Something you must be careful about is mixing up time frames for planned weapons fits. They were constantly changing based on weapon availability, need, and what the ship could carry (space and weight wise). The "approved" fit at the end of 1942 was for 16 40MM. Chicago, San Francisco, Helena, Columbia, Montpelier, and a number of other cruisers updated to this standard. Others were fitted with fewer, due to availability (both for weapons and the ships). For example, Cleveland had 12; St Louis, New Orleans, and Minneapolis had 8, in addition to some residual 1.1's. Later in 1943, Indianapolis and Portland added a pair of twins, for a total of 20 (in common with the first few "square-bridge" Clevelands). Next, the number was upped to 24, a standard to which the Baltimore was firstcompleted. New Orleans and Minneapolis were given 6 quads, Portland, Louisville, and Chester had 4 quads and 4 twins. Eventually, the number was increased to 28 (26 on the New Orleans class), but not all of the ships received the refits before the war ended. The extended forecastle flagships (Chicago, Augusta, and Indianapolis - Houston was already lost) had more of a weight problem than their sisters. That is why Indy only had 24 after her last refit, using improved directors to upgrade her AA capability instead of increased weapons numbers. The "24" or "28" gun standard had not yet been set in early '43, so obviously, ships refitted in that time period didn't get that many at that point in the war. So that was no reflection on the material condition of the ship - just a reflection of the time.
|