USS Cleveland

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Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
us_cruiser_cleveland_class_cleveland.png
GarageImage USS Cleveland.jpg
USS Cleveland
AB RB SB
6.0 6.0 6.0
Research:125 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:360 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Cleveland-class, USS Cleveland (CL-55), 1942 is a rank V American light cruiser with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Starfighters".

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Citadel127 / 127 / 51 mm
Main fire tower165 / 76 / 76 mm
Hull25 mm (steel)
Superstructure17 mm (steel)
Number of section8
Displacement13 897 t
Crew1 255 people

Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB70 / 21 km/h
RB60 / 18 km/h
Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 70 21
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 60 18

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB12 168 → 16 426 Sl icon.png
RB11 946 → 16 127 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications131 800 Rp icon.png
213 600 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training105 000 Sl icon.png
Experts360 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces620 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
450 / 600 / 100 % Sl icon.png
184 / 184 / 184 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
4 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
5 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 800 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
4 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
4 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
5 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 800 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
5 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 800 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
152mm_us_mk35_navy_ap_ammo_pack
Research:
6 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
4 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag base fuse tank.png
152mm_us_mk34_base_fuse_navy_he_ammo_pack
Research:
4 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
127mm_usa_mk46_special_common_sap_ammo_pack
Research:
4 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 800 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
5 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 800 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
5 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 800 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag proxi fuze ship.png
127mm_usa_mk31_aavt_radio_fuse_ammo_pack
Research:
5 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 800 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods shipSupportPlane.png
Hydroplane
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag proxi fuze ship.png
152mm_us_mk34_radio_fuse_navy_he_ammo_pack
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

4 х Turret3 x 6 inch/47 Mk.16 cannon
Ammunition600 rounds
Vertical guidance-5° / 40°
One of Cleveland's 6-inch triple turrets.

Cleveland carries a main armament of twelve 6"/47 Mk.16 guns in four triple turrets, two fore and two aft. As the standard main armament of American light cruisers, these guns are very effective anti-ship weapons. The guns are capable of firing at 10 rounds per minute (6-second reload), meaning that they have one of the highest fire rates for any 6 inch cannon (only the German triple 6-inch turrets fire faster at 12 rounds per minute). That means that you can output a crazy 120 six-inch shells per minute! The guns have good firing arcs and good ballistics as well for a gun of its size. However, they have a relatively slow turret traverse speed compared to its contemporaries.

The gun has access to four shell types - Mk.34 HC, Mk.35 AP, Mk. 34 HC with base fuse and Mk.34 HC-VT. Of these, the Mk. 35 AP is typically the best choice against armoured targets (i.e. heavy cruisers and battleships) as it is the only shell with good penetration values. The Mk.34 HC with base fuse could potentially be used against lighter-armoured cruisers, as it has superior penetration values compared to the original shell. Typically, one should take ~50% Mk.35 AP, ~40% Mk. 34 HC with base fuse, and ~10% Mk.34 HC-VT in case you want to attempt to shoot down aircraft with the main guns. The Mk.34 base fuse is superior to the original Mk.34 HC shell as it has better penetration values but retains the explosive mass.

Secondary armament

6 х Turret2 x 5 inch/38 Mk.12 cannon, mount Mk.28
Ammunition900 rounds

Cleveland is equipped with twelve 5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12 guns mounted in six twin dual-purpose turrets. These guns are extremely effective against surface and air targets alike, and are capable of firing at an obscene 22 rounds per minute while using first-stage ammunition. The weapon also has a very good vertical and horizontal rotation speed, and is capable of engaging aircraft due to its high-angle capability (up to 85 degrees).

Cleveland gets access to the standard three shell types - Mk.34 AAC, Mk.46 Common SP, and Mk.31 AAVT. The SP is typically the best pick for heavier-armoured targets such as cruisers, while the AAC shell works better against unarmoured targets due to its large explosive filler. The Mk.31 AAVT is a great option for dealing with air targets due to its proximity fuse - a single direct hit should be enough to destroy an incoming bomber.

Anti-aircraft armament

4 х Turret2 x 40 mm Bofors L/60 Mark 1 gun
Ammunition4000 rounds
Belt capacity4 rounds
Fire rate156 shots/min
13 х Turret20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II autocannon
Ammunition1800 rounds
Belt capacity60 rounds
Fire rate450 shots/min

Cleveland gets access to eight 40 mm Bofors guns in four twin mounts. These weapons are extremely potent anti-aircraft guns due to their accuracy and punching power. Though these weapons fire slower than the 20 mm Oerlikon or 12.7 mm AN-M2, they more than make up for it due to their hard-hitting 40 mm shells. These guns are capable of shredding aircraft and small boats from ranges of 2.5 km away, though effectiveness will drop off after that range due to the large bullet drop. The guns fire from 4-round clips that reload continuously, meaning that they are capable of continuous fire. However, note that they will eventually jam after firing too long.

Cleveland also gets access to 13 single 20 mm Oerlikon mounts. The 20 mm Oerlikon cannon was the standard light anti-aircraft gun for several nations, including the United States, and replaced the prior AN-M2 Browning machine gun. This weapon is an effective short-range AA gun, and has great firing angles. However, note that the weapon is rather ineffective at long ranges, as its 20 mm shells lose velocity pretty fast after ~1.5 km. As well, the guns fire from a drum magazine that will need to be reloaded. Because of the magazine design, the gun will not jam with continuous fire.

Usage in battles

USS Cleveland, being the multi role ship that she is, is quite versatile.

AA Boat: Cleveland's remarkable AA battery means she could easily devastate any plane that comes close to her, provided that your 5"/38 calibre guns have HE-VT ammo, otherwise aircraft could easily get into ordnance-dropping range.

Destroyer Hunter: Cleveland's primary armament of 12 x 6 inch guns allows her to get devastating salvos on her enemies, and with her base fuse ammunition she could easily sink an enemy DD with a couple salvos. Her secondary armament of 12 x 5 inch guns allows her to whittle down nearby DDs without you having to use your main guns.

Cruiser Killer: Cleveland's rapid fire main guns with excellent AP ammunition allow her to penetrate enemy light cruisers and some heavy cruiser's armour belts with ease, allowing her to slowly demolish their crew. While not as good at this as the USS Brooklyn (CL-40) or USS Helena (CL-50), she is still exceptional in this role.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 2 x triple-mount 6 inch and 2 x dual-mount 5 inch cannons can fire straight ahead, allowing decent firepower while only exposing a small silhouette towards the enemy
  • Excellent armour
  • Devastating AA suite

Cons:

  • Does not carry any torpedoes
  • Gets ammoracked easily when stock

History

USS Cleveland underway, late 1942.

The USS Cleveland (CL-55) was the lead ship of her class of light cruisers built for the United States Navy during the Second World War. Designed as a follow-up to the earlier Brooklyn-class light cruisers, the ship carried an improved secondary and anti-aircraft armament layout which was used for most successive American cruiser classes. Cleveland saw extensive service during the Second World War in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres; she was decommissioned after the war and eventually scrapped in 1960.

Design and development

The Cleveland class was designed as a follow-up to the previous Brooklyn class, with improved anti-aircraft protection, speed and range. After navy simulations found that the Brooklyn’s anti-aircraft armament was woefully inadequate for fending off large amounts of enemy aircraft, the Cleveland class’s design was modified to carry a heavily-improved anti-aircraft armament. The #3 turret of the Brooklyn was removed to accommodate a larger bridge and superstructure, which housed Cleveland's extensive fire control and radar systems. The secondary and anti-aircraft armament was also completely redesigned, focused on new 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikon cannons. The design was so successful that the Cleveland class would become the largest cruiser class ever built during WWII - a total of 52 ships were ordered, and 27 were completed to the Cleveland design. A further 13 ships were ordered under the improved Fargo class, while 9 ships were converted into light aircraft carriers. Cleveland, the lead ship of the class, was laid down on July 1st 1940, and following completion, was commissioned on June 15th 1942.

Cleveland’s main armament consisted of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) Mark 16 guns in four triple mounts, two fore and two aft. Her secondary armament was heavily improved, with twelve 5 inch (127 mm) Mk 12 guns in six dual turrets. Compared to the last Brooklyn subclass, the ships gained two more Mk 12 twin mounts as the removed 6-inch turret cleared up a lot of space. The Cleveland was initially armed with four dual Bofors mounts and 13 Oerlikon automatic guns for anti-aircraft defence, but similar to other American cruisers at the time, lacked torpedo armament. Her total crew complement was 1255 officers and men, and she had a maximum speed of 32.5 knots (60 km/h).

Operational history

Following her commissioning in June of 1942, Cleveland was immediately sent to join the Allied naval task force supporting the landings in North Africa. She remained there until November, when she was sent to the Pacific Theatre to support operations there. For most of late 1942 to early 1943, Cleveland was in the Guadalcanal area, where she escorted troop convoys and provided fire support. Later in 1943, she participated in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, where her radar-guided gunfire helped sink the Japanese cruiser Sendai.

In 1944, Cleveland participated in the Marinanas operation and later the battle of the Philippine Sea, which resulted in a total defeat for the Japanese naval force. She spent the latter part of 1944 supporting operations in the Philippines, based from Subic bay naval base. In July of 1945, she was sent to Okinawa, and performed patrols off of the east China sea until the Japanese surrender. After the end of the war, Cleveland repatriated allied prisoners, and later embarked on a training cruise that took her from Bermuda to Halifax. In 1947, Cleveland was inactivated, and eventually scrapped in 1960. She earned 13 battle stars for her WWII service.

Devblog

In 1938, the U.S. sought an expansion of its navy, following the increase in geopolitical tensions across the globe at the time. As a result, two new 6,000 ton light cruisers were ordered whose specifications complied with the restrictions applied by the Second London Naval Treaty of 1936. In 1939, this design was revised, having its displacement increased to 8,000 tons and the general layout resembling  a more compact Brooklyn-class cruiser.

Initially, plans were made for the construction of around 20 ships of this class. However, with the outbreak of WWII in September 1939, these plans were expanded to 52 ships and the design of the vessel had its displacement significantly increased again, since restrictions from previous treaties were no longer being taken into account. In reality however, 27 Cleveland-class cruisers would actually end up being built, with another 9 being converted into light aircraft carriers of the Independence-class.

USS Cleveland (CL-55), being the lead ship of the class, was laid down in July 1940 and saw completion in June 1942 when she also officially got commissioned into service with the USN. Upon entering service, USS Cleveland’s first mission involved providing fire support to allied troops landing in Morocco in October 1942. Shortly after, USS Cleveland set course for the Pacific Theater in December, where the ship would serve until the end of WWII.

Although USS Cleveland took part in many operations during her service career, one of her more notable engagements with the enemy was the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, where Cleveland among with some of her sister ships, successfully defeated a Japanese task force, bound to attack US forces stationed at Bougainville, during a decisive night battle. During the battle, Cleveland-class cruisers proved the effectiveness of their advanced fire control systems and showcased the class’ versatility, dealing large damage to both Japanese surface vessels as well as aircraft.

Following the end of hostilities in 1945, USS Cleveland was briefly part of the Allied occupation force in Japan, before sailing back to the U.S. in December that year. Following a brief overhaul in January, USS Cleveland was decommissioned in June 1946 and put into reserve in 1947. Ultimately, the ship was sold for scrap in February 1960, marking the end of her service career.

Media

See also

Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the ship;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

References

  • Helgason, G. (1995). USS Cleveland. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/2579.html
  • Woodford, S. R. (2019, August 27). Cleveland II (CL-55). Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/c/cleveland-ii.html
New York Shipbuilding Corporation
Gun Destroyers (DD) 
Porter-class  USS Porter
Cruiser, Light (CL) 
Cleveland-class  USS Cleveland
Fargo-class  USS Fargo
Worcester-class  USS Roanoke
Large Cruisers (CB) 
Alaska-class  USS Alaska
Battleships (BB) 
Wyoming-class  USS Arkansas

USA light cruisers
Omaha-class  USS Detroit · USS Raleigh · USS Trenton
Atlanta-class  USS Atlanta
Brooklyn-class  USS Brooklyn · USS Helena
Cleveland-class  USS Cleveland
Fargo-class  USS Fargo
Worcester-class  USS Roanoke