Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:10:53-4:12:10

Best cruisers of the 1890s, 1930s, and 1950s

The cruiser choices include an unnamed Italian export class for the 1890s, the British Town class for the 1930s, and several disputed candidates for the 1950s.

Albany Class Guided Missile CruisersCruisersDes Moines Class Heavy CruisersItalian NavyShip DesignSverdlov Class CruisersTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)
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Question

Which navy had the best cruiser in the 1890s, 1930s, and 1950s?

Short answer

The panel chooses Italian export-influenced cruisers for the 1890s, the British Town class for the 1930s, and debates the US Des Moines or rebuilt Albany classes against the Soviet Sverdlovs for the 1950s.

Notes

For the 1930s, Clarke chooses the Town class partly from personal preference and partly because it fitted Royal Navy needs. The 1890s choice is an Italian cruiser class sold to Japan and other customers, although its name is not recalled. Des Moines is suggested for the 1950s, with its unusually large size acknowledged. Another panelist nominates Albany's missile rebuilds while admitting that this stretches the period. The Sverdlovs are another option, with unspecified limitations.