700907 U.S. NAVY DES MOINES CA-134

USS Des Moines (CA-134) was an American heavy cruiser, the keel of which was laid in May 1945, launched in September 1946, and commissioned by the US Navy in 1948. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 218.4 m, width 23.3 m, with a standard displacement of approx. 17,500 tons. The maximum speed was up to 33 knots. The armament of the unit at the time of launching mainly consisted of: 9 203 mm AA guns, 6 twin 127 mm AA guns and 12 twin 76 mm AA guns. The ship could also initially carry out air operations using 2 seaplanes, but over time it was adapted to operate a single helicopter. USS Des Moines (CA-134) was the first of two Des Moines-class cruisers built. Units of this type were clearly based on the Baltimore class ships, but they were characterized by larger hull dimensions, a significantly improved engine room and generally more efficient propulsion system, as well as the use of innovative main artillery hold systems. The latter solution significantly improved the rate of fire. It also turned out that the ships of this class were the last heavy cruisers in the US Navy with only artillery armament. USS Des Moines (CA-134) was built at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. In the years 1949-1957, the unit operated in the Mediterranean as part of the American Sixth Fleet. During this period, he also took part in several exercises of NATO's naval forces. In 1961, the ship was placed in reserve, and in 1991 it was removed from the fleet list.