Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:19:28-1:19:47

Did Hawkins influence the Pensacola design?

The absence of Hawkins from the Pensacola design histories consulted casts doubt on a direct design rivalry.

Hawkins Class Heavy CruisersHeavy CruisersPensacola Class Heavy CruisersUS NavyWarship Design
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Question

Was the Pensacola class designed to beat the Hawkins class?

Short answer

Probably not. Hawkins does not appear in the Pensacola design histories recalled here, so a direct influence seems doubtful.

Notes

A direct design rivalry seems doubtful because Hawkins does not appear in the Pensacola design histories recalled here. This is a judgment based on the accounts consulted, rather than proof that no influence existed. Broad similarities between two classes do not establish that one was designed to defeat the other.