The USS Belknap (CG-26) was the lead ship of her class of guided missile cruisers in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1964. Originally designated as DLG-26, a guided missile frigate, she was later reclassified as a cruiser (CG-26) in 1975. Constructed at Bath Iron Works in Maine, she was laid down on February 5, 1962, launched on July 20, 1963, and commissioned on November 7, 1964. The vessel measured approximately 567 feet in length, with a beam of around 55 feet, and was powered by a modern propulsion system suitable for her time, designed for extensive naval operations. Belknap’s service history includes significant participation in various operations and events. Notably, she served as the Sixth Fleet flagship and was extensively upgraded following her reconstruction at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1976 to 1980, where her hull was preserved, and her electronics and weapons systems were modernized, including testing the new Aegis combat system. Her notable operational achievements include firing on an enemy in Beirut during peacekeeping missions—marking her as one of the first U.S. ships to do so since Vietnam—and participating in a naval parade in Barcelona in 1986. A critical incident in her history was her collision with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy off Sicily on November 22, 1975. The collision caused severe damage, ignited a fire, and resulted in the deaths of seven sailors on Belknap and one on Kennedy. The ship’s aluminum superstructure was weakened by the heat, leading to its collapse. Rescuers, including nearby vessels like the destroyer Claude V. Ricketts and destroyer Bordelon, responded heroically amid exploding ammunition and intense flames, ultimately saving many lives and assisting in her salvage. The accident influenced U.S. Navy construction practices, prompting a shift back to all-steel superstructures. Belknap also played a role in high-profile diplomatic events, notably hosting President George H. W. Bush during the Malta Summit in 1989, which was dubbed the “Seasick Summit” due to stormy seas. She was decommissioned on February 15, 1995, and sunk as a target in 1998, ending her distinguished service as a symbol of Cold War naval power and technological advancement.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.