USS Little Rock (CL-92) facts for kids

USS Little Rock (CLG-4), off Naples, Italy, on 31 July 1967, while serving as flagship of the Sixth Fleet.
Quick facts for kids History
United States
Name	Little Rock
Namesake	City of Little Rock, Arkansas
Builder	Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia
Yard number	535
Laid down	6 March 1943
Launched	27 August 1944
Sponsored by	Mrs. Sam Wassell
Commissioned	17 June 1945
Decommissioned	24 June 1949
Refit	1957–1960
Recommissioned	3 June 1960
Decommissioned	22 November 1976
Reclassified	CLG-4, 23 May 1957 CG-4, 1 July 1975
Stricken	22 November 1976
Identification	Hull symbol:CL-92 Hull symbol:CLG-4 Hull symbol:CG-4 Code letters:NBVW Call sign:Body Guard
Motto	"Pride in Achievement"
Status	Museum Ship at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
Badge
General characteristics (as built)
Class and type	Cleveland-class Light cruiser
Displacement	11,744 long tons (11,932 t) (standard) 14,131 long tons (14,358 t) (max)
Length	610 ft 1 in (185.95 m) oa 608 ft (185 m)pp
Beam	66 ft 4 in (20.22 m)
Draft	25 ft 6 in (7.77 m) (mean) 25 ft (7.6 m) (max)
Installed power	4 × 634 psi Steam boilers 100,000 shp (75,000 kW)
Propulsion	4 × geared turbines 4 × screws
Speed	32.5 kn (37.4 mph; 60.2 km/h)
Range	11,000 nmi (20,000 km) @ 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Complement	1,255 officers and enlisted
Armament	4 × triple 6 in (152 mm)/47 caliber Mark 16 guns 6 × dual 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber 4 × quad 40 mm (1.6 in) Bofors 6 × dual 40 mm (1.6 in) Bofors 21 × single 20mm Oerlikon cannons
Armor	Belt: 3+1⁄2–5 in (89–127 mm) Deck: 2 in (51 mm) Barbettes: 6 in (150 mm) Turrets: 1+1⁄2–6 in (38–152 mm) Conning Tower: 2+1⁄4–5 in (57–127 mm)
Aircraft carried	4 × floatplanes
Aviation facilities	2 × stern catapults
General characteristics (1960 rebuild)
Class and type	Galveston-class guided missile cruiser
Complement	1,426 officers and enlisted
Armament	1 × triple 6 in (152 mm)/47 caliber Mark 16 guns 1 × dual 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber anti-aircraft guns in Mark 32 mount 1 × twin-rail Mark 7 Talos SAM launcher, 46 missiles

The USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4) is a famous ship from the United States Navy. It was originally a light cruiser and one of 27 ships built during or right after World War II. Later, it was changed into a guided missile cruiser. The Little Rock is special because it's the first U.S. Navy ship named after Little Rock, Arkansas.

It started service in 1945, but too late to fight in World War II. After the war, it was put into storage in 1949. In the late 1950s, the ship was rebuilt to carry Talos missiles. This meant some of its old guns were removed. It also became a flagship, which is a ship used by a commanding officer. The Little Rock was recommissioned in 1960 as CLG-4 (and later CG-4 in 1975). It served in the Mediterranean Sea, often as the main ship for the Sixth Fleet.

The ship stopped active service in 1976. Today, it is a museum ship in Buffalo, New York. It is the only surviving Cleveland-class cruiser left.

Building and Launching the Little Rock

The Little Rock was built by William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company in Philadelphia. Its construction began on March 6, 1943. The ship was launched on August 27, 1944, and officially joined the Navy on June 17, 1945.

Little Rocks Early Years (1945-1949)

After joining the Navy, the Little Rock sailed from Philadelphia in July 1945. It went to Cuba for training. Then, it traveled to South America, visiting countries like Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. In March 1946, it returned to Norfolk, Virginia.

Later in 1946, the Little Rock went on a long trip to Europe. It visited England, Gibraltar, Portugal, and several ports in the Mediterranean Sea, including Italy, Greece, and Malta.

An Accident at Sea

In November 1946, while on an exercise with the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63), an accident happened. A gun on the Little Rock misfired and hit the Missouri. This caused a fire and an unfortunate loss of life on the Missouri. The Little Rock then returned to New York in December 1946.

Keeping Peace in Europe

In 1947, the Little Rock returned to the Mediterranean. It worked with the Sixth Fleet to help keep peace during a time of political tension in Greece. It also helped bring stability to the region around Palestine. These actions were some of the first times the U.S. Navy showed support against communist forces in Europe during the early Cold War. The ship returned to the U.S. in March 1948.

The Little Rock continued training exercises and made more trips to the Mediterranean. In February 1949, it began preparations to be taken out of service. On June 24, 1949, it was officially decommissioned and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

Becoming a Guided Missile Cruiser (1957-1976)

In January 1957, the Little Rock began a major transformation. It was converted into a guided missile cruiser. Its name and number changed from CL-92 to CLG-4 in May 1957. The ship was redesigned to carry powerful missiles and serve as a flagship.

The rebuilt Little Rock was recommissioned on June 3, 1960. After sea trials and training in the Caribbean, it began its new role.

Serving as a Flagship

In February 1961, the Little Rock started its first European cruise as a guided missile cruiser. It became the flagship for Commander, Cruiser Division Four, in the Mediterranean. It often served as the flagship for the Sixth Fleet, which is a very important job. This meant it was the main command ship for many operations.

The ship went through upgrades in 1962, including new sonar and electronic equipment. It continued its deployments to the Mediterranean, visiting many countries and participating in naval exercises.

The Six-Day War and USS Liberty Incident (1967)

In 1967, the Little Rock was involved in important events during the Six-Day War between Arab nations and Israel. The ship was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean to be ready for any emergencies.

During this time, on June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was attacked in international waters. The Little Rock and other ships rushed to help. The Little Rock sent medical and damage control teams to assist the damaged Liberty and cared for some of the injured sailors in its own sick bay. This was a critical mission to help a fellow U.S. Navy ship in distress.

Continued Operations and Exercises

After these events, the Little Rock continued its busy schedule of port visits and naval exercises. It participated in many NATO exercises, working with ships from other countries like France, Britain, Italy, and Turkey. These exercises helped train the navies to work together in different types of warfare, like defending against air, submarine, and surface attacks.

The ship visited many interesting places, including Monaco, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace visited the ship. It also faced some protests during a visit to Istanbul, Turkey, showing the political tensions of the time.

Changes and Final Years (1970s)

In 1970, the Little Rock completed its long service as the Sixth Fleet flagship and returned to the U.S. for a major overhaul. During this time, its equipment was updated, including a new Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) System.

It continued training and deployments, including another trip to the Mediterranean in 1971. In 1972, it was called back to the U.S. early to take over duties from another ship that was sent to Vietnam. The Little Rock then became the flagship for the Second Fleet.

In 1973, the ship returned to the Mediterranean as the Sixth Fleet flagship. It was involved in special operations during the Yom Kippur War (also known as the Ramadan War) to help keep peace and assist U.S. citizens. It even became the first American ship to visit an Arab port after the war.

In 1975, the Little Rocks classification changed to CG-4. It was also the only U.S. ship present at the reopening of the Suez Canal after it had been cleared of mines. The ship continued its exercises and port visits until its final year of service.

Decommissioning and Awards

The Little Rock completed its last operations in the Mediterranean in 1976. It then sailed back to the United States. On November 22, 1976, the Little Rock was officially taken out of service.

The ship received several awards for its service, including:

• Navy "E" Ribbon
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

A Museum Ship Today (1979-Present)

After being decommissioned, the Little Rock was given to the Buffalo Naval and Servicemen's Park in Buffalo, New York. It was towed through the St. Lawrence Seaway and arrived in July 1977.

Today, the USS Little Rock is a museum ship at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its history. On December 16, 2017, a new U.S. Navy ship, USS Little Rock (LCS-9), was commissioned right next to the old Little Rock. This was a unique moment, as it was the first time a U.S. Navy ship was commissioned alongside its namesake.

Images for kids

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  Little Rock as light cruiser CL-92 at Valparaiso, 1946

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  Little Rock firing a RIM-8 Talos in 1961

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  Little Rock standing by the stricken USS Liberty (AGTR-5), June 1967

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  Little Rock in the Mediterranean Sea, 1974

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  Little Rock in the Suez Canal, 5 June 1975

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  Little Rock at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park, Buffalo, New York

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  Little Rock at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park, Buffalo, New York

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  RIM-8 Talos missile loading conveyor aboard the ship

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  RIM-8 Talos magazine racks in the ship

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  Little Rock alongside the littoral combat ship of the same name

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  Little Rock officer's barber shop, November 2021

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  Lower engine room Little Rock, November 2021

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  Photo of USS Little Rock CL-92 Cramp Shipbuilding Plaque.

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  Stern of the USS Little Rock CG-4 on 6 March 2023. 80 years earlier her keel was laid down in ceremony on Saturday 6 March 1943.