USS Long Beach: America’s First Nuclear-Powered Cruiser
It isnt an accident, however, but one of poor planning. Still another plan saw the recycling effort dragging on for 15 years and costing nearly $1.4 billion. Perhaps, the United States Navy and lawmakers should have seen this problem coming long ago. The USSLong Beachwas a nuclear powered guided missile cruiser and the first surface warfare ship with a nuclear powerplant. It is shown here in 1983. Image: NARA The USSEnterprisewasnt the first nuclear-powered warship built, nor was it the first to be retired....