USS Chester and a design overtaken by changing doctrine

Chester began as CL-27 and became CA-27 through the same administrative reclassification as her sisters. The US Navy and government changed their plans while the class moved from order to construction and then commissioning, leaving the ships with roles that no longer matched their design. The episode raises a procurement problem that survived the treaty era: institutions can keep building a familiar design after its intended job has disappeared. Completed ships may still serve usefully, but continuing the class consumes money and yard capacity that could go to a better fit.