The Alaska-class cruisers were a fascinating and unique chapter in the history of naval warfare. Conceived during a time of rapid technological and strategic changes, these ships were designed to fill ...

What You Need to Know: The Alaska-class battlecruisers were conceived by the U.S. Navy in the 1930s to counter Germany’s fast and powerful “pocket battleships” and Japan’s rumored “super cruisers.” ...

Summary and Key Points: Before Alaska became a state, the U.S. Navy named a new fleet of battlecruisers in its honor. The Alaska class included six planned ships, but only the USS Alaska and USS Guam ...