About this Unit
USS Belknap (CG-26) was a guided missile cruiser and the lead ship of her class in the United States Navy, commissioned in 1964. Originally designated as a destroyer leader (DLG-26), she was later reclassified as a cruiser (CG-26) in 1975. Belknap is most notably remembered for the catastrophic collision with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in 1975, which resulted in a deadly fire and extensive damage. After an extensive rebuild, she returned to service, eventually serving as the flagship for the U.S. Sixth Fleet before being decommissioned in 1995.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Belknap (CG-26) was named after Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap, a distinguished 19th-century U.S. Navy officer who served in the Civil War and later as Commander of the Asiatic Squadron.
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First of Her Class: Launched in 1963 and commissioned in 1964, Belknap was the lead ship of her class of guided missile cruisers—originally designated as a guided missile frigate (DLG-26) before being redesignated CG-26 in 1975.
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Flagship Capabilities: Belknap was uniquely configured to serve as the flagship for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, equipped with command and control facilities to support the fleet admiral and staff in the Mediterranean.
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Collision with USS John F. Kennedy: On November 22, 1975, Belknap collided with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in the Ionian Sea, resulting in a massive fire that destroyed her superstructure and killed seven sailors.
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Aluminum Superstructure Issues: The 1975 fire exposed the vulnerability of aluminum superstructures to high heat, influencing future U.S. Navy ship design to favor steel for improved survivability.
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Rebuilt and Modernized: Despite severe damage, Belknap was rebuilt with an all-steel superstructure, and recommissioned in 1980, returning to active service with modernized systems.
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Summit at Sea: In December 1989, Belknap served as the floating command post for President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during the historic Malta Summit, helping to mark the end of the Cold War.
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Extensive Mediterranean Service: Throughout her career, Belknap was a prominent presence in the Mediterranean, supporting U.S. and NATO operations, and participating in numerous exercises and crises.
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Humanitarian Roles: Belknap frequently assisted in humanitarian missions, including evacuations and disaster relief, showcasing the versatility of U.S. Navy cruisers beyond combat roles.
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Final Fate: Decommissioned in 1995, USS Belknap was sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise in 1998, ending the career of a ship that symbolized resilience and Cold War service.
