Chester-class cruiser
 |
 USS Chester
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | list error: <br /> list (help) Fore River Shipyard Bath Iron Works |
| Succeeded by | Omaha-class cruiser |
| Built | 1905–1907 |
| In commission | 1908–1923 |
| Completed | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Light cruiser |
| Displacement | 3,750 long tons (3,810 t) |
| Length | 423.1 ft (129.0 m) |
| Beam | 47.1 ft (14.4 m) |
| Draft | 16.8 ft (5.1 m) |
| Speed | 24 kn (27.6 mph; 44.4 km/h) |
| Complement | 359 |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) • 2 × 5 in (127 mm) guns • 6 × 3 in (76.2 mm) guns • 2 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes |
The Chester class of light cruisers were the first United States Navy vessels to be designed and designated as fast Scout Cruisers for fleet reconnaissance. In 1920 the Scout Cruisers were redesignated Light Cruisers. The three ships were built to slightly different designs for the sake of comparison: Chester was the first major combatant in the USN to have steam-turbine propulsion, of the Parsons type; Salem received Curtis turbines and Birmingham traditional reciprocating steam engines.
Birmingham was the first ship in the world to launch an airplane, in 1910.
Ships
External links
Media related to Chester class cruisers at Wikimedia Commons