USS Long Beach (CGN-9)
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USS Long Beach on 9 May 1973
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Class overview | |
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Builders | Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts |
Preceded by | Providence-class cruiser |
Succeeded by | Albany-class cruiser |
Built | 1957–1961 |
In commission | 1961–1995 |
Completed | 1 |
Retired | 1 |
History | |
United States | |
Name | Long Beach |
Namesake | Long Beach |
Ordered | 15 October 1956 |
Laid down | 2 December 1957 |
Launched | 14 July 1959 |
Sponsored by | Mrs. Marian Swanson-Hosmer |
Acquired | 1 September 1961 |
Commissioned | 9 September 1961 |
Decommissioned |
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Reclassified | As CGN-9 1 July 1958 |
Stricken | 1 May 1995 |
Motto | Strike Hard, Strike Home |
Fate | A 423 foot section of the hull (propulsion block) remain at PSNS as of May 2018. |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Long Beach-class cruiser |
Displacement | 15,540 tons |
Length | 721 ft 3 in (219.84 m) |
Beam | 71 ft 6 in (21.79 m) |
Draft | 30 ft 7 in (9.32 m) |
Propulsion | 2 C1W nuclear reactors; 2 General Electric turbines; 80,000 shp (60 MW); 2 propellers |
Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h) |
Range | Unlimited (nuclear) |
Complement | 1,160 officers and men |
Sensors and processing systems |
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Electronic warfare & decoys | AN/SLQ-32
SRBOC |
Armament |
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Aviation facilities | landing pad available for one helicopter |
USS Long Beach (CLGN-160/CGN-160/CGN-9) was a
She was the sole member of the Long Beach-class, and the last cruiser built for the United States Navy to a cruiser design; all subsequent cruiser classes were built on scaled-up destroyer hulls (and originally classified as destroyer leaders) or, in the case of the Albany-class, converted from already existing cruisers.[citation needed]
Long Beach was laid down 2 December 1957, launched 14 July 1959 and commissioned 9 September 1961 under the command of then-Captain Eugene Parks Wilkinson, who previously served as the first commanding officer of the world's first nuclear-powered vessel, the submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571). She was deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War and served numerous times in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. But by the 1990s, nuclear power was deemed too expensive to use on surface ships smaller than an aircraft carrier in view of defense budget cutbacks after the end of the Cold War. Long Beach was decommissioned on 1 May 1995 instead of receiving her third nuclear refueling and proposed upgrade. After removal of the nuclear fuel, superstructure, and sections of the bow and stern, the hull segment containing the reactor and machinery spaces was moored at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and sold for scrap.
Configuration
Long Beach was originally intended to be a smaller frigate, but was then redesigned and expanded to a cruiser hull, allowing for an open space just aft of the bridge "box". This open space was first planned to accommodate the mounting of a
The high box-like superstructure contained the
In addition to steel, Long Beach was built with 450 tons of structural aluminum.
Weapons suite
The original weapons suite consisted of:[citation needed]
- One rear Mk-12 launcher for the Talos long range surface-to-air missiles (SAM) with a range in excess of 80 nmi (150 km).
- Two forward Mk-10 launchers for the Terrier medium range SAMs with a range in excess of 30 miles (48 km).
- RUR-5 ASROC anti-submarine system capable of delivering a torpedo or depth charge at a range of 10,000 yd (9.1 km).
- Two triple 12.75 inch torpedo launchers that could fire the Mark 46 torpedo.
- Two 5"/38 caliber gun, capable of surface and shore bombardment to a range of 18,000 yd (16 km).
The ship went through several modifications by the time she was decommissioned. The final weapons suite consisted of:[citation needed]
- Two Mk-10 launchers for the Standard extended range missiles. These replaced the Terrier missiles.
- The rear launcher for the Talos was removed and initially replaced with two quadruple mounts for the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
- Two Phalanx CIWS were added on the aft side of the aft mast.
- Two quadruple armored box launchers were added for the BGM-109 Tomahawkcruise missile. These were installed aft on the fantail, with the Harpoon launchers relocated to the aft mast.
The 5"/38 guns and the ASROC were retained, and several 12.7mm (50-cal) were installed as needed.[citation needed]
History
Long Beach was originally ordered as CLGN-160. She was reclassified CGN-160 in early 1957, but was again reclassified as CGN-9 on 1 July 1957. Her keel was laid down on 2 December 1957 by
During construction in January 1960, it was widely reported that Long Beach was sabotaged when anti-mine (degaussing) electrical cables were found to have been intentionally cut in three places.[11] It was the second of three incidents at Fore River Shipyard at that time.[12]
Long Beach was assigned to the
Returning to Norfolk, Virginia 7 February 1962, Long Beach, trained off the east coast and in the Caribbean. On 10 April, she joined Atlantic Fleet as flagship for Admiral Robert L. Dennison, Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, for exercises off the coasts of U.S. states North Carolina and Virginia. She was reviewed by President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson during this time.[8]
Long Beach served in the Atlantic Fleet from her commissioning in 1961 until completing her first
Operational history
1960s
After overhaul and installation of new equipment at the
Long Beach returned to Norfolk from this cruise 3 October 1964 to join in exercises off the east coast and in the Caribbean. On 4 June 1965 she sailed for the Global Strategy Conference at the Naval War College, Newport, where Vice Admiral Kleber S. Masterson, Commander Second Fleet broke his flag on the ship. Back in Norfolk 23 June 1965, Long Beach resumed training and upkeep prior to her transfer to the Pacific Fleet. She sailed 28 February 1966 for her new home port and namesake, Long Beach, California, and arrived 15 March 1966.[8]
The summer of 1966 was spent in training and orienting
1970s
Long Beach received a Combat Action Ribbon for action on 26 April 1972,[16] a few days after the Battle of Đồng Hới. After Vietnam, Long Beach performed routine duties in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, performing escort duties for USS Enterprise in 1975, and participated in multi-national naval exercises while deployed in 1976-77. Around this time, Long Beach was identified as being suitable for conversion to accommodate the newly developed Aegis combat system, as part of the plans for a force of nuclear-powered Aegis cruisers, but that plan was not implemented.[17] In 1975 the ship changed home ports to Naval Base San Diego, California.[18]
1980s
In 1980 the vessel rescued 114
1990s
Long Beach served as an escort for the
Decommissioning
There was originally a plan to fully upgrade Long Beach with an Aegis Combat System in the early 1990s, requiring that her superstructure be completely rebuilt. Due to cuts in the defense budget after the 1991 Gulf War, as well as the higher operating costs and number of crew required compared to conventionally powered ships, the decision was made to decommission all
A deactivation ceremony occurred on 2 July 1994 at Norfolk Naval Station, and the ship was then towed over to Newport News Shipbuilding where her entire superstructure was removed and her reactors were defueled. After this work was completed in the winter of 1995 the hull was towed through the Panama Canal to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Long Beach was stricken on 1 May 1995, more than 33 years after she had entered service. On 13 July 2012, Long Beach was sold at auction,[6] for recycling, as prescribed for nuclear-powered vessels by Code 350, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. As of May 2018, the inactivated ship's hull and reactor compartments largely remained in long-term storage there.[20]
A crew member aboard the USS Long Beach may have been exposed to abnormal levels of radiation in 1963,[21] and the ship was leaking radioactive coolant in 1991. At that time, four crew members alleged that the ship's reactor was unsafe and that crew working around it had been exposed to unsafe levels of radiation.[22]
Milestones
- 2 December 1957 – Keel laid in Bethlehem Steel Company's Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts.[8]
- 14 July 1959 – launching; Mrs. Craig Hosmer christened the ship as her sponsor.[8]
- 5 July 1961 – Long Beach underway for the first time using her own nuclear power.[18]
- 9 September 1961 – Long Beach is commissioned as the first nuclear-powered surface vessel at the Boston Naval Shipyard.[8]
- 2 October 1961 – Change of Home port to Norfolk, Virginia.
- 6 August 1963 – First deployment to the Mediterranean.[8]
- 28 April 1964 – Second deployment to the Mediterranean for "Nuclear Task Force One".[8]
- 15 March 1966 – Long Beach and City of Long Beach, California[8][18] unite for first time.
- 7 November 1966 – First West Pacific deployment.[8]
- 1 May 1967 – Deployed to Gulf of Tonkin.
- 9 December 1967 – Present at Long Beach to welcome RMS Queen Mary on her first call ever to her new home port.
- 15 April 1968 – Second West Pacific deployment.[8]
- 11 August 1969 – Third West Pacific deployment.
- March 1970 – Overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California.[18]
- 1 July 1970 – Long Beach begins refueling at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
- 28 March 1972 – Fourth West Pacific deployment.[18]
- 1 May 1973 – Fifth West Pacific deployment.
- 7 November 1974 – Sixth West Pacific deployment.
- 7 June 1975 – Change of homeport to San Diego, Ca.[18]
- 15 September 1976 – Seventh West Pacific deployment.
- 4 April 1978 – Eighth West Pacific deployment.
- 7 January 1980 – Ninth West Pacific deployment.[18]
- 6 October 1980 – Begins Comprehensive Overhaul, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.[18]
- 13 January 1984 – 10th West Pacific deployment.[18]
- 9 January 1985 – Selected Restricted Availability at Bremerton, Washington.[18]
- 13 May 1986 – 11th West Pacific deployment.
- 25 July 1987 – 12th West Pacific deployment.
- 19 October 1987 – Participated in Kuwaiti tanker reflagging and provided anti-aircraft cover during Operation Nimble Archer.
- 13 October 1988 – North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationShip Visit.
- 18 September 1989 – 13th West Pacific deployment/world cruise.
- 28 May 1991 – 14th West Pacific deployment in support of Operation Provide Comfort.
- 8 April 1992 – Comprehensive overhaul, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
- 12 May 1993 – Underway Counter Narcotics Patrol, Central America.
- 8 November 1993 – Underway Counter Narcotics Patrol, Caribbean.
- 6 May 1994 – Change of homeport to Norfolk, Virginia.
- 2 July 1994 – Deactivation ceremony, Norfolk Naval Station.
- Sept 2002 – Removal of superstructure, nuclear fuel removed. As of May 2018, a 423 foot section of the propulsion block remains at PSNS.
- Oct 2012 - Auctioned off and sold for scrapping [23]
Awards
Combat Action Ribbon | ||
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster |
Navy Unit Commendation | Meritorious Unit Commendation with 1 star |
Navy E Ribbon with wreathed Battle "E" Device |
National Defense Service Medal with 1 star |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 star |
Vietnam Service Medal with 6 stars |
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 star |
Humanitarian Service Medal |
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 8 stars |
Special Operations Service Ribbon | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
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See also
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
- ^ a b c d e f g Blackman, Raymond V. B. Jane's Fighting Ships (1970/71) p.425
- ^ a b Polmar, Norman "The U.S. Navy: Shipboard Radars" United States Naval Institute Proceedings December 1978 p.144
- ^ "USS Long Beach CGN-9". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ "Polaris will be carried on "A" ship". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. 1 August 1959. p. 10.
- ^ "Historic Navy Cruiser, USS Long Beach, To Be Auctioned As Scrap Metal By Government Liquidation Starting Tuesday, July 10". PR Newswire. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ a b Censer, Marjorie (18 September 2012). "Historic nuclear cruiser headed to scrap heap". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b USS Long Beach Association. "CGN-9 VITAL STATISTICS". USS Long Beach Association. 2003. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Long Beach III". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
- ^ "First Nuclear Cruiser Commissioned". The Tuscaloosa News. 10 September 1961. p. 36.
- ^ "First Nuclear Cruiser Schedule Lags". Sarasota Journal. UPI. 24 August 1960. p. 16.
- ^ "Sabotage Probed on Atom Ship". The Pittsburgh Press. UPI. p. 20.
- ^ "Sabotage Hinted on Third Ship". The Miami News. UPI. 11 January 1960.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 9781472814524.
- ^ a b c Horton, Bob (2 February 1970). "Missile Success Lauded". The Day. Associated Press.
- ^ .
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an "Navy Unit Award website". awards.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 14 October 2004. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^ "CGN 9 Long Beach – Program". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The Ship". USS Long Beach CGN-9 Wesetpac/Indian Ocean Cruise July 25th, 1987 to January 19th, 1988. 1988.
- ^ "Ships Participating in Desert Shield / Storm as of 24 April 1991". history.navy.mil. 24 April 1991. (Long Beach is not in the list and did not deploy during Desert Shield / Storm)
- ^ "USS Dallas completing 36-year-run in Bremerton".
- ^ "DOCKET NO. 07-15 372". VA.gov. VA. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
Naval Dosimetry Center reported that the average annualized occupational dose for individuals on this ship in 1963 was 2.04 roentgen equivalent units (rem)
- ^ "Documents Say Nuclear Ship Leaking Radioactive Coolant". AP. 27 November 1991. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ https://lbpost.com/staff-blog/deactivated-uss-long-beach-sold-for-scrap "Deactivated USS Long Beach Sold For Scrap: Buy Your Piece Of the End Of An Era"
External links
- "USS Long Beach Reunion Web Page". usslongbeach-assoc.org.
- "USS Long Beach". NavySite.de.
- "USS Long Beach". NavSource.org.