisers (CLG) and fitted with the Terrier surface-to-air missile system. During the two year refit, the aft superstructure was completely replaced and all aft guns were removed to make room for the twin-arm Terrier launcher and a 120 missile storage magazine. Three large masts were also installed in order to hold a variety of radars, missile guidance, and communications systems. "Providence" and "Springfield" were simultaneously converted into fleet flagships, which involved removing two forward dual 5 inch and one triple 6 inch turrets, and replacing them with a massively rebuilt and expanded forward superstructure. "Topeka", in the non-flagship configuration, retained the "Cleveland"-class's standard forward weapons: three dual 5 inch and two triple 6 inch turrets.

All three ships were decommissioned to the reserve fleet between 1969 and 1974. In the 1975 cruiser realignment, "Providence" and "Springfield" were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG). The ships were stricken from the Naval Vessel Register between 1974 and 1980, and eventually sold for scrap.

The Providence class ships

External links

* [http://www.hazegray.org hazegray.org]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil US Naval Historical Center]