USS Long Beach (CGN-9)

For other ships of the same name, see USS Long Beach.
USS Long Beach
History
United States
Name: Long Beach
Namesake: Long Beach, California
Ordered: 15 October 1956
Builder: Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts
Laid down: 2 December 1957
Launched: 14 July 1959
Sponsored by: Mrs. Marian Swanson-Hosmer
Acquired: 1 September 1961
Commissioned: 9 September 1961
Decommissioned:
  • 1 May 1995
  • (deactivated on 2 July 1994)
In service: 0
Out of service: 1
Reclassified: As CGN-9 1 July 1958
Struck: 1 May 1995
Motto: "Strike Hard, Strike Home"
Fate:

Superstructure and nuclear reactor recycled at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard 25 September 2002.

Hull auctioned for scrap to Tacoma Metals on 12 July 2012 for around $900,000
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: Nuclear
Complement: 1160 officers and men
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
& decoys:

AN/SLQ-32

SRBOC
Armament:
  • Two twin Terrier guided-missile launchers (later replaced by Mk-10 launchers with Standard SM-1(ER)
  • 1 twin Talos missile launcher (later removed)
  • 1 8-cell ASROC launcher
  • 2 5 inch guns
  • 2 Mk-15 Vulcan-Phalanx 20mm CIWS
  • 2 triple 12.75 inch ASW torpedo tubes for Mk-44 or Mk-46 ASW torpedoes
  • Launchers for 8 Harpoon missiles added later
  • 2 Armored Box Launchers for a total of eight Tomahawk cruise missiles replaced the Talos launcher
Aviation facilities: landing pad available for one helicopter

USS Long Beach (CLGN-160/CGN-160/CGN-9) was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser in the United States Navy. She was the only ship of her class and the third Navy ship named after the city of Long Beach, California. She was the first nuclear‑power surface warship in history.

Long Beach was laid down 2 December 1957, launched 14 July 1959 and commissioned 9 September 1961. Long Beach deployed to Vietnam during the war and served numerous times in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. By the 1990s, nuclear power was deemed too expensive to use on surface ships smaller than an aircraft carrier, while there were 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. What remained of the hull, after the superstructure had been removed and the ship defueled, was sold for scrap in 2012 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Configuration

Artist's concept of nuclear powered cruiser design from 1956.

The ship was designed as an "all-missile" ship from the very beginning, but was fitted with two 5"/38 caliber gun mounts amidships on the orders of President Kennedy. Long Beach was also the last cruiser built with a World War II era cruiser hull style;[3][4] later new-build cruisers were actually converted frigates (DLG/CG USS Leahy (DLG-16), USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), USS Belknap (DLG-26), USS Truxtun (DLGN-35), and the California and Virginia classes) or uprated destroyers (the DDG/CG Ticonderoga class was built on a Spruance class destroyer hull).

Long Beach was first laid out to be a smaller frigate, but expanded to a cruiser hull due to the ship being slated for the Regulus nuclear cruise missile or, later, 4 launching tubes for the Polaris missile,[5] which would occupy the space taken up by the 5"/38 caliber gun mounts and the ASROC system. The open space just aft of the bridge "box" was to be the area for these.

In addition to steel, Long Beach was built with 450 tons of structural aluminum.[6] Because of this unusually high quantity of aluminum, she was assigned the voice radio call sign "Alcoa".[6]

The ship was propelled by two nuclear reactors, one for each propeller shaft, and was capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h). The high box-like superstructure contained the SCANFAR system, consisting of the AN/SPS-32 and AN/SPS-33 phased array radars. One of the reasons Long Beach was a one-ship class was because it was an experimental platform for these radars, which were precursors to the AN/SPY-1 phased array systems later installed on Aegis warships (Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers). At the time, Long Beach had the highest bridge of any ship smaller than an aircraft carrier.

Weapons suite

The original weapons suite consisted of:

The ship went through several modifications by the time she was decommissioned. The final weapons suite consisted of:

The 5"/38's and the ASROC were retained, and several 12.7mm (50-cal) were installed as 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 Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched 14 July 1959, sponsored by Mrs. Marian Swanson-Hosmer, the wife of Craig Hosmer, retired rear admiral and Congressman from California. She was commissioned on 9 September 1961, with Captain Eugene P. Wilkinson in command.[7] Wilkinson had also been the first to command the first nuclear submarine, Nautilus.[8] At commissioning, the ship was reported to have cost $320 million ($2.53 billion today),[9] which was over budget from earlier estimates of $250 million.[10]

RIM-8 Talos missile launcher on USS Long Beach, July 1961

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 served in the Atlantic Fleet from her commissioning in 1961 until completing her first refueling in early 1966, when the cruiser was transferred from the home port of Naval Station Norfolk to Naval Station Long Beach, California.

The first nuclear‑power surface warship in history, Long Beach was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and home ported at Norfolk. The guided‑missile cruiser conducted extensive shakedown testing of her complex weapons and propulsion systems from 2 October to 16 December 1961; her performance proved the nuclear cruiser a capable warship. Between 28 December and 6 January 1962 she conducted operational tests of her missiles off Puerto Rico, then sailed for Bremerhaven, Germany, arriving 15 January for courtesy calls in north European ports.[7]

Returning to Norfolk 7 February, Long Beach trained off the east coast and in the Caribbean, on 10 April joining in Atlantic Fleet exercises off North Carolina and Virginia as flagship for Adm. Robert H. Dennison, Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. She was reviewed by President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson during this time.[7]

Operational History

1960s

Operation "Sea Orbit" — USS Bainbridge, Long Beach, and Enterprise.

After overhaul and installation of new equipment at Philadelphia, Long Beach trained in the Caribbean and sailed 6 August 1963 to join the 6th Fleet in its Mediterranean peacekeeping operations. She returned to Norfolk 20 December for coastal and Caribbean operations through 28 April 1964 when she sailed for the Mediterranean to join aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) in the formation of the first all nuclear‑powered task group 13 May. The force operated in the Mediterranean testing its unique capabilities until 31 July when it sailed. under Rear Adm. Bernard M. Strean from Gibraltar on an around‑the‑world cruise. This operation, Sea Orbit, reminiscent of the cruise of the Great White Fleet in 1907‑09, demonstrated the strategic mobility of U.S. naval nuclear‑powered surface forces independent of normal fleet logistic support. During 58 steaming days Long Beach steamed over 30,000 miles at an average speed of 25 knots, without being refueled or resupplied. In the course of the voyage, numerous foreign dignitaries visited the ship during visits off both coasts of Africa and in‑port calls at Karachi, Pakistan; Melbourne, Australia; Wellington, New Zealand; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[7]

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 Adm. Kleber S. Masterson, Commander 2d Fleet broke his flag in 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.[7]

RIM-2 Terrier missile launch from USS Long Beach, October 1961

The summer of 1966 was spent in training and orienting midshipmen in the tactics and operations involved in the modern nuclear Navy. After a period of leave and upkeep in the fall, Long Beach sailed 7 November 1966 from Long Beach for the Far East.[7] During this initial cruise, the cruiser served primarily as the Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone (PIRAZ) unit in the northern Gulf of Tonkin. As such, her main responsibility was to "sanitize" returning US air strikes, ensuring that no enemy aircraft were attempting to evade identification by hiding amongst returning friendlies. Additionally, the ship provided support for an on-board Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter unit. During this tour, Long Beach was responsible for directing the downing of one Soviet-made An-2 'Colt' aircraft that was attempting to engage South Vietnamese naval units. The shoot-down was executed by an F-4 Phantom II fighter under the control of a Long Beach Air Intercept Controller (AIC). The cruiser returned to Long Beach, California, in July 1967. In 1968 the ship was redeployed to the Gulf of Tonkin, shooting down a MiG fighter plane with a RIM-8 Talos missile 23 May 1968,[13] at a range of 65 miles. In June of the same year, she downed another MIG,[13] this one at 61 miles. She also directed other MIG kills by American fighters. She was the first ship to down an aircraft using SAMs in the Vietnam war and the incidents were not immediately publicized because it was feared the use of SAMs would undermine the 1968 Paris Peace Accords. Long Beach received a Navy Unit Commendation for the actions.[13]

1970s

Long Beach received a Combat Action Ribbon for action on 26 April 1972,[14] a few days after the Battle of Đồng Hới. After Vietnam Long Beach performed routine duties in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, although in 1975 she served escort duties for an ad-hoc U.S. task force during the Mayagüez incident. 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.[15] In 1975 the ship changed home ports to San Diego, California.[16] When the Talos missile system was removed in 1978 two 4-cell Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers were installed aft.

1980s

In 1980 the vessel rescued 114 Vietnamese boat people off the coast of Vietnam.[16] 9 January 1980, Long Beach returned to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to undergo a mid-life conversion, during which time the SCANFAR system, consisting of the AN/SPS-32 and AN/SPS-33 radars, was removed from the forward superstructure and enhanced flagship facilities were installed, along with modern radars like the AN/SPS-48. The Standard SM-2ER missiles and the associated modern electronics replaced the obsolete Terrier system. In addition, two Phalanx CIWS close-in weapon systems were installed, and the Harpoon Surface-to-surface missile launchers were re-sited. Beginning 5 January 1985 the BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile system was installed, including two 4-cell armored box launchers.[16]

USS Long Beach c.1989.

Long Beach deployed throughout the 1980s, conducting Tomahawk cruise missile test launches, serving as an escort for the USS Missouri task force, and providing aircraft carrier escort support after the Gulf War of 1991. Long Beach deployed to the region beginning 28 May 1991 to support Operation Provide Comfort, which was after Operation Desert Storm was over and major hostilities had ended in late February 1991.[17]

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 high operating and manpower costs compared to conventionally powered ships, the decision was made to decommission all nuclear cruisers from the Navy as their reactor cores ran down. They would be replaced by the Ticonderoga and Arleigh Burke classes, designed from the ground up with Aegis. As Long Beach had been refueled during her 1970 refit, her third refueling was due in the early to mid-1990s. As a consequence, a decision was made to decommission her in 1994.

Artist's impression of Long Beach following conversion to Aegis cruiser.

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 and removed, along with any radioactive parts. 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, over 33 years after she had entered service.

On 13 July 2012, Long Beach was sold [4] for recycling as prescribed for nuclear-powered vessels by Code 350 of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash.

Hull of USS Long Beach CGN-9 sitting in PSNS yard awaiting recycling in March 2011. Picture taken from top of hill in Port Orchard looking north across the water to the shipyard.

Milestones

Commanders

Awards

Bronze star

Bronze star

Bronze star

Bronze star

Silver star
Bronze star

Bronze star

Combat Action Ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
with 1 star
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 Special Operations Service Ribbon Vietnam Campaign Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Humanitarian Service Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Battle Efficiency Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Blackman, Raymond V. B. Jane's Fighting Ships (1970/71) p.425
  2. 1 2 Polmar, Norman "The U.S. Navy: Shipboard Radars" United States Naval Institute Proceedings December 1978 p.144
  3. "Historic Navy Cruiser, USS Long Beach, To Be Auctioned As Scrap Metal By Government Liquidation Starting Tuesday, July 10". PR Newswire. June 12, 2012. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  4. 1 2 3 Censer, Marjorie (18 September 2012). "Historic nuclear cruiser headed to scrap heap". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  5. "Polaris will be carried on "A" ship". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. 1 August 1959. p. 10.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Long Beach III". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command.
  8. "Nautilus IV". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command.
  9. "First Nuclear Cruiser Commissioned". The Tuscaloosa News. 10 September 1961. p. 36.
  10. "First Nuclear Cruiser Schedule Lags". Sarasota Journal. UPI. 24 August 1960. p. 16.
  11. "Sabotage Probed on Atom Ship". The Pittsburgh Press. UPI. p. 20.
  12. "Sabotage Hinted on Third Ship". The Miami News. UPI. 11 January 1960.
  13. 1 2 3 Horton, Bob (2 February 1970). "Missile Success Lauded". The Day. Associated Press.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 "Navy Unit Award website". awards.navy.mil. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  15. "CGN 9 Long Beach – Program". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "The Ship". USS Long Beach CGN-9 Wesetpac/Indian Ocean Cruise July 25th, 1987 to January 19th, 1988. 1988. (subscription required (help)).
  17. "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)
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "USS Long Beach". NavySite.de. Retrieved 20 June 2015.

External links

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Coordinates: 47°33′32″N 122°37′51″W / 47.5588°N 122.6307°W / 47.5588; -122.6307

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