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Ship Photo of the Day

PhrogPhlyer said:
More on the first major role of aviation on a naval battle.

Naval Gazing Main/Aviation at Jutland

www.navalgazing.net www.navalgazing.net
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Great article, thank you. Interesting to speculate if the weather had permitted the zeppelins to launch early in time to scout for the High Seas Fleet.

The article also included the photo I was looking for:
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Amazing the amount of capital ships the European powers could construct and man back then.
 
From the Italian Navy, the cruiser Giuseppi Garibaldi. Built in 1936, it survived WW2, fighting first for the Axis, and then later the Allies.

After the war, it continued service, being rebuilt and recommissioned in 1961 as the flagship of the Italian Navy. It was the first guided missile cruiser in Europe carrying Terrier missiles in addition to 4 (2x2) 135mm cannons. It also carried launchers for 4 IRBM Polaris nuclear missiles- but the missiles were never supplied by the US.

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The last battleship to be commissioned (on 8 Jan 1949) was France’s Jean Bart. Interestingly, it fought and engaged USS Massachusetts while under construction during WW2.

After the war, it was finally finished to include firing shells during the Suez Crisis of 1956. An impressive design of nearly 50,000 tons with 8 15” cannons, heavy armor and 32 knot speed, it lasted until 1970 before being scrapped.

Of note, the AA armament consisted of 24 (12x2) 100 mm as well as 28 (14x2) Bofors 57mm - a clear indication of the obsolescence of 20mm Oerkilons and 40mm Bofors.

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Jean Bart in port during Operation Torch.

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USS Reno (CL-96) was 1 of the 4 Oakland class anti-aircraft light cruisers. A derivative of the Atlanta class, the Oakland class had the wing dual 5”/38’s removed to reduce topweight. Even with the reduction, the Reno could bring to bear 12 heavy AA guns on a broadside which was more than a battleship- although an insufficient number of fire directors hampered its effectiveness. Interestingly, the AA cruisers were the only US cruisers to carry torpedoes, in this case 2 quad mounts.

Reno herself was struck by 2 Long Lance torpedoes and nearly sunk with the saving grace that 1 of the torpedoes did not explode.

Length: 541 ft, Beam: 53 ft, Displacement: 8,340 tons

75,000 SHP through 2 screws gave 32.5 knots.

Armament: 12 (6x2) 5”/38’s, 16 (8x2) 40mm Bofors, multiple 20mm Oerkilons, 2 quad 21” torpedoes and multiple depth charges.

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USS Reno (CL 96) Underway, circa late 1943 or early 1944.

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USS Reno (CL 96) Outbound in the Golden Gate, while leaving San Francisco Bay, California, 25 January 1944. Photographed by Naval Air Station Moffett Field, Sunnyvale, California. Reno is painted in Camouflage Measure 33, Design 24d.

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USS Reno (CL 96) comes alongside the burning USS Princeton (CVL 23) to assist in fighting fires, 24 October 1944. Princeton had been hit by Japanese air attack earlier in the day.

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On the night of 3 November 1944, well off San Bernardino Strait, Reno was torpedoed in the port side by Japanese submarine I-41 This US Navy photo shows the results of that torpedo. The photo caption reads "Looking aft on starboard side showing main deck awash."

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USS Reno (CL 96) Under salvage after she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-41 on 3 November 1944, while operating off the Philippines. Photographed on 5 November, with USS Zuni (ATF 95) alongside.

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Reporting for duty after completion of repairs from being torpedoed, the Reno is shown leaving Charleston, South Carolina on October 8, 1945 for post repair trials. Torpedo tubes have been replaced by 40mm quadruple A.A. guns and she has had new electronics installed.
(That looks to be underneath the old Cooper River Bridge in Charleston)
 

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Eye-opening before and after photos of USS Mississippi BB-41 as the Navy realized the dangerous threat of airplanes and covered every open space on the decks with AA guns.

Looking at modern ships, they seem to be in the same early phase as in regards to drones.

Any thoughts on what gun / laser systems might be added? 30mm, 57mm, 76mm or another 5”/62?

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Randy Daytona said:
Any thoughts on what gun / laser systems might be added? 30mm, 57mm, 76mm or another 5”/62?
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Everything I know about lasers I learned from Star Trek and Star Wars, so I can’t offer much there. That said, I think something along the line of cannon based air defense chain guns with 76mm for longer ranges and 30mm for in close. Both have already been tested with early versions of self-guided smart ammunition equipped with proximity fuses and I imagine field-ready versions will be ready soon.
 
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