7. Des Moines-class Heavy Cruiser
With her revolutionary autoloading 8-inch guns, this American heavy cruiser class set new benchmarks in naval gunnery. These ships especially suited for shore bombardment and surface engagement roles since the automated system could sustain an unheard-of rate of fire. Serving well into the Cold War, their advanced fire control systems and strong construction made them very effective combat vessels. In the missile age, the Des Moines-class proved the ongoing worth of gun armaments.
