I was built in the early 20th century, served in two world wars, and was a marvel of naval engineering for my time. I'm named after a specific type of powerful being from mythology, and I'm neither a battleship nor an aircraft carrier, but something else entirely.

1. My class was designed for speed and scouting, not direct combat with heavily armored ships.
2. I underwent significant modifications during my service to keep pace with technological advancements.
3. I played a key role in a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
4. My main armament was a collection of guns, rather than large caliber cannons.