The USS Alaska (CB-1) was immediately eye-catching, with her impressive stature and notable attributes. While classified a large cruiser, her structure and capabilities were so striking that she frequently evoked comparisons to battleships. Alaska astounded sailors with her swiftness and formidable weaponry, yet her impact on World War II was hindered by commissioning delays and modifications, deviating from the intended circumstances during her conception.
History behind the Alaska-class of large cruisers
The USS Alaska had the prestigious role as the flagship of the Alaska-class large cruisers. Originally conceived as a family of six, only Alaska and the USS Guam (CB-2) reached completion, while a third vessel was cancelled during the construction phase.
These cruisers, the largest constructed by the United States during the Second World War, occupied a unique niche, bridging the gap between conventional cruisers and battleships. Unlike traditional cruisers, known for their speed, heavy armament and light armor, the Alaska-class struck a balance that offered formidable firepower.
Before the war, the Washington Naval Treaty restricted cruisers to 10,000 tons and eight-inch guns. However, by the late 1930s, intelligence suggested Japan was constructing mammoth “super cruisers” that surpassed any in the US fleet. With aircraft carriers yet to dominate naval strategy, the US Navy countered by developing its own large cruisers to confront these formidable Japanese ships.
Each ship in the class, even those that were scrapped, bore the names of US territories, emblematic of their unique status between battleships and cruisers.
Alaska-class specs
Even though there were only two Alaska-class large cruisers constructed, they were mighty vessels. At 808 feet long, they were about as long as the German battleship Bismarck, and with a displacement of 34,000 tons were heavier than Essex-class carriers. Powered by eight Babcock and Wilcox boilers, the Alaska-class could reach speeds of up to 38 MPH and had a range of 12,000 nautical miles.
As aforementioned, they were heavily-armed. The vessels’ main battery consisted of nine 12-inch/50 Mk 8 naval guns and two forward turrets in a superfiring position and one aft. Six turrets housed another 12 five-inch/38 dual-purpose guns, while 56 quad-mounted Bofors 40 mm guns and 34 single-mounted 20 mm Oerlikon guns served as the ships’ light anti-aircraft defense.
Compared to battleships of the same era, the Alaska-class featured relatively thin armor, but it was by no means poor. Their belt armor was 229 mm thick, while the armor on their deck was 102 mm thick. Their turret faces featured 325 mm-thick armor. This was much less than vessels like the Japanese battleship Yamato or the USS Missouri (BB-63), but was comparable to older and smaller battleships.
Combat in the Pacific Theater had changed come 1944
Construction commenced in December 1941, just days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the USS Alaska was commissioned on June 17, 1944. However, by this time, the original purpose of countering Japanese commerce raiders had proved impractical, and the dynamics of maritime power had undergone substantial changes.
During the initial order for Alaska, heavily armed ships dominated the seas. Yet, by mid-1944, the unquestionable ascendancy of aircraft carriers had emerged. Even the most formidable battleships were vulnerable to airborne attacks from hundreds of miles away, lacking sufficient defenses. Lightly-armored vessels, like those of the Alaska-class, were particularly exposed.
Consequently, they were repurposed as fast carrier escorts, entrusted with the crucial mission of safeguarding carriers from both aerial and maritime threats.
The USS Alaska (CB-1) supported US action on Iwo Jima and Okinawa
In early 1945, the USS Alaska played a crucial role in supporting the US landings on Iwo Jima, providing protection for the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and Saratoga (CV-3). She subsequently joined up both with the USS Yorktown (CV-10) and Intrepid (CV-11) to conduct airstrikes on Okinawa.
During the Battle of Okinawa, Alaska experienced her first taste of combat, facing a fierce Japanese air strike against the US fleet. In the heat of battle, she successfully shot down two Japanese aircraft, including one attempting to crash into Intrepid.
One night in March 1945, Alaska unleashed a barrage of firepower on Minamidaitō, firing forty-five 12-inch shells and 352 five-inch shells. Then, on April 11, she downed one Japanese aircraft and likely another, possibly a Kugisho MXY7 Ohka 22.
The USS Alaska (CB-1) was ultimately decommissioned
Throughout the latter part of the Second World War, the USS Alaska undertook similar assignments, later joining the occupation force in Japan. She played a role in Operation Magic Carpet, ferrying American troops back home before being retired from active duty in August 1946.
Less than a year later, on February 17, 1947, Alaska was decommissioned.
Efforts were made to explore the possibility of repurposing both Alaska and Guam, but studies revealed such endeavors would be prohibitively expensive. As such, both ships were removed from the Naval Vessel Register and scrapped during the early 1960s.
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Despite arriving late to the war (and without much purpose), the USS Alaska was put to work and scored several victories, kept her crew safe and earned three battle stars.
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