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Richmond (1) belonged to the last class of US cruisers designed before naval limitations treaties constrained design; Salt Lake City (2) was in the first class designed after the Washington Treaty. Richmond represented the 1920 US Navy’s true desire for a light cruiser; larger and more heavily armed than its contemporary opponents, much smaller than future treaty limits. Salt Lake City was an attempt to build the largest cruiser possible within treaty limits. Both began as light cruisers, classified as such due to the light armor both carried. Salt Lake City was re-rated as a heavy cruiser due to the First London Treaty.