It is interesting to see how the naval constructors attempted to save weight by creating a tapered barbette/turret structure narrowing below decks in Wichita. (Diags in Navweaps) http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_8-55_mk12-15.php
Her bigger gunhouses (Mod 4) allowed better spacing and hence improved the poor dispersion characteristics of earlier 8" gun ships with the same weapons.
The weight saving low down proved a fruitless exercise as:
WikipediaWhen the rest of the 5-inch guns were installed, it was found that the ship was too top-heavy, and so 200.4 long tons (203.6 t) of pig iron had to be added to her bottom to balance the cruiser.
It would be interesting to know what her draft was in service, compared with design.
All the best
wadinga