The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 5-Inch, 38-Caliber Naval Rifle

**Mike Irwin** · August 3, 2001, 11:38 AM

Gary,

The 5"/38 formed the main armament for 1 light cruiser class during WW II -- the Atlantas.

They were armed with 16 guns mounted in 8 double turrets, 6 on the centerline (3 forward superfiring, 3 aft superfiring), and two wing turrets just ahead of the aft centerline turrets.

Only 4 Atlanta-class cruisers were built:

Atlanta - Lost during sea battles around Guadalcanal.

Juneau - Lost in the same action as Atlanta, taking the 5 Sullivan Brothers with her.

San Diego - Scrapped in 1960.

San Juan - Scrapped in 1961.

During the war the two survivors were reclassified as Ligh Anti-Aircraft Cruisers.

I'm certain that had the VT Proximity fuse been available earlier, when these ships were in design, more would have been constructed simply for anti-air use.

August 3, 2001, 11:38 AM	#25
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Gary, The 5"/38 formed the main armament for 1 light cruiser class during WW II -- the Atlantas. They were armed with 16 guns mounted in 8 double turrets, 6 on the centerline (3 forward superfiring, 3 aft superfiring), and two wing turrets just ahead of the aft centerline turrets. Only 4 Atlanta-class cruisers were built: Atlanta - Lost during sea battles around Guadalcanal. Juneau - Lost in the same action as Atlanta, taking the 5 Sullivan Brothers with her. San Diego - Scrapped in 1960. San Juan - Scrapped in 1961. During the war the two survivors were reclassified as Ligh Anti-Aircraft Cruisers. I'm certain that had the VT Proximity fuse been available earlier, when these ships were in design, more would have been constructed simply for anti-air use. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.