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Quiz about The Alaska Class Battlecruisers or Cruisers

The Alaska Class: Battlecruisers or Cruisers? Quiz

The Alaska class ships, built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, were larger than a heavy cruiser, yet smaller than a battleship. What do you know about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by Reamar42. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Reamar42

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
407,930

Updated
Jan 20 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
98

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What class of ship were the Alaskas considered to be by the U.S. Navy? Hint

Heavy cruisers

Large cruisers

Battleships

Battlecruisers

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the main reason for the design and construction of the Alaska class? Hint

To counter large German and Japanese ships

London Treaty restrictions

Congress would not approve new battleships

Need to use surplus 12-inch gun turrets

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Question 3 of 10

3. When and how many ships were authorized for the Alaska class? Hint

Two ships were authorized in May 1938

Three ships were authorized in August 1939

Four ships were authorized in June 1940

Six ships were authorized in September 1940

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the size and main armament of the Alaskas? Hint

Almost 40,000 tons with 16-inch guns

Around 25,000 tons with 14-inch guns

Approximately 30,000 tons with 12-inch guns

Approximately 35,000 tons with 14-inch guns

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many of the Alaskas were completed? Hint

None

Six ships

Four ships

Two ships

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Alaskas were originally designed to fight enemy surface vessels. Did any of the class ever engage an enemy surface combatant?

Yes

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Question 7 of 10

7. Overall, how long did the completed Alaska-class ships serve in the U.S. Navy? Hint

Over ten years

Five years

Almost twenty years

Less than three years

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was the main function of the Alaska class during World War II? Hint

Surface combat

Carrier escort duties

Anti-submarine warfare

Convoy escort

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Question 9 of 10

9. When were the Alaska-class ships recommissioned after 1947? Hint

September 1950

June 1982

August 1965

Never

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the ultimate fate of the Alaskas? Hint

Converted to aircraft carriers

Sunk as target ships

Sold to foreign navies

Scrapped

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What class of ship were the Alaskas considered to be by the U.S. Navy?

Answer: Large cruisers

The Alaskas were given the unique designation of CB-1 through CB-6. They were always referred to as "large cruisers" by the U.S. Navy.

2. What was the main reason for the design and construction of the Alaska class?

Answer: To counter large German and Japanese ships

The launch of the German Deutschland and Scharnhorst class ships, which could outrun U.S. battleships and outgun U.S. cruisers, and rumors of the planned large Japanese B-65 cruisers, inspired U.S. designers to create the Alaskas.

3. When and how many ships were authorized for the Alaska class?

Answer: Six ships were authorized in September 1940

A total of six ships (Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Samoa) were authorized in September 1940. The ships were named for U.S. territories, while U.S. cruisers were named for cities.

4. What was the size and main armament of the Alaskas?

Answer: Approximately 30,000 tons with 12-inch guns

The Alaskas were similar in size and armament to the first U.S. Dreadnought-type battleships from the early 1900s, weighing in at close to 30,000 tons and carrying nine 12-inch guns. Because of this, they have been considered as battlecruisers by many naval historians.

5. How many of the Alaskas were completed?

Answer: Two ships

Due to U.S. shipyards being almost fully occupied building Essex-class carriers, as well as destroyers and other convoy escort vessels, only two Alaskas were completed, the USS Alaska and USS Guam.

6. The Alaskas were originally designed to fight enemy surface vessels. Did any of the class ever engage an enemy surface combatant?

Answer: No

By the time that the two Alaska class ships were commissioned in 1944, the remnants of the German surface navy had been confined to port.

In the Pacific theater, the war at sea was carried out for the most part by planes launched from aircraft carriers, with battle fleets usually not even making contact with each other.

7. Overall, how long did the completed Alaska-class ships serve in the U.S. Navy?

Answer: Less than three years

Both Alaska and Guam were completed in 1944, and both ships were decommissioned in 1947. Alaska served for a total of 32 months, while Guam was in commission for 29 months.

8. What was the main function of the Alaska class during World War II?

Answer: Carrier escort duties

Since the German Deutschlands were out of action before the Alaskas were commissioned, and the Japanese B-65 cruisers were never built, the Alaskas served as fast carrier escorts and performed shore bombardment duties in the Pacific for their entire careers.

9. When were the Alaska-class ships recommissioned after 1947?

Answer: Never

The ships were never recommissioned for the Korean War. It was determined that the cost was prohibitive, and there were more capable ships available.

10. What was the ultimate fate of the Alaskas?

Answer: Scrapped

Plans to convert the ships to guided missile cruisers or command ships were deemed to be too expensive. Alaska was scrapped in 1960, and Guam in 1961.

Source: Author Reamar42

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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