The Northamptons were a reaction to the weight and cost of the immediately preceding Pensacola class, differing in several ways.

The Pensacolas mounted a main battery of 10 8-inch (203 mm) guns in four turrets, a twin and superfiring triple fore and aft.

In contrast, the Northamptons mounted 9 8-inch (203 mm) guns in three triple turrets, two forward and one aft, the layout followed in all subsequent U.S. heavy cruisers.

Their lighter-than-expected weight caused them to roll excessively, which necessitated the fitting of deep bilge keels.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.