Worcester
Revision as of 15:59, 25 June 2018 Added Performance, Pros, Cons, Research, and Camouflage sections. | Revision as of 23:11, 26 March 2020 references to Wikipedia for ship and class | |||
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{{WoWs_Ship | {{WoWs_Ship | |||
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|Anno=<!-- you can write below short description for the ship. it will replace default once. --> | |Anno=<!-- you can write below short description for the ship. it will replace default once. --> | |||
? | + | The world's largest light cruiser. She carried 152 mm dual-purpose artillery as her main battery, supplemented by a great number of automatic 76 mm guns. She had the most powerful AA defense among ships of her type.<br><br>{{Model3DViewer|471322fafe854fcbb30290cb3eaa4a18}} | ||
|Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |||
? | + | ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is a versatile warship. Having access to several consumable choices, rapid fire guns, and a nigh unmatched AA suite, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can do most tasks a team or captain needs her to do. | ||
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? | ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is a versatile | + | ||
? | At her core, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is a utility | + | At her core, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is a utility ship, for starters, having access to not only {{Surveillance Radar}} and {{Defensive AA Fire}} together, but also {{Hydroacoustic Search}} without removing another consumable. This, coupled with her traits, makes her a dangerous foe in the right hands. | |
? | For starters her guns | + | For starters, her guns: she has twelve 152mm guns in six dual turrets that can fire every 4.6 seconds to 16.7 km. These guns have a high arc to their shells, so aiming at long range can be a challenge. However, the arc allows the ship to get close to islands and lob shells over at unsuspecting targets with impunity. The real kicker is a 13 rounds per minute rate-of-fire. She can put down a withering barrage of shells similar to ''[[Minotaur]]'' but her access to HE shells with a 12% fire chance provides her with extremely good fire starting abilities. Destroyers beware, these guns will give anyone a run for their money if she sneaks up on them. | |
+ | Her next major trait is her control of vision. ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can get down to a 9.74 km detectability range enabling her to sneak up on most any cruiser but does not have the capacity to use her radar from stealth without being detected. Hydro is another aspect of her vision control toolkit, allowing her to detect torpedoes while pushing caps with her radar, and spotting destroyers moseying a little too close to the edge of their smokescreens. | |||
? | + | Last but not least is her AA firepower. ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' has the potential to have the highest AA DPS of any ship in the game if specced properly. Her main rifles are dual purpose and have a stock 6km reach, with a max 8.6 km reach and a max dps of 400 alone. That's not even counting her meatier 76mm AA guns with a monstrous 346 dps base at 5km, with a max of 571 dps at 7.2 km range. Plus she has a short range aura of 20mm guns pumping out 73 dps at 2km base, and 120 dps at 2.9km range. Now all of that is powerful, and makes any carrier player blanch at strike attempts, but that is ''without'' DFAA on. With DFAA on, multiplying the 76mm and 152mm guns by threefold, a staggering 1,200 for the 152s with the Manual Fire Control for AA Commander skill, and 2,227 for the 76mm guns can be achieved, when targeting enemy squadrons, in addition to the strike panic. ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is one serious plane killer. | ||
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Now, all this is well and good, but she is fragile, ''really'' fragile. Being a light cruiser, she is overmatched by all battleship caliber shells she shall see in her matchmaking spread, and all heavy cruiser HE will pen her hull (sans belt armor) and light cruisers with IFHE will pen her as well. Thus while she is strong, she is weak as well, necessitating teamwork, and good positioning. | Now, all this is well and good, but she is fragile, ''really'' fragile. Being a light cruiser, she is overmatched by all battleship caliber shells she shall see in her matchmaking spread, and all heavy cruiser HE will pen her hull (sans belt armor) and light cruisers with IFHE will pen her as well. Thus while she is strong, she is weak as well, necessitating teamwork, and good positioning. | |||
? | In | + | In summary: ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is a cruiser that rewards tactical play with rapid fire meltdowns of destroyers, shells raining down on battleships, cruisers having to deal with streams of fire, carriers losing strike aircraft rapidly, and caps being lit up by a ship capable of destroying most anything that tries to cap. Playing her to her strengths while keeping mind of her weaknesses will reward players with a fun experience, as well as being a valuable addition to any team. | |
|Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
? | * | + | * Twelve rapid fire 152mm guns with a fast traverse rate. | |
? | * | + | * Strongest anti-air capabilities of any cruiser in the game, and perhaps of any ''ship'' in the game. | |
? | * A versatile toolkit of Radar, | + | * A versatile toolkit of {{Surveillance Radar}}, {{Hydroacoustic Search}}, and {{Defensive AA Fire}} all on the same platform with no takeaways. | |
? | * Great | + | * Great concealment rating with a 9.74 km max detection range. | |
? | * Long lasting US radar that can be upgraded with the special {{Surveillance Radar Modification 1}} | + | * Long lasting US radar that can be upgraded with the special {{Surveillance Radar Modification 1}} and {{Enhanced Countermeasures}}. | |
|Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
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* 25mm plating on her hull makes her vulnerable to all battleship shells, and HE fire from cruisers. | * 25mm plating on her hull makes her vulnerable to all battleship shells, and HE fire from cruisers. | |||
* Slower than some cruisers at only 33 knots. | * Slower than some cruisers at only 33 knots. | |||
? | * | + | * Play style is tough to master and can discourage players from playing her. | |
+ | * Lowest base fire chance of all Tier X cruisers at 12%, though this is offset by her rate of fire. | |||
+ | * If an AP bomber squadron does break through her anti-aircraft defenses, her citadel is vulnerable. | |||
|Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |||
? | + | As a Tier X ship, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' doesn't have any upgrades to research. | ||
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|OptimalConfiguration=<!-- write some general text about selection of optimal configuration below (optional)--> | |OptimalConfiguration=<!-- write some general text about selection of optimal configuration below (optional)--> | |||
|Upgrades=<!-- write text about best upgrades below, add * after upgrade link to designate that another upgrade may be viable --> | |Upgrades=<!-- write text about best upgrades below, add * after upgrade link to designate that another upgrade may be viable --> | |||
+ | ''Worcester'' is a very versatile ship, and can be configured numerous ways, as an AA ship, a main battery machine, or a utility ship. The upgrades will be listed with their respective builds in mind below (AA, Main Battery, Utility), of course, user preference takes priority, and players can mix and match how they see fit. | |||
? | + | * '''Slot 1''': {{Main Armaments Modification 1}} (Main Battery/Utility) '''Or''' {{Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1}} (AA). | ||
? | * '''Slot | + | * '''Slot 2''': {{Damage Control System Modification 1}} (Main Battery/AA) '''Or''' {{Defensive AA Fire Modification 1}}/{{Hydroacoustic Search Modification 1}}/{{Surveillance Radar Modification 1}} (Utility) whichever the player feels best suites their playstyle, though the Radar mod will likely be picked the most. | |
? | + | * '''Slot 3''': {{Aiming Systems Modification 1}} (Main Battery/Utility) '''Or''' {{AA Guns Modification 1}} (AA/Utility). | ||
? | * '''Slot 3''': | + | * '''Slot 4''': {{Propulsion Modification 2}} (All). | |
? | * '''Slot 4''': | + | * '''Slot 5''': {{Concealment System Modification 1}} (All) '''Or''' {{Enhanced Countermeasures}} (Utility) If the player has access to ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' 's [[Ship:Upgrades#Legendary_Upgrades|Legendary Upgrade]], then players can opt to lose some concealment in exchange for increasing the active time of their Radar (10%), Hydro (20%), and DFAA (20%). | |
? | * '''Slot 5''': | + | * '''Slot 6''': {{Main Battery Modification 3}} (Main Battery/Utility) '''Or''' {{Auxiliary Armaments Modification 2}} (AA/Utility). | |
? | * '''Slot 6''': | + | ||
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|CommanderSkills=<!-- write text about best set of Commander Skills below --> | |CommanderSkills=<!-- write text about best set of Commander Skills below --> | |||
? | + | Key skills for ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' commanders include a standard light cruiser toolkit of Priority Target, Adrenaline Rush, Superintendent, and Concealment Expert, with a second tier 4 skill of IFHE. However, players wishing to make ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' into a AA boat would be wise to grab Basic Firing Training, and perhaps Advanced Firing Training. For utility, Jack of All Trades and Superintendent are recommended. | ||
? | {{Commander Skills | + | {{Commander Skills 2 | |
? | | Priority Target | + | <!-- This version enables a '0' rating. Use it for skills that have no effect (e.g. Improved Engines on a non-CV) or are detrimental to the ship. They should mirror what appears in the game client. --> | |
? | | | + | | rating11 = 3 <!-- Priority Target --> | |
? | | Expert Loader | + | | rating12 = 2 <!-- Preventive Maint --> | |
? | | | + | | rating13 = <!-- Expert Loader --> | |
? | | Direction Center for | + | | rating14 = 0 <!-- Air Supremacy --> | |
? | | | + | | rating15 = <!-- Direction Center for Fighters --> | |
? | | Incoming Fire Alert | + | | rating16 = 0 <!-- Improved Engine Boost --> | |
? | | | + | | rating17 = 2 <!-- Incoming Fire Alert --> | |
+ | | rating18 = 0 <!-- Last Gasp --> | |||
? | | High Alert | + | | rating21 = 1 <!-- High Alert --> | |
? | | Jack of All Trades | + | | rating22 = 3 <!-- Jack of All Trades --> | |
? | | Expert Marksman | + | | rating23 = 1 <!-- Expert Marksman --> | |
? | | Torpedo Acceleration | + | | rating24 = 0 <!-- Torpedo Acceleration --> | |
? | | Smoke Screen Expert | + | | rating25 = 0 <!-- Smoke Screen Expert --> | |
? | | | + | | rating26 = 0 <!-- Improved Engines --> | |
? | | Adrenaline Rush | + | | rating27 = 3 <!-- Adrenaline Rush --> | |
? | | Last Stand | + | | rating28 = <!-- Last Stand --> | |
? | | Basics of Survivability | + | | rating31 = 1 <!-- Basics of Survivability --> | |
? | | Survivability Expert | + | | rating32 = 1 <!-- Survivability Expert--> | |
? | | Torpedo Armament Expertise | + | | rating33 = 0 <!-- Torpedo Armament Expertise--> | |
? | | | + | | rating34 = 0 <!-- Aircraft Armor --> | |
? | | Basic Firing Training | + | | rating35 = 2 <!-- Basic Firing Training --> | |
? | | | + | | rating36 = 3 <!-- Superintendent --> | |
? | | Demolition Expert | + | | rating37 = 2 <!-- Demolition Expert --> | |
? | | | + | | rating38 = <!-- Vigilance --> | |
? | | Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament | + | | rating41 = <!-- Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament --> | |
? | | Fire Prevention | + | | rating42 = <!-- Fire Prevention --> | |
? | | Inertia Fuse for HE Shells | + | | rating43 = 3 <!-- Inertia Fuse for HE Shells --> | |
? | | | + | | rating44 = 0 <!-- Sight Stabilization --> | |
? | | Advanced Firing Training | + | | rating45 = 2 <!-- Advanced Firing Training --> | |
? | | | + | | rating46 = <!-- Massive AA Fire --> | |
? | | Radio Position Finding | + | | rating47 = <!-- Radio Position Finding --> | |
? | | Concealment Expert | + | | rating48 = 3 <!-- Concealment Expert --> | |
? | + | }} | ||
|Consumables=<!-- write text about selection of Consumables below --> | |Consumables=<!-- write text about selection of Consumables below --> | |||
? | + | ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can equip the following consumables: | ||
* '''Slot 1:''' {{Damage Control Party}} | * '''Slot 1:''' {{Damage Control Party}} | |||
? | * | + | * '''Slot 2:''' {{Defensive AA Fire}} | |
? | + | * '''Slot 3:''' {{Surveillance Radar}} | ||
? | + | * '''Slot 4:''' {{Repair Party}} | ||
? | + | * '''Slot 5:''' {{Hydroacoustic Search}} | ||
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|Camouflage=<!-- write text about useful camouflage below --> | |Camouflage=<!-- write text about useful camouflage below --> | |||
? | + | [[Ship:Camouflage#Standard Camouflage|Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage]] can be equipped for credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce detectability range. | ||
? | [[Ship:Camouflage#Standard Camouflage|Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage]] can be equipped for credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce | + | ||
Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' with [[Ship:Camouflage#Permanent_Camouflage|Type 20 camouflage]] that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns. | Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' with [[Ship:Camouflage#Permanent_Camouflage|Type 20 camouflage]] that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns. | |||
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|Signals=<!-- write text about best set of signals below --> | |Signals=<!-- write text about best set of signals below --> | |||
+ | ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' has a wide variety of flags she can use, but signals such as November Echo Setteseven ({{November Echo Setteseven|Size=18px}}), India X-Ray ({{India X-Ray|Size=18px}}), and Victor Lima ({{Victor Lima|Size=18px}}) are good starting points, as well as November Foxtrot({{November Foxtrot|Size=18px}}) for her consumable loadout. | |||
? | + | {{Signal Flags | ||
? | | November Echo Setteseven = | + | | November Echo Setteseven = 2 | |
| Mike Yankee Soxisix = | | Mike Yankee Soxisix = | |||
? | | India X-Ray = | + | | India X-Ray = 3 | |
| Juliet Whiskey Unaone = | | Juliet Whiskey Unaone = | |||
? | | Victor Lima = | + | | Victor Lima = 3 | |
| Hotel Yankee = | | Hotel Yankee = | |||
? | | November Foxtrot = | + | | November Foxtrot = 2 | |
? | | Sierra Mike = | + | | Sierra Mike = 2 | |
? | | India Delta = | + | | India Delta = 3 | |
| Juliet Yankee Bissotwo = | | Juliet Yankee Bissotwo = | |||
| India Yankee = | | India Yankee = | |||
? | | Juliet Charlie = | + | | Juliet Charlie = 2 | |
? | | Zulu = | + | | Zulu = 2 | |
? | | India Bravo Terrathree = | + | | India Bravo Terrathree = 2 | |
? | | Equal Speed Charlie London = | + | | Equal Speed Charlie London = 2 | |
? | | Zulu Hotel = | + | | Zulu Hotel = 2 | |
? | | Papa Papa = | + | | Papa Papa = 2 | |
? | | Wyvern = | + | | Wyvern = 1 | |
? | | Red Dragon = | + | | Red Dragon = 1 | |
? | | Dragon Flag = | + | | Dragon Flag = 1 | |
? | | Ouroboros = | + | | Ouroboros = 1 | |
? | | Hydra = | + | | Hydra = 1 | |
? | }} | + | }} | |
|Gallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |Gallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |||
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<div class="thumb tright"> | <div class="thumb tright"> | |||
{{AnnoWiki|content= | {{AnnoWiki|content= | |||
? | <h2>''{{#var:ship_name}}'', 1948</h2> | + | <h2>USS ''{{#var:ship_name}}'', 1948</h2> | |
===Construction=== | ===Construction=== | |||
? | :Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corporation; Camden New Jersey, USA | + | :Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corporation;<br> Camden New Jersey, USA | |
:Laid down: 29 January 1945 | :Laid down: 29 January 1945 | |||
:Launched: 4 February 1947 | :Launched: 4 February 1947 | |||
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====Machinery==== | ====Machinery==== | |||
? | : | + | :4x Westinghouse 620psi boilers | |
+ | :4x General Electric geared steam turbines | |||
+ | :4x shafts | |||
---- | ---- | |||
====Performance==== | ====Performance==== | |||
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====Service==== | ====Service==== | |||
? | Worcester was assigned to Cruiser Division (CruDiv) 10, and for first year of her commissioned service fitting out and conducting shakedown training off the eastern seaboard. In the summer of 1949 she conducted her first large scale training exercise in Guantanamo Bay and visited Kingston, Jamaica. Later that summer she departed for the Mediterranean September | + | Worcester was assigned to Cruiser Division (CruDiv) 10, and for first year of her commissioned service fitting out and conducting shakedown training off the eastern seaboard. In the summer of 1949 she conducted her first large scale training exercise in Guantanamo Bay and visited Kingston, Jamaica. Later that summer, she departed for the Mediterranean on 6 September 1949 and arrived in Gibraltar 10 days later. During deployment with the 6th Fleet she engaged in exercises and maneuvers with fast carrier task forces, including the carrier USS ''Leyte'' (CV-32) and the heavy cruiser USS ''[[Des Moines]]'' (CA-134). She returned to Norfolk on 10 December. | |
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+ | During her drills and exercises in the Mediterranean, on 20 July 1950, she put into Phaleron Bay; however, she was only there a week before she received orders to sail to the Far East. She departed for Korea and transited the Suez Canal on 29 July. Reaching Colombo for fuel and supplies, she and her escorts sailed stayed there from 7-9 August before pushing on to the Malacca Strait. They then proceeded through the Bashi Channel towards Okinawa; while en route, the ships were diverted through the Bashi Channel to be available to counter any invasion attempt by the communist Chinese of Formosa. ''Worcester'' joined the Formosa Patrol and got underway on 27 August to add her powerful AA punch to the screen of Task Force 77, consisting of carriers USS ''Philippine Sea'' (CV-47) and USS ''Valley Forge'' (CV-45), operating in the Yellow Sea off the coast of Korea. | |||
? | + | On 4 September 1950, ''Worcester''’s radar picked up an unidentified contact at 13:31. The Combat Air Patrol (CAP) — F4U Corsairs off of ''Valley Forge'' — soon reported the stranger as a twin-engined bomber with a pointed nose, single tailfin, and high inverted gull wings; it also bore red star markings. At 13:45, the F4Us directed the bogey over USS ''[[Fletcher]]'' (DDE-445), which unceremoniously splashed the intruder 49 miles away. The next day ''Worcester'' went to general quarters at 11:08 and commenced maneuvering at 20 knots to avoid possible attack when her radar picked up an unidentified aircraft closing in on the formation. Three minutes later she fired three rounds of 6-inch shells at the bogey to deter the craft; fortunately, the craft was a British Short Sunderland flying boat on patrol. At 21:43 Worcester secured from general quarters and resumed cruising with TF 77. | ||
? | On September | + | ||
+ | Over the ensuing days Worcester patrolled off the coast with TG 95.2. She relieved USS ''Helena'' (CA-75) in her fire support duties at 06:00 on 24 September freeing the heavy cruiser to proceed to Sasebo, Japan. While her own helicopter was aloft providing an anti-sub screen, ''Worcester'' commenced firing at 08:05, shelling nine North Korean troop concentrations ashore. Directed by Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG) personnel ashore, ''Worcester'' delivered call-fire throughout the day with pinpoint accuracy at troop concentrations and command posts. She was relieved by USS ''Samuel N. Moore'' (DD-747) as fire support ship. ''Worcester'' returned the next day and continued firing on the already beaten and retreating North Korean forces. Throughout the 25th, using KMAG spotting, she delivered for the advancing UN forces breaking up troop concentrations with her precise 6-inch gun fire. As the ship's war diary at one point recorded: "Spotter reported troops dispersed. KMAG reported that all firing has been very effective and instrumental in enemy retreat." | |||
? | + | ''Worcester'' spent the night hours on the 25th and into the 26th patrolling eight-mile of a stretch of coast between Yonghae and Utchin. The rapid advance of the UN forces on the 26th obviated fire support from ''Worcester''; but the cruiser received word that USS ''Brush'' (DD-745) had hit a mine off Tanchon at 12:20. While ''Samuel N. Moore'' took over the on-call fire support duties in the vicinity, ''Worcester'' put on steam and went to ''Brush''’s aid at 27 knots. The cruisermen found ''Brush'' down by the bow with 3-degree list to port. There were five dead and 30 injured. At 01:01 on the 27th, ''Worcester'' commenced taking on board the more seriously wounded of the destroyer's company via highline transfer, eventually receiving 15 stretcher cases — all men suffering from burns — by 02:28. The cruiser then made for Japan and, later that day took on four more stretcher patients, six ambulatory patients, and one dead. Proceeding in company with ''Brush, Worcester'' headed for Sasebo and reached port late on the 29th. As she was being tied up at port in Sasebo, ''Worcester'' received a warm message from ''Brush''’s crew: "With us you are not only big league, but world champions. The kindness, consideration, and eagerness to help of Worcester's ship's company will never be forgotten by the ''Brush''." | ||
+ | The stay in Sasebo was short however, because she left port on the 30th to return to Korean waters to resume fire support duties. ''Worcester'' — having served as flagship for TG 95.2, Rear Admiral C. C. Hartman embarked — arrived back at Sasebo for replenishment on 8 October and refueled while the admiral disembarked. While still in port, ''Worcester'' became flagship again the next day when Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith, Commander, TF 95, came aboard with his staff and transferred his flag to the cruiser. At 12:48 on the 10th she got underway to return to the east coast of Korea-this time to screen mine-sweeping ops at the port of Wonsan and to support the 3rd Republic of Korea Army Division. | |||
+ | Early on the 11th, the op became truly an international one, when the British destroyer HMS ''Cockade'', the Australian destroyer HMAS ''Warramunga'', and the Canadian destroyer HMCS ''Athabaskan'' joined ''Worcester''’s group, which already included the British light cruiser HMS ''Ceylon'' and the heavy cruiser USS ''Helena'', besides the other US warships USS ''Rochester'' (CA-124), USS ''Harold J. Thomas'' (DDR-833), and USS ''Maddox'' (DD-731). On the 12th, USS ''[[Missouri]]'' (BB-63) joined, bringing her big guns to the fleet. | |||
? | + | While ''Missouri''’s helicopter searched the bombardment track for mines, the UN force formed up for battle. At 11:50, when a shell from an unobserved shore battery fell 5,000 yards short of the group, it apparently signaled the beginning. ''Worcester'' hoisted the blue and white UN flag to the foretruck and commenced firing at exactly noon on 12 October. For the next 90-odd minutes, ''Worcester''’s 6-inch guns hammered at iron works and railroad tunnels in the vicinity. The next day, she extended her target list to include railroad marshalling yards, tearing up sections of track and blasting rolling stock. Over the next few days, ''Worcester'' and the ships in company with her proceeded to rain destruction on targets of opportunity near Wonsan: targets ranging from railroad marshalling yards, to rolling stock and adjacent warehouse areas. Also, on 16 October, in an action reminiscent of the "Battle of the Pips" in World War II, ''Worcester, Helena'', and the accompanying destroyers fired at unidentified radar contacts: "blips" on the radar screens that approached from the north. The contacts were probably two flocks of geese. | ||
? | + | ''Worcester'' left the Far East on 27 October 1950, bound for Pearl Harbor. The day after she sailed, ''Worcester'' received a dispatch from Admiral C. Turner Joy, Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, which said: "Upon the ''Worcester''’s departure from the Far East, I wish to extend a hearty 'well done' to the entire ship's company. Your rapid deployment from the European station to the Far East, followed by your immediate and most effective participation in the Korean effort, clearly demonstrates that your status of war readiness was excellent." | ||
? | The | + | The rest of ''Worcester''’s life was far more relaxed than that frenzied summer of 1950. She was overhauled at the Boston Naval Shipyard from 1 December 1950 until 20 March 1951. She then conducted four more 6th Fleet "Med" deployments into the mid-1950s and twice visited northern European ports, during which she participated in fleet maneuvers and exercises and paid good-will calls on many ports-ranging from Bergen, Norway; to Copenhagen, Denmark; to Dublin, Ireland; and Portsmouth, England. She transferred from the Atlantic to the Pacific Fleet in January 1956, and made two more deployments with the 7th Fleet visiting ports such as Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan; Hong Kong; Manila; as well as the Japanese ports of Hakodate, Nagasaki, Shimoda, Yokohama, and Kobe. | |
? | + | On 2 September 1958, Worcester departed her home port of Long Beach for the last time and steamed to Mare Island to commence the inactivation process. She was decommissioned at Mare Island on 19 December, and simultaneously placed in reserve. She was first berthed at San Francisco and later, at Bremerton, Washington, before she was struck from the Navy list on 1 December 1970. She was sold for scrap on 5 July 1972. The revolutionary light cruiser, that never had a chance to prove herself in her designed role, was subsequently broken up for scrap. | ||
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|HistoricalGallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |HistoricalGallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |||
File:USS Worcester (CL-144) underway in November 1949.jpg|USS ''Worcester'' (CL-144) in November 1949 | File:USS Worcester (CL-144) underway in November 1949.jpg|USS ''Worcester'' (CL-144) in November 1949 | |||
? | File:USS Worcester (CL-144) underway in 1953.jpg| | + | File:USS Worcester (CL-144) underway in 1953.jpg|''Worcester'' underway in the Mediterranean Sea, 1953. | |
? | File:Worcestersternbalti.jpg|The stern section of | + | File:Worcestersternbalti.jpg|The stern section of ''Worcester'' as seen from USS ''[[Baltimore]]'' (CA-68). | |
? | File:Worcestersuperbalti.jpg|Superstructure of | + | File:Worcestersuperbalti.jpg|Superstructure of ''Worcester'' as seen from ''Baltimore''. | |
? | File:The bow of the USS Worcester (CL 144) as seen from the USS Baltimore (CA 68) while in the Med during 1952.jpg|The bow of | + | File:The bow of the USS Worcester (CL 144) as seen from the USS Baltimore (CA 68) while in the Med during 1952.jpg|The bow of ''Worcester'' as seen from ''Baltimore'' while in the Mediterranean during 1952. | |
? | File:Worcestercrewmemorialday.jpg| | + | File:Worcestercrewmemorialday.jpg|''Worcester'' with her crew at quarters during a Memorial Day service, May 1952. | |
? | File:Worcestericy.jpg| | + | File:Worcestericy.jpg|''Worcester'' in icy seas during North Atlantic Ops, 1949-1950. | |
? | File:Worcesterboston.jpg| | + | File:Worcesterboston.jpg|''Worcester'' moored in Boston, 1954. | |
? | File:Worcesteralbany.jpg| | + | File:Worcesteralbany.jpg|''Worcester'' moored alongside USS ''Albany'' (CA-123), and USS ''Northampton'' (CLC-1). | |
</gallery> | </gallery> | |||
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? | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Worcester_(CL-144) | + | # [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Worcester_(CL-144) USS ''Worcester'' (CL-144) - Wikipedia] | |
? | https://www.hazegray.org/danfs/cruisers/cl144.txt | + | # [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester-class_cruiser ''Worcester''-class cruiser - Wikipedia] | |
? | + | # https://www.hazegray.org/danfs/cruisers/cl144.txt | ||
+ | # [//www.ussworcester.com/History/History.html Ship's History - USS Worcester - CL-144 -- 1948 - 1958] | |||
+ | ||||
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Revision as of 23:11, 26 March 2020
152 mm/47 DP Mk.16 in a turret6 х 2 pcs. |
Rate of Fire13.04 shots/min. |
Reload Time4.6 sec. |
Rotation Speed25 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec. |
Firing Range16.71 km. |
Maximum Dispersion148 m. |
HE Shell152 mm HE Mk39 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,200 |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell12 % |
Initial HE Shell Velocity812 m./s. |
HE Shell Weight47.6 kg. |
AP Shell152 mm AP 130 lb Mk35 |
Maximum AP Shell Damage3,200 |
Initial AP Shell Velocity762 m./s. |
AP Shell Weight59 kg. |
152 mm/47 DP Mk.16 in a turret1 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second20.2 |
. . . Firing Range6 km. |
152 mm/47 DP Mk.16 in a turret4 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second80.8 |
. . . Firing Range6 km. |
IDS_PAGM219_6IN47_MK16_SECOND1 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second20.2 |
. . . Firing Range6 km. |
76.2 mm/50 Mk.22 on a Mk.34 mount2 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second39.4 |
. . . Firing Range3.99 km. |
20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.20 mount12 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second64.8 |
. . . Firing Range2.01 km. |
76.2 mm/50 Mk.22 on a Mk.33 mount11 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second228.8 |
. . . Firing Range3.99 km. |
Maximum Speed33 knot |
Turning Circle Radius740 m. |
Rudder Shift Time8.1 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range12.06 km. |
Air Detectability Range8.52 km. |
Worcester — American Tier X cruiser.
The world's largest light cruiser. She carried 152 mm dual-purpose artillery as her main battery, supplemented by a great number of automatic 76 mm guns. She had the most powerful AA defense among ships of her type.
Modules
Compatible Upgrades
Slot 1 |
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Slot 2 |
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Slot 3 |
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Slot 4 |
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Slot 5 |
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Slot 6 |
Player Opinion
Performance
Worcester is a versatile warship. Having access to several consumable choices, rapid fire guns, and a nigh unmatched AA suite, Worcester can do most tasks a team or captain needs her to do.
At her core, Worcester is a utility ship, for starters, having access to not only Surveillance Radar and Defensive AA Fire together, but also Hydroacoustic Search without removing another consumable. This, coupled with her traits, makes her a dangerous foe in the right hands.
For starters, her guns: she has twelve 152mm guns in six dual turrets that can fire every 4.6 seconds to 16.7 km. These guns have a high arc to their shells, so aiming at long range can be a challenge. However, the arc allows the ship to get close to islands and lob shells over at unsuspecting targets with impunity. The real kicker is a 13 rounds per minute rate-of-fire. She can put down a withering barrage of shells similar to Minotaur but her access to HE shells with a 12% fire chance provides her with extremely good fire starting abilities. Destroyers beware, these guns will give anyone a run for their money if she sneaks up on them.
Her next major trait is her control of vision. Worcester can get down to a 9.74 km detectability range enabling her to sneak up on most any cruiser but does not have the capacity to use her radar from stealth without being detected. Hydro is another aspect of her vision control toolkit, allowing her to detect torpedoes while pushing caps with her radar, and spotting destroyers moseying a little too close to the edge of their smokescreens.
Last but not least is her AA firepower. Worcester has the potential to have the highest AA DPS of any ship in the game if specced properly. Her main rifles are dual purpose and have a stock 6km reach, with a max 8.6 km reach and a max dps of 400 alone. That's not even counting her meatier 76mm AA guns with a monstrous 346 dps base at 5km, with a max of 571 dps at 7.2 km range. Plus she has a short range aura of 20mm guns pumping out 73 dps at 2km base, and 120 dps at 2.9km range. Now all of that is powerful, and makes any carrier player blanch at strike attempts, but that is without DFAA on. With DFAA on, multiplying the 76mm and 152mm guns by threefold, a staggering 1,200 for the 152s with the Manual Fire Control for AA Commander skill, and 2,227 for the 76mm guns can be achieved, when targeting enemy squadrons, in addition to the strike panic. Worcester is one serious plane killer.
Now, all this is well and good, but she is fragile, really fragile. Being a light cruiser, she is overmatched by all battleship caliber shells she shall see in her matchmaking spread, and all heavy cruiser HE will pen her hull (sans belt armor) and light cruisers with IFHE will pen her as well. Thus while she is strong, she is weak as well, necessitating teamwork, and good positioning.
In summary: Worcester is a cruiser that rewards tactical play with rapid fire meltdowns of destroyers, shells raining down on battleships, cruisers having to deal with streams of fire, carriers losing strike aircraft rapidly, and caps being lit up by a ship capable of destroying most anything that tries to cap. Playing her to her strengths while keeping mind of her weaknesses will reward players with a fun experience, as well as being a valuable addition to any team.Pros:
- Twelve rapid fire 152mm guns with a fast traverse rate.
- Strongest anti-air capabilities of any cruiser in the game, and perhaps of any ship in the game.
- A versatile toolkit of Surveillance Radar , Hydroacoustic Search , and Defensive AA Fire all on the same platform with no takeaways.
- Great concealment rating with a 9.74 km max detection range.
- Long lasting US radar that can be upgraded with the special Surveillance Radar Modification 1 and Enhanced Countermeasures ().
Cons:
- Main guns have a high firing arc, which makes aiming at range or at fast moving targets a hassle.
- Bulk of her AA firepower is in fragile open mounts that can be lost by HE fire.
- 25mm plating on her hull makes her vulnerable to all battleship shells, and HE fire from cruisers.
- Slower than some cruisers at only 33 knots.
- Play style is tough to master and can discourage players from playing her.
- Lowest base fire chance of all Tier X cruisers at 12%, though this is offset by her rate of fire.
- If an AP bomber squadron does break through her anti-aircraft defenses, her citadel is vulnerable.
Research
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
Worcester is a very versatile ship, and can be configured numerous ways, as an AA ship, a main battery machine, or a utility ship. The upgrades will be listed with their respective builds in mind below (AA, Main Battery, Utility), of course, user preference takes priority, and players can mix and match how they see fit.
- Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 (Main Battery/Utility) Or Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1 (AA).
- Slot 2: Damage Control System Modification 1 (Main Battery/AA) Or Defensive AA Fire Modification 1 /Hydroacoustic Search Modification 1 /Surveillance Radar Modification 1 (Utility) whichever the player feels best suites their playstyle, though the Radar mod will likely be picked the most.
- Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1 (Main Battery/Utility) Or AA Guns Modification 1 (AA/Utility).
- Slot 4: Propulsion Modification 1 () (All).
- Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 (All) Or Enhanced Countermeasures () (Utility) If the player has access to Worcester 's Legendary Upgrade, then players can opt to lose some concealment in exchange for increasing the active time of their Radar (10%), Hydro (20%), and DFAA (20%).
- Slot 6: Main Battery Modification 3 (Main Battery/Utility) Or Auxiliary Armaments Modification 2 (AA/Utility).
Commander Skills
Key skills for Worcester commanders include a standard light cruiser toolkit of Priority Target, Adrenaline Rush, Superintendent, and Concealment Expert, with a second tier 4 skill of IFHE. However, players wishing to make Worcester into a AA boat would be wise to grab Basic Firing Training, and perhaps Advanced Firing Training. For utility, Jack of All Trades and Superintendent are recommended.
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★★★ |
★★ |
|
Χ |
|
Χ |
★★ |
Χ |
2 |
★ |
★★★ |
★ |
Χ |
Χ |
Χ |
★★★ |
|
3 |
★ |
★ |
Χ |
Χ |
★★ |
★★★ |
★★ |
|
4 |
|
|
★★★ |
Χ |
★★ |
|
|
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
Worcester can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire
- Slot 3: Surveillance Radar
- Slot 4: Repair Party
- Slot 5: Hydroacoustic Search
Camouflage
Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce detectability range.
Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Worcester with Type 20 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns.
Signals
Worcester has a wide variety of flags she can use, but signals such as November Echo Setteseven (), India X-Ray (), and Victor Lima () are good starting points, as well as November Foxtrot() for her consumable loadout.
Recommended Signal Flags | |||||
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Combat | |||||
★★ |
|
|
|
★★★ |
★★★ |
|
|
★★ |
★★ |
★★ |
★★★ |
|
|
Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.
Gallery
Historical Info
Historical Gallery
References
- USS Worcester (CL-144) - Wikipedia
- Worcester-class cruiser - Wikipedia
- https://www.hazegray.org/danfs/cruisers/cl144.txt
- Ship's History - USS Worcester - CL-144 -- 1948 - 1958