The St. Louis subclass replaced the earlier ships' single 5-inch/25 guns with four twin 5-inch/38 dual-purpose mounts. That change improved both surface and anti-aircraft fire and represents the US Navy's increasingly balanced approach to cruiser armament. The ships entered service as war approached, with St. Louis completing her shakedown after fighting had begun in Europe. The subclass is therefore a useful bridge between the treaty cruiser designed in peacetime and the air-conscious fleet required for World War II.
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St. Louis shows the mature Brooklyn design
The St. Louis subclass entered service with twin 5-inch/38 guns as a more balanced development of the Brooklyn design.