USS Little Rock (CL-92) facts for kids
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The USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4) was a type of warship called a light cruiser. It was one of 27 Cleveland-class cruisers built for the United States Navy. These ships were made during or right after World War II. Little Rock was special because it was one of only six Cleveland-class ships changed into a guided missile cruiser. It was also the first U.S. Navy ship named after the city of Little Rock, Arkansas.
The ship was first put into service in mid-1945. It was finished too late to fight in World War II. After the war, it was taken out of service in 1949 and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.
In the late 1950s, Little Rock was updated to become a Galveston-class guided-missile cruiser. This meant removing some of its large guns to make space for the Talos missile system. Like three other Cleveland-class ships, it was also changed to be a flagship. This involved removing more guns at the front to create a bigger command area. It was put back into service in 1960 as CLG-4 and later renamed CG-4 in 1975. In its new role, it served in the Mediterranean Sea. It often acted as the main ship for the Sixth Fleet.
Little Rock was taken out of service for the last time in 1976. Today, it is a museum ship that you can visit in Buffalo, New York.
Contents
| 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 |
|
| Stricken | 22 November 1976 |
| Identification |
|
| Motto | "Pride in Achievement" |
| Status | Museum Ship at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park |
| Badge | _insignia,_circa_in_1972_(NH_78954-KN).png) |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class and type | Cleveland-class Light cruiser |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam | 66 ft 4 in (20.22 m) |
| Draft |
|
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| 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 |
|
| Armor |
|
| 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 |
|
Building and Starting Service
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. Mrs. Sam Wassell was its sponsor, which is like a godmother for a ship. It officially started service on June 17, 1945.
Ship's History
Early Years (1945-1949)
Little Rock left Philadelphia on July 13, 1945. It sailed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for training. After returning to Philadelphia for repairs, it began training future crew members for another ship.
In October 1945, Little Rock went on a long trip to South America. It visited many ports in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. It then sailed through the Panama Canal. The ship returned to Norfolk, Virginia, in March 1946.
In June 1946, Little Rock began a trip to Europe. It visited ports in England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It then sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. Here, it visited cities like Naples, Italy, and Athens, Greece.
Incident with USS Missouri
In November 1946, Little Rock was doing cold-weather training with the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63). During a drill, a gun on Little Rock misfired. A shell hit Missouri, causing a fire and sadly, one sailor lost his life.
Little Rock continued its duties, including training naval reservists. It also underwent repairs in New York. In November 1947, it returned to the Mediterranean. It joined the Sixth Fleet and visited many ports. During this time, it helped support stability in Greece and Palestine. These actions were some of the first U.S. Navy moves during the early Cold War.
The ship returned to Newport, Rhode Island, in March 1948. It conducted training cruises to places like Haiti and Canada. In September 1948, it went back to the Mediterranean for more training. Little Rock was taken out of service on June 24, 1949. It then became part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.
Becoming a Guided Missile Cruiser
In January 1957, Little Rock began a major change. It was being converted into a guided missile cruiser. Its name changed from CL-92 to CLG-4 in May 1957. The ship was designed to be a fleet flagship, meaning it would be the main ship for a fleet commander.
Its old gun systems were kept, but many new radars and weapon controls were added for its missiles. Little Rock was put back into service on June 3, 1960. Senator J. William Fulbright gave a speech at the ceremony.
After its refit, Little Rock tested its new systems. It fired six Talos missiles to see how the ship would handle the blast. In October, it fired eight more missiles. Little Rock became the first missile ship to hit a drone directly with a Talos missile.
In January 1961, Little Rock became the flagship for Cruiser Division Four. It then sailed for its first European trip in its new role. It earned awards for its excellent performance. Later, it became the flagship for the Second Fleet.
In March 1962, Little Rock entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for more upgrades. It received new sonar and electronic detection equipment. After these changes, it returned to the Caribbean for training.
In May 1963, the cruiser went back to the Mediterranean. It served as the flagship for the Sixth Fleet. During this eight-month trip, it visited 17 ports in eight countries. It returned home in December, just in time for Christmas.
Little Rock continued its duties, including training midshipmen. In December 1964, it rejoined the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. It took part in exercises with the French Navy. In June 1965, it became the flagship for the Second Fleet and NATO Striking Force. It visited ports in England, Sweden, and the Netherlands. In November 1965, it was sent to the Dominican Republic to help keep peace during a time of unrest.
Overhaul and Mediterranean Service (1966-1976)
In January 1966, Little Rock began a big overhaul. This involved major repairs and upgrades. In January 1967, it became the Sixth Fleet flagship again. Its new home port was Gaeta, Italy.
The ship took part in many exercises, including NATO operations. It also responded to international events. This included the Greek coup and the June 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
USS Liberty Incident
In June 1967, during the Arab-Israeli War, the U.S. Navy ship USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was attacked. Little Rock was part of the fleet that responded. Little Rock sent its damage control expert and medical staff to help the damaged Liberty. It also took on some of the injured sailors. Other ships, like the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66), also provided aid. The Liberty was badly damaged, but its crew kept it afloat.
After this event, Little Rock increased its visits to friendly ports. It visited places like Monaco, Istanbul, and Athens. It hosted important guests, including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. It also hosted King Constantine of Greece.
Little Rock continued to participate in many NATO exercises. These drills involved ships from Britain, Italy, and Turkey. The ship practiced defending against air, submarine, and surface attacks. It also supported amphibious landings, where troops land on a beach.
In 1969, Little Rock continued its busy schedule. It took part in exercises with the French military. It also visited many cities, including Toulon, France, and Trieste, Italy. The ship helped with training exercises and inspections.
In May 1970, Little Rock participated in a NATO exercise called Dawn Patrol 70. During this exercise, it had a minor collision with a Greek destroyer. Both ships continued their missions. The ship also helped evacuate U.S. citizens from Porto Scudo, Sardinia.
In August 1970, Little Rock finished its time as the Sixth Fleet flagship. It sailed to its new home port in Newport, Rhode Island. It underwent a major overhaul in Boston, Massachusetts, until April 1971. New equipment, like the Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) System, was installed.
After its overhaul, Little Rock conducted training in the Caribbean. It visited places like Guantanamo Bay and Puerto Rico. In December 1971, it began another deployment with the Sixth Fleet.
In 1972, Little Rock continued its operations in the Mediterranean. It visited ports in Italy, Greece, and Sicily. It was then called back to the U.S. to replace another ship. It became the flagship for the Second Fleet.
Later in 1972, Little Rock deployed to European waters again. It visited England, France, and the Netherlands. It also participated in Exercise Strong Express. The ship returned to the U.S. in October.
In 1973, Little Rock received more upgrades. It then returned to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. It became the flagship again. When the Yom Kippur War broke out in October, Little Rock sailed in the eastern Mediterranean. It acted as a deterrent and helped with possible evacuations.
In 1974, Little Rock continued its role as flagship. It visited many ports and participated in exercises. It also responded to the Cyprus Crisis. This involved special operations in the eastern Mediterranean.
In July 1975, Little Rock's designation changed to CG-4. It was the only U.S. ship present at the re-opening of the Suez Canal. The canal had been cleared of mines by Sixth Fleet ships. The ship continued its training and port visits until 1976.
In June 1976, Little Rock helped evacuate U.S. and foreign citizens from Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War. In July, another ship, the USS Albany, took over as Sixth Fleet flagship.
Little Rock left the Mediterranean for the last time in September 1976. It sailed back to the United States. It off-loaded its ammunition in Yorktown, Virginia. It then went to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to prepare for decommissioning.
Final Years and Museum Ship
Little Rock was officially taken out of service on November 22, 1976. It was then given to the Buffalo Naval and Servicemen's Park in Buffalo, New York. It was towed through the Saint Lawrence Seaway to Buffalo. It arrived in July 1977 and became a museum ship.
On December 16, 2017, a new U.S. Navy ship, USS Little Rock (LCS-9), was put into service right next to the old Little Rock. This was the first time a U.S. Navy ship was commissioned alongside its namesake.
Commanding Officers
- Capt. William E. Miller (1945–1946)
- Capt. Henri H. Smith-Hutton (1946–1947)
- Capt. Francis J. Mee (1947–1948)
- Capt. William D. Wright (1948)
- Capt. Henry G. Moran (1948)
- Capt. Richard S. Craighill (1948–1949)
- Capt. Jewett O. Phillips, Jr. (1960–1961)
- Capt. Frederick A. Chenault (1961–1962)
- Capt. James R. Payne (1962–1963)
- Capt. C. Edwin Bell, Jr. (1963–1964)
- Capt. Roderick O. Middleton (1964–1965)
- Capt. Oscar F. Dreyer (1965–1967)
- Capt. John J. Mitchell (1967–1968)
- Capt. W. F.V. Bennet (1968–1969)
- Capt. Charles E. Little (1969–1971)
- Capt. Gordon P. Nagler (1971–1972)
- Capt. Robert E. Morris (1972–1973)
- Capt. Peter K. Cullins (1973–1975)
- Capt. William R. Martin (1975–1976)
- Cdr. Kent R. Siegel (1976)
Images for kids
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Little Rock as a light cruiser (CL-92) in Valparaiso, Chile, in 1946.
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Little Rock firing a RIM-8 Talos missile in 1961.
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Little Rock next to the damaged USS Liberty (AGTR-5) in June 1967.
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Little Rock sailing in the Mediterranean Sea in 1974.
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Little Rock in the Suez Canal on June 5, 1975.
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Little Rock at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York.
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Another view of Little Rock at the Buffalo Naval & Military Park.
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The conveyor system used to load RIM-8 Talos missiles on board the ship.
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Racks where RIM-8 Talos missiles were stored inside the ship.
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Little Rock alongside the littoral combat ship of the same name.
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Little Rock's officer's barber shop in November 2021.
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The lower engine room of Little Rock in November 2021.
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A photo of the USS Little Rock CL-92 Cramp Shipbuilding Plaque.
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The stern of the USS Little Rock CG-4 on March 6, 2023, 80 years after its keel was laid.
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See also
In Spanish: USS Little Rock (CL-92) para niños
