7074 USS NORTHAMPTON CLC-1

USS Northampton (CLC-1, initially CA-125) was designed as a heavy cruiser for the US Navy, but was eventually constructed as a Command Ship. The keel for this unit was laid in August 1944, but it was not launched until January 1951, and the final completion of the construction took place in 1953. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 205.7 m with a displacement of approximately 13,900 tons. The maximum speed was up to 33 knots. At the time of launching, the unit was armed with: 4 127 mm guns and 8 76 mm guns. The ship could also carry out air operations using a single helicopter. USS Northampton (CLC-1) was originally built as an Oregon City class heavy cruiser. Units of this type were essentially a slightly modernized Baltimore-class cruisers, and differed from them in a different construction of superstructures, slightly different anti-aircraft armament and layout of the rooms. In general, however, both types of cruisers had very similar capabilities and properties. However, still in the course of construction, the unit was redesigned and adapted to the role of a command ship. USS Northampton (CLC-1) was built at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. During its service, the unit operated mainly in the Atlantic, serving as a command ship in a team of battleships and in an amphibious team. She has participated in numerous exercises by NATO's naval forces. USS Northampton (CLC-1) was decommissioned in 1977.