Changes

| type=Heavy cruiser

| type=Heavy cruiser

| displ=27,000 t

| displ=27,000 t

| length=808 ft 6 in

| length=808 ft 6 in

| beam=97 ft 9 in

| beam=97 ft 9 in

| draft=27 ft 1 in

| draft=27 ft 1 in

| speed=31.4 knots

| speed=31.4 knots

| test=

| test=

==History==

==History==

The Navy had been considering since 1938 building ships of this entirely new type, intermediate in size between battleships and heavy cruisers. The new ships were to carry out what were then the two primary missions of heavy cruisers: protecting carrier strike groups against enemy cruisers and aircraft and operating independently against enemy surface forces. Their extra size and larger guns would enhance their value in both these missions and would also provide insurance against reports that [[Japan]] was building "super cruisers" more powerful than U.S. heavy cruisers. In fact, Japan developed plans for two such ships in 1941--partly as a response to the ''Alaskas'', but never placed orders for their construction.

The Navy had been considering since 1938 building ships of this entirely new type, intermediate in size between battleships and heavy cruisers. The new ships were to carry out what were then the two primary missions of heavy cruisers: protecting carrier strike groups against enemy cruisers and aircraft and operating independently against enemy surface forces. Their extra size and larger guns would enhance their value in both these missions and would also provide insurance against reports that [[Japan]] was building "super cruisers" more powerful than U.S. heavy cruisers. In fact, Japan developed plans for two such ships in 1941—partly as a response to the ''Alaskas'', but never placed orders for their construction.

As built, the ''Alaskas'' were much closer to cruisers in design than to battleships or battlecruisers. They lacked the multiple layers of compartmentation and special armor along the sides below the waterline that protected battleships against torpedoes and underwater hits by gunfire. Other typical cruiser features in their design were the provision of aircraft hangars and the single large rudder. Unlike other U.S. cruisers of the day, the hangars and catapults were located amidships, and the single rudder made them difficult to maneuver. On the other hand, the ''Alaskas''' side armor covered more of the hull than was standard in contemporary U.S. cruisers.

As built, the ''Alaskas'' were much closer to cruisers in design than to battleships or battlecruisers. They lacked the multiple layers of compartmentation and special armor along the sides below the waterline that protected battleships against torpedoes and underwater hits by gunfire. Other typical cruiser features in their design were the provision of aircraft hangars and the single large rudder. Unlike other U.S. cruisers of the day, the hangars and catapults were located amidships, and the single rudder made them difficult to maneuver. On the other hand, the ''Alaskas''' side armor covered more of the hull than was standard in contemporary U.S. cruisers.