Sisters at Sea, Haze Gray Ladies Underway (Anchors Aweigh)

Thank you Canberra, for the years we were allowed to serve you......
Members of the Crew

Displacement: 17,685 tons full load
Dimensions: L 673.5 x B 70.5 x D 32 ft
Propuslion: Steam turbines, 4 615 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 120,000 hp, 30+ knots
Crew: 1625
Armament: 2 twin Terrier (144 missiles total), 2 triple 8/55, 5 dual 5/38, 6 dual 3/50 (Canberra: 4 dual 3/50)
Armor: 4-6 inch belt, 2.5 inch deck, 1.5-8 inch turrets, 6-6.3 inch barbettes, 1.5 inch missile magazines

Guided missile conversions of Baltimore class heavy cruisers. This was only a partial conversion, with a full conversion to be carried out if the weapons were successful. The forward 5" and 8" guns were unchanged and the forward superstructure was somewhat modified; the two funnels were trunked to one and the entire aft superstructure was replaced. Two Terrier launchers fitted aft in place of the original 5" and 8" guns. Two more Terrier launchers would have been added forward, but the missiles were rapidly outdated. Ships were obsolete by 1964; various proposals for limited modernization or complete reconstruction were not carried out. Both ships became CAs in 1968, with the 8" guns considered the main armament.

CA 69/CAG 1/CA 69 Boston
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 30 June 1941, launched 26 Aug 1942, commissioned 30 June 1943. Decommissioned 29 Oct 1946. To CAG 1 Jan 1952, converted at NY Shipbuilding 11 April 1952 to 14 Oct 1955, recommissioned 1 Nov 1955. Two dual 3/50 later removed. To CA 69 May 1968. Decommissioned 5 May 1970, stricken 4 Jan 1974, sold 28 March 1975, scrapped.

CA 70/CAG 2/CA 70 Canberra (ex Pittsburgh)
Built by Bethlehem Quincy. Laid down 3 Sept 1941, launched 19 April 1943, commissioned 14 Oct 1943. Torpedoed 13 Oct 1944. Decommissioned 7 March 1947. To CAG 2 Jan 1952, converted at NY Shipbuilding 30 June 1952 to 1 June 1956, recommissioned 15 June 1956. To CA 70 May 1968, missiles removed. Decommissioned 2 Feb 1970, stricken 31 July 1978, sold 31 July 1980, scrapped.

Taps A sad day when these proud warriors were scrapped......
Stars and Stripes Forever That said, a happier note dedicated to those who served...........And saw the band assembled on the forecastle as two fighting ships pull alongside at sea..........
Star Spangled Banner A final tribute to what it is all about on this nostalgic July 4, 1997. God bless those who gave all.

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