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The Alaska class battlecruisers possessed greater firepower than a heavy cruiser while having comparable crew complement and horsepower output (and thus likely fuel consumption). They were also completed before the Des Moines class heavy cruisers, with two of the ships seeing combat service during World War II and one being launched shortly after its conclusion. Why did the United States decide to put the combat proven but otherwise new Alaska class battlecruisers in reserve while going on to complete three Des Moines class cruisers with complicated (but we now know successful) autoloading turrets several years after the War? Were the ships a victim of their unusual caliber main armament, or was it something else?

Iowa class battleship
-- Complement: 2,700
-- Horsepower: 212,000

Alaska class battlecruiser
-- Complement: 1,517 or 1,799 or 2,251 (middle value same as the Des Moines)
-- Horsepower: 150,000

Des Moines class heavy cruiser
-- Complement: 1,799
-- Horsepower: 120,000

Baltimore class heavy cruiser
-- Complement: 1,146
-- Horsepower: 120,000

Worchester class light cruiser
-- Complement: 1,560
-- Horsepower: 125,000

Cleveland class light cruiser
-- Complement: 1,255
-- Horsepower: 100,000
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