Northampton-class heavy cruiser

generate a one-sentence description for a given conceptual class.
# Response Format
Return only the sentence: "Description: [one-sentence description of the conceptional class]"

Class: Northampton-class heavy cruiser

The Northampton-class heavy cruiser was a group of early 1930s U.S. Navy warships designed under the Washington Naval Treaty, featuring 8-inch guns, relatively light armor, and high speed for long-range scouting and fleet screening duties.