USS Pensacola

USS Pensacola

USS Portland

USS Cleveland

USS Pensacola

USS Portland

USS Cleveland

USA

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.3	5.3

Class:

Heavy cruiser

Research:89 000

Purchase:300 000

Show in game

Description

The Pensacola-class, USS Pensacola (CA-24), 1941 is a rank IV American heavy cruiser with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.93 "Shark Attack".

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Citadel32 / 76 / 25 mm

Main fire tower64 / 19 / 19 mm

Hull19 mm (steel)

Superstructure17 mm (steel)

Number of section8

Displacement12 050 t

Crew923 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

Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.

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

AB10 860 → 14 660

RB11 028 → 14 887

Total cost of modifications81 900

141 000

Talisman cost1 700

Crew training87 000

Experts300 000

Aces1 100

Research Aces520 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

450 / 600 / 100 %

172 / 172 / 172 %

Modifications

Seakeeping	Unsinkability	Firepower
Dry-Docking Research: 3 900 Cost: 6 700 250 Rudder Replacement Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 230 Propeller Replacement Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 Engine Maintenance Research: 5 100 Cost: 8 800 330	Damage Control Division Research: 3 900 Cost: 6 700 250 Fire Division Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 230 Smokescreen Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 230 Shrapnel Protection Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 Ventilation Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 New Pumps Research: 5 100 Cost: 8 800 330 Ammo Wetting Research: 5 100 Cost: 8 800 330	Anti-Air Armament Targeting Research: 3 900 Cost: 6 700 250 203mm_us_mk19_navy_ap_ammo_pack Research: 3 900 Cost: 6 700 250 Auxiliary Armament Targeting Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 230 203mm_us_mk25_navy_hc_ammo_pack Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 230 203mm_us_mk25_navy_hc_ammo_pack Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 230 Primary Armament Targeting Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 127mm_usa_mk36_navy_radio_fuse_ammo_pack Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 Improved Rangefinder Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 Hydroplane Research: 5 100 Cost: 8 800 330 203mm_us_mk17_navy_special_common_ammo_pack Research: 5 100 Cost: 8 800 330

Armament

Primary armament

2 х Turret2 x 8 inch/55 Mark 9 cannon

Ammunition300 rounds

Vertical guidance-5° / 41°

2 х Turret3 x 8 inch/55 Mark 9 cannon

Ammunition450 rounds

Vertical guidance-5° / 41°

The Pensacola carries a main armament of ten 8"/55 Mk.15 guns in two triple and two twin mounts. These guns are the standard armament for American heavy cruisers, and pack an impressive punch. The guns have good ballistics, and can access four shell types: Mk.14 Common, Mk.19 APCBC, Mk.25 HC and Mk.17 SP Common. Of these shells, the Mk.17 Special Common shell is most effective against cruisers, as it has a great explosive mass and enough penetration for most cruiser main armour belts. The Mk.19 APCBC shell can be used against heavily-armoured targets, but has a relatively small explosive mass of 1.65 kg. Finally, the HC shell, with almost 10 kilograms of explosive filler, is highly effective against destroyers and unarmoured vessels.

However, the guns have two main drawbacks. Firstly, they have the slowest reload speed of any 8-inch gun, with a fire rate of just three rounds per minute (20-second gun reload). This means that they fire much slower than their contemporaries, which typically have a fire rate of five rounds per minute (12-second reload). As well, the guns have the slowest horizontal turret rotation speed of any heavy cruiser, at just 3.1 degrees/second (comparatively, the Admiral Hipper's guns rotate at 6.8 degrees/second).

Secondary armament

8 х Turret5 inch/25 Mk.13 AA cannon

Ammunition200 rounds

The Pensacola carries a secondary armament of eight 5"/25 Mk.13 anti-aircraft guns, mounted on single open-mounts. These cannons are very effective medium-to-long range anti-aircraft guns, but are not effective against any armoured targets. They have access to just two shell types - Mk.36 AAC (HE-TF) and Mk.28 AAC (HE-VT). The former is a time-fuse shell (meaning that the fuze is set before the weapon is fired), while the latter is a proximity fuze shell that explodes automatically upon reaching the target. Both shells are ineffective against armoured targets, having ~35 mm of penetration. However, they are both capable of dealing with air and unarmoured targets quite effectively. The HE-VT shell is typically the better pick, as it offers greatly-improved efficiency against air targets.

The guns themselves are relatively good at short-range defence, being capable of firing at 20 rounds per minute (3-second reload). As well, they have very good vertical and horizontal firing angles. However, take note that the guns fire at a low muzzle velocity of 657 m/s which should be accounted for when manually aiming.

Anti-aircraft armament

2 х Turret4 x 1.1 inch/75 Mk.1 automatic gun

Ammunition7800 rounds

Belt capacity65 rounds

Fire rate150 shots/min

4 х Turret12.7 mm Browning AN-M2 machine gun

Ammunition2000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Fire rate577 shots/min

The 1.1 inch/75 Mk.1 gun, otherwise known as the "Chicago Piano" (because it was the size of a baby grand-piano), was the standard anti-aircraft armament for most American ships prior to the introduction of the 40 mm Bofors cannon - Pensacola carries two of these quad-mount guns. These guns are mediocre at best; though they have a good fire rate (similar to the AN-M2 Browning), they aren't too effective at dealing damage, and also jam rather quickly. As well, take note that the gun doesn't have ammunition options.

Pensacola also carries four AN-M2 anti-aircraft guns. The AN-M2 is a navalised anti-aircraft version of the popular Browning machine gun. This gun is rather ineffective at dealing significant damage to enemy aircraft, and is only effective within ~1.5-2 kilometres at most. As well, keep in mind that these guns have a long 12-second reload after the gun's magazine has been used.

Additional armament

Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes.

If there is no additional armament, remove this section.

Usage in battles

Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).

Modules

Tier	Seakeeping	Unsinkability		Firepower
I	Dry-Docking	Tool Set		8 inch Mk.19 APCBC		Anti-Air Armament Targeting
II	Rudder Replacement	Fire Protection System	Smokescreen	8 inch Mk.25 HC		Auxiliary Armament Targeting
III	Propeller Replacement	Shrapnel Protection	Ventilation	5 inch Mk.28 AAC-VT	Improved Rangefinder	Primary Armament Targeting
IV	Engine Maintenance	New Pumps	Ammo Wetting	8 inch Mk.17 SP Common

Pros and cons

Pros:

• If you do manage to connect it can cause high damage

Cons:

• Fire rate so slow compared to other nations you are better off sticking to Helena, Cleveland, and Brooklyn
• No torpedoes
• Poor AA
• Players will target you assuming you are one of the most dangerous ships in the US fleet

History

USS Pensacola underway in September of 1935.

USS Pensacola was the lead ship of the Pensacola class of heavy cruisers, built for the US navy in the interwar period. Built up to the limitations of the Washington naval treaty, she was the first class of “treaty cruiser” and also the first American cruiser to feature an 8-inch main armament. Pensacola saw extensive service during the Second World War, and was almost sunk by Japanese torpedoes during the Battle of Tassafaronga. After the war, she was used as a target during Operation Crossroads, and was later sunk as a target ship.

Design and Development

After the end of the First World War, the only major cruiser class of the United States Navy were the Omaha class - these ships ended up a disappointment due to their awkwardly-placed main battery and light armour. As a result, the United States Navy set out to produce the first new class of “light cruisers” - the Pensacola class. Due to the Washington Naval Treaty (signed in 1920), the ships could only be built up to 10000 tons standard. The first of these ships, Pensacola, was laid down in October of 1926 and completed by April of 1930. She was subsequently redesignated as a heavy cruiser (due to her high-caliber main armament) and became the first heavy cruiser class of the United States Navy.

Pensacola displaced 9100 tons standard and was 178 metres long. Her main armament consisted of 10 8-inch (203 mm) guns in a unique configuration - two twin turrets and two triple turrets, one of each being located fore and aft. She carried a secondary armament of eight single 5-inch (127 mm) guns on beam positions. Her initial anti-aircraft armament was sparse, but was improved over time. Pensacola was the first American cruiser to lack torpedo tubes - the American design of “gun cruiser” would be continued with all following cruiser classes except the Atlanta class.

Operational history

Following her commissioning, the Pensacola joined the US Atlantic Fleet where she operated for the next four years. In 1935, she transited the Panama canal to join the Pacific Fleet at San Diego, where she would be based for the rest of her interwar career. She frequently participated in fleet exercises that took her everywhere from Alaska to Midway atoll. She was also one of six ships to receive the CXAM radar system in 1940, the first operational ship-based radar of the United States Navy.

Pensacola departed Pearl Harbour shortly before the raid and headed to the port of Brisbane in Australia after the attack. She then rendezvoused with Task Force (TF) 11, centered around the carrier Lexington. In April of 1942, she returned to Pearl Harbour and was reassigned to the Enterprise escort group. She was still serving in this capacity during the Battle of Midway, where planes from the Enterprise and Yorktown crippled the Japanese carriers Kaga, Akagi, Soryu and Hiryu, the core of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the course of the battle, she was detached to the Yorktown’s escort group, and provided anti-aircraft cover when the carrier was struck by Japanese torpedoes. She managed to shoot down six enemy torpedo bombers, but in vain, as the Yorktown was hit by two more torpedoes and had to be abandoned.

After the Midway battle, Pensacola returned to Pearl Harbour, and was reassigned to the carrier Hornet’s escort squadron. She was still serving in this capacity during the Battle of the Coral Sea, and was providing AA fire when the Hornet was hit by multiple enemy bombs and sunk. She was reassigned to USS Enterprise, and provided cover as the carrier launched aircraft during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Battle of Tassafaronga

USS Pensacola alongside the repair ship USS Vestal after she was damaged by Japanese torpedoes at the Battle of Tassafaronga.

After the battle of Guadalcanal, Pensacola was reassigned to TF 67 (with four other heavy cruisers and several destroyers) to attack Japanese forces in the Guadalcanal area. On the night of the 30th of November, they encountered a Japanese transport squadron and promptly engaged them: this battle would be known as the Battle of Tassafaronga. During the battle, Pensacola, along with the other ships, spotted a Japanese troop convoy heading for the Solomons, escorted by eight destroyers. And thus began a short engagement limited by poor night-time visibility where the Japanese destroyer Takamani was sunk by gunfire. However, the rest of the Japanese destroyers were not fired upon, and launched a large number of Type 93 ‘Long Lance’ heavy oxygen torpedoes.

At 23:27, the cruiser USS Minneapolis was hit by two torpedoes in her engine rooms causing her to take heavy damage. New Orleans, the second cruiser in line, took evasive action but was hit by a Type 93 that detonated her forward ammunition magazines and destroyed her bow. As Pensacola turned to avoid the two heavily-damaged cruisers, she was hit by a torpedo underneath her mainmast that caused severe damage - her engine room flooded and her oil tanks were set on fire. The fires then spread aft and eventually caused her rear ammunition magazines to detonate, causing further damage. Pensacola limped back to port, still on fire, with 125 men dead and 68 more injured. 

Later service

Pensacola was given emergency repairs by the repair ship Vestal before proceeding back to Pearl Harbour for permanent repairs. She was fully operational again by November of 1943, and spent the last two years of war serving in various capacities. She participated in the battle of Leyte Gulf, and later served in the invasion of Okinawa as a fire support ship. At the end of the war, Pensacola was anchored at Adak Station in Alaska.

Following the cessation of hostilities, Pensacola returned to the Eastern theatre, arriving at Ominato Harbour in Northern Honshu. She then embarked on a long journey back home, repatriating two hundred American veterans to Pearl Harbour, and eight hundred more back to the harbour of San Diego. From there, she embarked on her final trip to Bikini Atoll in the southern Pacific, where she was to be expended as a target ship during the American nuclear bomb tests. She survived both drops, and was studied by the USN to determine the effects of the radiation. She was then finally sunk as a target ship in 1948. Throughout the course of the war, Pensacola received 13 battle stars for her service.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

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

• [Devblog] Rank V in the War Thunder Navy: The USS Pensacola

References

• Chen, P. C. (2004). Heavy Cruiser Pensacola. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from https://ww2db.com/ship_spec.php?ship_id=303
• Rickard, J. (2014, January 31). USS Pensacola (CA-24). Retrieved January 12, 2021, from http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_USS_Pensacola_CA24.html
• Schulman, M. (1996). USS Pensacola CA-24Hi. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from https://www.historycentral.com/navy/cruiser/Pensacola.html

Brooklyn Navy Yard
Cruiser, Light (CL)
Brooklyn-class	USS Brooklyn · USS Helena
Heavy Cruisers (CA)
Pensacola-class	USS Pensacola
Battleships (BB)
Pennsylvania-class	USS Arizona

USA heavy cruisers
Pensacola-class	USS Pensacola
Northampton-class	USS Northampton
Portland-class	USS Portland
New Orleans-class	USS New Orleans
Baltimore-class	USS Baltimore · USS Pittsburgh
Des Moines-class	USS Des Moines · USS Newport News