CA-38 U.S.S. SAN
FRANCISCO
War Diary and Action Reports November 1942,
War Diary
U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO
For the Period
November 1, to November 30, 1942
General:
This diary contains only such information as is
considered to be of interest in regard to the part the San
Francisco is playing in the actual conduct of the war.
Administrative functions and routine affairs are not included
unless of some special interest.
All changes of course, speed, etc., are not
included. Course and speed made good from 1200 of the previous
day to 1200 are given daily with positions at 0800, 1200, and
2000, local zone time.
Zigzags when with convoy are from mersigs unless
otherwise specified. Zigzags when not with convoy are from
general tactical instructions or other navy standard publication
unless otherwise specified.
Normally, ship goes to general quarters one hour
prior to sunrise and re-sets condition three at sunrise. From
sunset to morning general quarters, the ship is in condition two.
When in condition 1 and 2, condition Z is normally maintained,
and in condition 3, condition Y.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 1, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 At sea with Task Force 65. Hunter Ligett, fleet
Guide. Zigzagging on base course 355, speed 14.
0140 1440 Course 315.
0240 1540 Course 283.
0900 2200 Course 308.
0925 2225 Sighted Espiritu Santo, 227° True, 7 Miles.
1300 0200 Course 315.
Task Force 65 enroute to reinforce Guadalcanal
In accordance with CTF 64 Op Order C-1, of
October 29, 1942
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 14-30 S LONG 167-18 E
1200 LAT 14-06 S LONG 166-32 E
2000 LAT 12-56 S LONG 165-19 E
1200 COURSE 321 T SPEED 13.2 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 2, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as OTC, Task Force 65 on course 315°,
Speed 14. Hunter Ligett as fleet guide.
0327 1627 Radar contact on 2 planes bearing 260°T, distance
14 miles.
0628 1928 Course 350 T.
0824 2124 Sighted B-17, bearing 080° T, distance 5 miles.
0925 2225 Course 030 T.
0953 2253 Course 330° T.
1030 2330 Course 290° T.
1048 2348 Course 300° T.
1217 0117 Course 020° T.
1350 0250 Course 245° T.
1505 0405 Course 205° T.
1530 0430 Sighted Pensacola and 4 destroyers bearing 183°,
Distance 15 miles.
1559 0459 Course 295° T.
1640 0540 Course 300° T.
1645 0540 Pensacola and 4 destroyers joined formation (TG
65.7).
1810 0710 Course 150° T.
1930 0830 Course 120° T.
2250 1150 Speed 15 Knots.
2358 1258 Course 270° T.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 11-07 S LONG 163-31.5 E
1200 LAT 10-22 S LONG 163-02 E
2000 LAT 10-27 S LONG 162-30 E
1200 COURSE 320° T SPEED 12.3 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 3, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming at OTC Task Force course 270°T, speed 15
knots. San Francisco as guide.
0422 1222 McCalla left station to investigate contact
reported by Helena (radar).
0431 1731 McCalla dropped depth charges and reported heavy
under water explosions. Believed, to have
destroyed enemy submarines.
0500 1800 Sighted San Cristabol Island bearing 020°T,
distance 22 miles.
0555 1855 Speed 17 knots.
0640 1940 Course 150°T.
1000 2300 Atlanta and destroyers joined formation (TG 65.3)
1141 0041 Course 075°T.
1143 0041 Course 090°T.
1147 0047 Course 075°T.
1230 0130 Course 055°T.
1312 0234 Course 015°T
1434 0334 Sighted Fomalhaut bearing 005°T, 14 miles.
1435 0335 Speed 15 knots.
1441 0341 Course 000°T.
1446 2346 Transports of Task Force joined formation.
1525 0427 Fomalhaut joined formation.
1540 0440 Course 300°T.
1630 0530 Task force 65.4 formed approach disposition as
support force steaming ahead of transports under
respective group commanders.
1825 0725 Sighted Southard ahead.
1840 0740 Passed between San Cristobal and Ulawa Islands.
1900 0800 Course 280°T, speed 14 knots.
2000 0900 Ship went to general quarters.
2200 1100 Course 315°T.
2250 1150 Radar contact on several surface ships bearing
080°T distance 8 miles. Believed to be friendly.
2330 1230 Speed 16 knots.
2341 1241 Speed 18 knots.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 11-09 S LONG 161-17 E
1200 LAT 11-13 S LONG 162-21.5 E
2000 LAT 09-59 S LONG 161-47 E
1200 COURSE 230° T SPEED 13.3 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 4, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as OTC and guide Task Group 65.4
(San Francisco, Helena, Laffey, Sterrett, and
Buchanan) on course 315°T, speed 18 knots. Ship is
at general quarters.
0027 1327 Speed 15 knots.
0044 1344 Course 280°T.
0121 1421 Course 320°T.
0126 1426 Course 000°T
0130 1430 Course 060°T.
0146 1446 Speed 13 knots-maneuvering on various courses in
Indispensable Strait. Task Group 65.6 (Eastern
Landing Group) Task Group 65.5 (Eastern Transport
Group)and Task Group 65.7 (Eastern Screening
Group) passed Task Group 65.4 some time during
night to effect landing transports Aola Bay. Task
Group 65.1 (Transport group and Task Group 65.3
(screening group) proceeded through Sealark
Channel during early morning.
0520 1820 Speed 17 knots.
0520 1820 Sighted 3 destroyers 310°T, distance 5 miles.
Identified as friendly.
0537 1837 Course 260°T.
0550 1850 Secured from general quarter.
0555 1855 Observed AA firing on port quarter.
0600 1900 Course 265°T.
0729 2029 Speed 6 knots.
0740 2040 Received surf boat alongside with 2 marine liaison
officers.
0739 2039 Destroyers commenced shelling Kokumbona.
0740 2040 Observed AA bursts on beach.
0850 2150 Speed 10 knots.
0758 2058 Sounded general quarters.
0814 2114 Launched one plane to spot for shore bombardment.
0830 2130 Commenced maneuvering on various course and speeds
for shore bombardment.
0837 2137 Commenced firing runs on Kohambona and Koli Point
as requested by Com.Gen. Guadalcanal. Expended
810 rounds 5° ammunition and 229 rounds 8".
1113 0013 Secured from general quarters.
1150 0050 Sounded general quarters. Air raid warning.
Transports of group 65.1 underway. Maneuvered at
various courses and speeds as AA screen around
transports.
1305 0205 Transports returned to unload.
1320 0220 Secured from general Quarters.
1357 0257 Marine officers left the ship.
1456 0356 Hoisted in plane to port.
1513 0413 Hoisted in plane to port.
1633 0533 Sounded AA defense. Guadalcanal reported
Aircraft bearing 300°T, distance 9 miles.
1637 0537 Aircraft reported as friendly.
1640 0540 Secured from a AA defense.
1747 0647 Various courses and speeds passing through Sealash
Channel.
1218 0712 Sounded general quarters. On various courses and
speeds during night off Aola Bay. AOLA Bay
transports continued unloading. Task Group 65.1
and 65.3 entered Indispensable Strait for night
to return early morning to continue unloading.
2313 1213 Sighted friendly ships bearing 312°T, distance
5,250 yards.
2330 1230 Task group 65.3 took station astern of Helena.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 09-22 S LONG 160-01 E
1200 LAT 09-19 S LONG 160-05 E
2000 LAT 09-15 S LONG 160-49 E
1200 COURSE 311° T SPEED 10 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 5, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Maneuvering as before.
0343 1643 Task Group 65.3 left formation.
0550 1850 Secured from general quarters. Maneuvering at
Various courses and speeds as AA screen for Aola
landing group.
1050 2350 Sounded general quarters. Enemy aircraft reported
approaching Guadalcanal (24 Zeros, 27 twin-engine
bombers). Transports underway joined formation.
Bombers reported to have bombed airfield from high
altitude.
1221 0121 Secured from general quarters.
1220 0120 Transports returned to unload.
1400 0300 Task Group 65.1 and 65.3 completed unloading,
passed Aola Bay heading in a southeasterly
direction. Radar contact (identified as friendly).
1839 0739 Sounded general quarters.
1843 0743 Secured from general quarters.
2253 1153 Sighted searchlight beams over Guadalcanal.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 09-25 S LONG 160-37 E
1200 LAT 09-29 S LONG 160-32 E
2000 LAT 09-21 S LONG 160-41 E
1200 COURSE 117° T SPEED 16 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 6, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before.
0014 1514 Observed searchlights and flares over Savo Island.
0130 1430 Transport group completed unloading and got
underway.
0212 1512 Sounded general quarters. 2 enemy ships reported
near Savo Island.
0237 1537 Course 090°T,
0240 1540 Pensacola end destroyers joined formation.
0318 1618 Course ll0°T.
0325 1625 Speed 16 knots.
0445 1745 Course 130°T.
0546 1846 Secured from general quarters.
0835 2135 Sighted friendly ships bearing l00°T, distance 16
miles.
1318 0218 Course 100°T.
1441 0341 Course 150°T
1526 0426 Course 170°T.
1731 0631 Course 230°T.
1734 0634 Speed 18 knots.
1824 0724 Course 180°T.
Task group 65.4 covering retirement of transports
And screening groups proceeding Espiritu Santo.
Task Group 65.4 as reorganized comprises
San Francisco, Helena, Sterret, Gwin, Buchanan,
Laffey. This group also designated Task Force 65.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 09-51.5 S LONG 161-33 E
1200 LAT 10-09 S LONG 162-32.5 E
2000 LAT 11-45 S LONG 162-58.2 E
1200 COURSE 109° T SPEED 5.8 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 7, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before as OTC Teak Force 65
and fleet guide Task Group 65.4. Course
180° speed 15 knots.
0540 1840 Course 140°T.
0553 1853 Course 100°T.
0602 1902 Speed 16 knots.
1335 0235 Launched plane for Espiritu Santo.
1933 0833 Speed 15 knots.
2043 0943 Course 110°T.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 14-05 S LONG 163-25 E
1200 LAT 14-14 S LONG 164-19 E
2000 LAT 14-22.5 S LONG 166-24 E
1200 COURSE 157° T SPEED 12.5 Knots
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 8, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 65 TASK GROUP 65.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before with Task Force 65. San
Francisco fleet guide. Zigzagging on base course
110° T. Speed 15 knots
0134 1434 Course 155°T.
0147 1447 Course 195°T.
0236 1536 USS Sterret reported radar contact bearing 295°T,
distant 3000 yards. USS Buchanan ordered to
investigate. Investigation negative.
0239 1539 Commenced steaming on various courses at various
speeds approaching Espiritu Santo.
0446 1746 Launched one aircraft for anti-submarine patrol.
0619 1919 Moored starboard side to Guadalupe in Second
Channel, Espiritu Santo.
0847 2147 Shifted berths, mooring in berth Y-1, Second
Channel.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 9, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE TASK GROUP TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Anchored as before in Second Channel, Espiritu
Santo.
1330 0230 Captain Cassin Young, U.S. Navy relieved Captain
C. H. McMorris, U.S. Navy as Commanding officer
this vessel.
1513 0413 Shifted berth to X-6, Second Channel.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 10, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 67 TASK GROUP 67.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Anchored as before in Second Channel, Espiritu
Santo.
0603 1903 Underway in accordance with orders of CTF 67, as
Flagship of Task Group 67.4, composed of cruisers
San Francisco, Helena, Pensaco1a, and four
screening destroyers.
0648 1648 Clear of Espiritu Santo. Destroyers formed anti-
Submarine screen on cruisers. Cruisers in column
from van to rear, San Francisco, Helena,
Pensacola. Steaming on various courses at
various speeds approaching and passing through
Bougainville Straits.
0755 2055 Commenced zigzagging on case course 270°T, speed
15 knots.
1000 2300 Course 320°T.
1239 0139 Sighted plane bearing 035°T, distant 8 miles.
Identified as friendly.
1340 0240 Launched two aircraft for spotting Offset Battle
Practice.
1400 0300 Ceased zigzagging. Steadied up on 320°T.
1495 0305 Commenced firing Offset Battle Practice to
starboard.
1499 0309 Ceased firing. Practice completed.
1412 0312 Resumed zigzagging on base curse 320°T.
1454 0354 Steaming on various courses at various speeds to
Recover two aircraft
1532 0432 Resumed zigzagging on base course 320°T, speed 17
knots.
1734 0634 Course 280°T.
1736 0636 USS Preston, USS Gwin, and USS Pensacola left
Formation to join Task Force 16 for duty.
1930 0850 Course 326°T.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 11, 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 67 TASK GROUP 67.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before with Task Group 67.4. San
Francisco, fleet guide. Zigzagging on base course
326°T, speed 17 knots.
0424 1724 Radar surface contact bearing 274°T, distant 18
miles. TBS communication identified contact as
USS Portland, USS Juneau, and accompanying
destroyers and transports.
0500 1800 Sighted eight ships bearing 290°T, distant 8
miles.
0541 1841 Identified as friendly.
0635 1935 Commenced steaming on various courses, joining
Task Force 67. This task group (67.4) joined the
remaining units of Task Force 67. Comtaskfor 67
in USS McCawley (OTC) USS Helena, USS Portland,
USS Juneau, USS Shaw, USS Monssen, USS Sterrett,
USS Cushing, USS Buchanan, USS Laffey.
0700 2000 Zigzagging on course 330°T, speed 15 knots.
0727 2027 USS Shaw alongside for mail passing.
0753 2053 Course 300°T.
0816 2116 Course 130°T.
0820 2120 Course 150°T.
0855 2155 Course 240°T.
0905 2205 Course 330°T.
0928 2228 USS Sterret alongside for passing mail.
1007 2307 Course 300°T.
1044 2344 Sighted San Cristobal Island bearing 320°T,
distant 45 miles.
1046 2346 Course 260°T.
1128 0028 USS Helena had radar contact on aircraft
bearing180°T distant 20 miles. Aircraft sighted
at 1135, distant 8 miles. Identified as enemy
twin float reconnaissance mid or low-wing
monoplane. Appeared to be using shadowing tactics
1136 0036 Sounded AA defense.
1201 0101 Secured from AA Defense.
1228 0128 Course 280°T.
1307 0207 Sighted friendly patrol plane (PBY) bearing 345°T,
distant 8 miles.
1322 0222 Course 300°T.
1327 0227 Speed 22 knots.
1347 0247 USS Monssen depth charged sound contact. Results
unknown.
1500 0400 Course 270°T.
1505 0405 Launched two planes.
1509 0409 Course 300°T.
1604 0504 Course 345°T.
1635 0535 Sighted two planes bearing 125°T. Planes not
identified
1707 0607 Course 000°T.
1720 0620 Sighted Guadalcanal Island bearing 340°T.
1835 0735 Cruisers formed in column, van to rear, San
Francisco, Helena, Portland, Juneau.
1840 0740 Ship went to general quarters.
1925 0825 Course 315°T.
2008 0908 Formed battle disposition, cruisers maintaining
column, 4 destroyers forming column dead ahead of
cruisers.
2017 0917 Course 285°T.
2112 1012 Speed 15 knots.
2115 1015 USS Atlanta and 3 destroyers joined formation
astern. Steaming on various westerly courses
proceeding along north coast of Guadalcana1.
2250 1150 Observed sporadic artillery fire along coast of
Guadalcanal.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 12 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 67 TASK GROUP 67.4 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before on a westerly courses along
north coast of Guadalcanal. Speed 15 knots. In
company with Task Group 67.4 plus Atlanta and 3
destroyers.
0005 1305 Changed course to north and commenced patrol in
vicinity of Lunga Point.
0516 1816 Transports group arrived Lunga Point area and
commenced unloading. Combatant ships acting as
screen.
0547 1847 USS Buchanan made underwater sound contact and
attacked with depth charges. Results unknown.
0624 1924 Secured from general quarters.
0645 1945 Enemy shore battery opened fire on transport
group. USS Helena and two destroyers proceeded to
return fire and to silence battery.
1318 0218 Received information of imminent attack by enemy
air group. All ships underway and at AA defense.
1408 0308 Attacked by 21 enemy torpedo bombers. Details of
attack contained in Report of Torpedo Attack.
November 12, 1942.
1416 0316 Enemy torpedo bombers crashed dived into after
bulkhead of After Main Battery Control Station.
Burning gasoline caused heavy casualties. List of
casualties appended this diary.
1430 0330 Action completed. Transports and screen returned
to unloading operations.
1525 0425 Secured from AA defense.
1835 0735 Transports underway upon completion of unloading,
combatant ships screening their retirement.
Steaming on easterly courses at various speeds.
2211 1111 Screening group left transports and reversed
course to proceed to intercept strong enemy force
sighted by own aircraft approaching Guadalcanal.
2217 1117 Course 270°T, speed 18 knots.
2236 1236 Speed 15 knots.
2356 1256 Course 260°T.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 13 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 67 TASK GROUP 67.4 TASK UNIT
0009 1309 Course220°T. Passing through Lengo Channel.
0011 1311 Course 270°T.
0023 1323 Course 280°T.
0123 1423 Speed 18 knots.
0128 1428 USS Helena radar screen showed object bearing
315°T, distance 31,900 yards. This contact
developed into three groups as the range closed.
0133 1433 Course 315°T .
0140 1440 Course 000°T.
0148 1448 Commenced engagement with enemy surface forces.
Details in Report of Night Action, 12-13
November,1942. Upon breaking off action, retired
eastward along north coast of Guadalcanal.
0400 1700 (Approximately) Joined USS Helena, who assumed
command and passed eastward through Sealark
Channel. Took station astern of Helena and
followed her movements, since all compasses on
this ship were out of commission due to action
damage. Set course for Espiritu Santo. Joined at
daylight by USS Juneau, USS Fletcher, USS
O'Bannon, USS Sterrett, and USS Buchanan.
Steaming, on easterly course at approximately 16
knots.
1101 0001 USS JUNEAU hit by one, possibly two, torpedoes,
Which passed close aboard this ship. Details in
action report of this attack.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 14 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE TASK GROUP TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before on easterly courses, at speed
20 knots, Enroute Guadalcanal to Espiritu Santo.
1014 2314 USS Sterrett made sound contact. Formation
maneuvered radically to avoid possible torpedo
attack. No attack made. USS Sterrett lost
contact at 1027 and rejoined formation.
1553 0453 Entered port and anchored in berth A-11, Second
Channel, Espiritu Santo.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 15-18 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE TASK GROUP TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Anchored as before in berth A-11, Second Channel,
Espiritu Santo.
1300 On November 17, 1942, Captain Albert F. Frence,
U.S.N. assumed command of this vessel
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 18 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 62 TASK GROUP 62.7 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Anchored as before in berth A-11, Second Channel,
Espiritu Santo.
1645 0545 Underway and proceeded out of port, enroute
Espiritu Santo to Noumea. Ships in company, USS
Helena, USS Sterrett, USS Buchanan, and USS Gwin.
USS Helena guide, destroyers formed as anti-
submarine screen. Speed 20 knots. Task Group
designated 62.7. Group Commander, C.O. USS
Helena.
2035 0935 USS Gwin depth charged sound contact. No torpedo
attack observed. Contact lost, no results of
depth charge attack observed
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 19 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 62 TASK GROUP 62.7 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before on southerly courses Enroute
Espiritu Santo to Noumea, New Caledonia.
POSITIONS
0800 LAT 19-15.5 S LONG 167-55.7 E
1200 LAT 20-19 S LONG 168-23 E
2000 LAT 22-17 S LONG 168-22 E
1200
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 20 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 62 TASK GROUP 62.7 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Steaming as before on various courses, approaching
New Caledonia, Enroute Espiritu Santo to Noumea,
New Caledonia.
0940 2240 Entered port and anchored in Great Roads, Noumea,
New Caledonia.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 20-23 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 66 TASK GROUP 66.7 TASK UNIT
0000 1300 Anchored as before in Great Roads, Noumea, New
Caledonia.
1318 0218 Underway in accordance with orders of Comsopac
Enroute from Noumea, New Caledonia, to Pearl
Harbor, T.H. Joined off Burlari Passage by
destroyer escorts, USS Sterrett, USS Conyngham,
and USS Mahan. All ships proceeding navy yard for
repairs.
ZONE DESCR. -11 DATE November 23-30 1942
LZT GCT TASK FORCE 66 TASK GROUP 66.7 TASK UNIT
Steaming as before, Enroute from Noumea, New
Caledonia, to Pearl Harbor, T.H. Route to south
and east of Samoan Island, Passing within sight
contact of Tutuila, thence northward direct to
Pearl Harbor. Speed 16.5 knots. No enemy
contacts or unusual incidents during passage.
A.F. FRANCE
Captain, U.S. Navy
ADDEMDA TO WAR DIARY - November 1942.
The action reports referred to in November War Diary have been
classified as SECRET.
Action Report of Night Action, November 12-13 : See U.S.S. SAN
FRANCISCO SECRET Serial 03812. (Missing)
Action Report - U.S.S. JUNEAU, torpedoing of, November 13 : See
U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO SECRET serial 00118b of November 22, 1942.
(missing)
Copies have been previously delivered to CinC Pac.
IN REPLY
REFER TO: U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO
LIST OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN KILLED AND WOUNED IN TORPEDO PLANE
ENGAGEMT NOVEMBER 12, 1942:
KILLED IN ACTION
NAME RANK OR RATE SIGNAL - SERVICE NO.
HARRIS, Albert Thomas Lieut(jg) DVG USNR
CARLSON, Neil Alvin AMM3c 385 93 81
GATES, William Finnie Sea2c 640 17 33
CHATELL, Harold John Sea1c 311 72 69
EISELE, George Raymond Sea2c 660 19 58
FALGOUT, George Irvin Sea2c 644 28 72
GANDY, Andrew Jackson Jr. Sea2c 640 23 68
GEORGE, Eugene Frank Sea2c 312 01 06
GREER, Charles Fred FO3c(M) 360 06 67
LOWE, Harry James Jr. GM3w 287 44 05
LOY, Jackson Kieth GM3w 300 15 52
POWELL, William Thomas GM2c 279 63 32
SLATER, Frank Olga Sea2c 604 26 57
STOLTE,. Raymond Louis Sea2c 382 46 29
WILLIAMSON, John Leon Sea1c 262 61 38
WOUNDED IN ACTION
BARTA, Vit John FC2c(M) 360 18 20
BRANEL, Burgess Vance Sea2c 654 24 14
BRANDON, Glen Harvey Sea2c 616 59 26
BRIGHAM, Donald Carlisle QM1c 234 17 94
CLARK, Acy Frances Sea 2/c 624 23 98
COVERT, Albert Donald Sea 1/c 279 75 59
FELIX, Len Wilbur Sea 1/c 670 13 97
FINFROCK, Harry Lee Y 2/c 300 15 44
FLISAK, Stanley Anthony Y 2/c 243 65 98
HIJEBSGH, Joe Henry AMM 3/c 393 39 72
IUSE, William Eugene Y 3/c 321 46 61
MC DERMOTT, Joseph Alexander Jr. Y 2/c 258 14 58
MIDYETTE, Lewis Bracy FC2/c 262 37 13
MURPHY, Ralph Ivan Sea 1/c 372 15 98
MYLMI, Robert Vincent FC 3/c(M) 660 04 00
NASH, James Robert Sea 2/c 640 23 99
NICHOLS, Harold Wright FC 3/c (M) 287 41 45
PERRINE, Sheldon Rose Sea2c 614 09 00
SEXTON, Jefferson David Sea1c 382 23 29
SOLANO, Ralph Joseph Jr. Y2c 372 15 53
STARK, Joseph Paul Sea2c 382 57 17
TARPLEY, Lewis (n) GM2c 268 50 09
TERLIZZI, Angelo (n) Sea1c 207 28 47
VIANELLO, Charles Pratt RM2c 376 01 98
WALLACE, John Arnold FC3c(M) 337 48 79
CHOUTEAU, Walter Cerre Lieut (jg) DVG, USNR
LOMBARD, John Archer Lieut (jg) DVG, USNR
WALLACE, John George Lieut (jg) USN
WEEMS, Jeptha Clark Ship's Clerk USN
MISSING IN ACTION
# BONCOSKEY, Ralph Frank Sea1c 300 14 92
# Subsequently rescued.
IN REPLY
REFER TO: U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO
LIST OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN KILLED AND WOUEDED IN NIGHT SURFACE
BATTLE ENGAGEMENT NOVEMBER 13, 1942:
KILLED IN ACTION
NAME RANK OR RATE SIGNAL - SERVICE NO.
CALLAGHAN, Daniel J. Admiral, Rear 283
LE HARDY, Louis M. Lieut-Comdr. 2667
CUMMINGS, Damon M. Lieut-Comdr. 3866
WINTLE, Jack W. Lieut-Comdr. 4298
YOUNG, Cassin Captain 589
#ROUTER, Mark Hanna Commander 1207
HUBBARD, Joseph Charles Commander 1353
HINE, Thomas Ringle Lieut. 4966
HANNA, John Carlyle Lieut. 7197
VANDERHOOF, Allan Lynne Lieut.(jg) DVG, USNR
EISNER, Jacques Rodney Lieut.(jg) DVG, USNR
CURTIS, Bernard John Lieut.(jg) AVN, USNR
WITTER, Jean Carter Jr. Ensign DVG, USNR
BROWN, Lewis T. Lieut.(jg) DVS, USNR
ADAMS, Arthur Vincent Mamth2c 382 26 86
ANDERSON, Eric John GM3c 316 67 95
BUEREN, Ernest August Sea1c 376 47 22
CHRISMAN, Glen Alva SM3c 412 10 43
CHRONISTER, William Jessie Sea2c 668 74 12
EVANS, Winfred Lorin CQM(AA) 341 93 79
GARRETT, Clifford Taylor Cox. 337 31 57
GASTELUM, William (n) Sea2c 555 55 81
GLASS, Earl Jenks Sea2c 624 38 36
GREEN, George (n) Sea2c 644 25 93
GRUNDER, John Dale Sea1c 321 68 57
HALL, William Stewart Sea2c 660 20 34
HAND, Haro1d Holmes Sea2c 382 17 39
HARBOR, Walter (n) AMM3c 223 79 17
HARMON, Leonard Roy Matt1c 360 04 18
HAUG, Thor Egil F1c 223 82 06
HELVESTON, Otis Lamar Sea2c 604 23 43
HUDSON, Dale Kermit Sea1c 337 28 80
HUGRES, William Hayden SK3c 375 86 62
JACKSON, Charles Allen Matt1c 272 38 30
JAMES, Richeleau Xertes Sea1c 632 00 86
JANOSCO, Nicholas (n) PR3c 328 74 35
JAPP. Edwin Henry Sea2c 660 21 21
JENKINS, Clair Raymond Sea1c 321 46 48
KAUFFMAN, Elmer Henry Cox. 243 74 17
KAZMIERSKI, Edwin Stanley GM2c 243 73 46
KEMPA, George Edward SM3c 368 53 29
KLINE, Floyd Munro Sea2c 670 19 72
LAMB, Cecil Elmer Sea2c 616 51 31
LIBBY, Abe (n) Sea2c 640 23 89
LOCKWOOD, Will Allen Sea1c 279 61 25
MADISON, Herbert (n) OC3c 287 26 57
MARCY, Gorden Wayne Sea2c 654 34 65
MARTIN, Clyde Custer Sea2c 668 44 64
MC BRIDE, Jack Lafayette Sea2c 316 66 95
MC KERNAN, Louis Frank SF1c 341 72 61
MC NEIL, William Claude Sea2c 300 39 61
NICHOLS, John Richard Sea1c 372 25 31
PASTOR, JOSEPH John Sea2c 668 54 13
PERKINS, Robert Paul Sea1c 287 50 40
RAY, Clarence Wendell Sea1c 321 74 37
ROSSON, George Bobo Y2c 616 01 92
SCBODER, Raymond Walter GM1c 321 22 21
SLOUGH, Thomas Glenn Sea1c 356 18 17
SPANGENBERG, Kenneth Jerome GM3c 243 75 65
STEELE, Roy Lerson Jr. Sea2c 640 19 05
STONE, Wesley Howard GM3c 212 58 53
BZYMANSKI, Edward Robert SF2c 346 72 73
TAYLOR, Emmett Shaw CM3c 268 48 12
TUCKER, Francis Joseph Cox 201 76 41
TURNER, Jack Monroe Cox 295 68 93
WAGNER, Walter John Sea2c 316 83 42
WERTEEN, Edwin Loid GM3c 342 26 17
WILKINS, Wilbur Jackson Jr. F2c 604 26 08
WISENBERGER, Paul Grey F2c 612 08 66
ZAIGER, Albert Charles CM3c 620 04 88
KLATT, George Staat Plt.Sgt. 222792 USMC
DALTON, Charles Milton Corporal 307004 USMC
BERRAY, James E. Pfc 340536 USMC
BURDETTE, Snyder Pfc 311827 USMC
RITCHIE, George Pfc 347714 USMC
ST. JOHN, Earl J. Pfc 350056 USMC
SAMUELSON, Allen B. Pvt. 357426 USMC
# Seriously wounded in action of November 12th.
MISSING IN ACTION
# THOLUPSON, Wilbert Lee Lieut.(jg) CVS, USNR
BOCKOVER, Harvey Allen Sea2c 664 08 87
# HARDY, Wendell Richard GM3c 300 15 68
# LEWIS, Robert Jerd Sea1c 337 50 15
LUNDIE, JACK LEROY Cox 265 93 55
QUICK, Ray Wilbur F3c 668 43 79
WAIJLEN Samuel Elmer Sea1c 262 60 03
## Subsequently rescued
WOUNDED IN ACTION
O'BEIRNE, Emmett Lieut-Comdr. 3703
ARISON, Rae Emmett Commander 1812
MC CANDLESS B. Lieut-Comdr. 4265
WESTIN, Howard Sevens Lieut. 5177
KERKERING, Stanley William Lieut. 6556
SIMMONS, Arthur Edwin Lieut.(jg) AVN,USNR
ISBELL, Harold Austin Carpenter USN
BAKER, Arthur Oliver Sea2c . 654 24 44
BAUER, Carl Raymond Sea2c 618 21 75
BODIKEY, Romualdo (n) OC1c 497 91 20
BONDSTEEL, Lynford Lawrence PHM3e 311 82 12
BURRIS, William Addison Sea2c 644 44 34
CAMP, James Ernest Sea2c 630 17 13
CONKLIN, Elmer James Sea1c 316 68 18
DAWSON, Wesley Harrison Sea2c 660 20 63
EDWARDS, Richard Marion Sea1c 356 54 84
EVES, Stephen Corbett Sea2c 660 20 52
FAULKNER, Cecil Thedore Sea2c 604 43 70
FAUST, Albert Charles RM2c 404 90 99
GILPIN, Edgar Gordon Sea2c 300 81 83
GOHN, James Calvin Sea2c 633 13 02
GOWENS, Earl Alferd F3c 628 26 09
GRAHAM, Ralph Junior Sea1c 316 67 83
HALL, Oscar Smith Sea2c 624 40 28
HAMMACK, James Lloyd Sea1c 346 93 70
HANNAH, Hoyt "N" Cox 346 71 34
HARSH, Donald Edward Sea2c 612 22 00
HEAD, Lester Curt BM1c 272 21 78
HILIMAN, Ralph Albert Cox 316 67 76
HOLBROOK, Heber "A" PHM3c 368 61 50
JAMES, Carrol Woodfin Sea1c 360 39 11
KIEFER, Harry Joseph Sea1c 243 73 54
KING, John William Jr. Sea2c 274 64 44
KINNEY, Charles Leonard Cox 342 27 66
KLEE, Walter Donald GM2c 328 74 15
KRAUSE, Lloyd Stanley Sea1c 316 66 83
LASSEN, Henry (n) Sea2c 372 40 59
LEVY, Harold Bertrum Sea1c 342 27 48
LEWIS, Alvin Jesse Sea1c 223 89 56
MARLEY, Thomas Keith Cox 262 28 45
MIKULENCAK, Joseph Frank Sea2c 624 03 61
MORTIMER, Melvin Wayne F3c 399 56 76
MURPHY, George Delmas Jr. Sea1c 376 06 20
MYHRE, Leonard Marvin Sea2c 660 20 31
NIEMEIER, Walter Henry EM2c 321 39 24
OLSON, Manfred. Chester F2c 393 44 04
PETERSON, Robert George CGM(AA) 320 85 85
PHILLIPS, Robert (n) Sea2c 668 17 85
POTTER, Joseph Skinner Jr. EM3c 382 10 83
REYNOLDS, William Dwain F2c 368 67 29
RISLAND, Oscar Stanley Sea2c 638 48 91
ROBB, Semuel Kelly Cox 385 79 35
SEHRT, Glann Francis Sea2c 662 51 53
SETTLE, Carl Dean Sea2c 337 49 04
SMITH, Samuel Robert Cox 370 08 39
SPENCER, Jimmie Leon Sea2c 670 17 01
ST GEORGE, Merlyn Joseph Sea1c 328 82 58
STORCK, Emory Thompson Sea1c 266 16 48
STORY Henry Cleve Sea2c 670 17 10
TUPPER, Theodore (n) Jr. FM3c 223 83 77
VALACH, Elemil (n) CGM(AA) 212 39 37
VOISINET, Robert Keen SM3c 234 26 87
WARD, Harold Emanuel MAtt2c 223 64 44
WHITE, WILLIAM David Sea2c 640 19 29
WILDER, James Richard SF3c 316 63 42
BEAN, Harold Ray Sk3C 356 50 33
GRACE, Elwood Grant Jr. F3c 382 96 33
HANNA, Julius Andy Sea1c 321 60 03
HOGAN, Raymond Henry Sea1c 660 23 09
ROBINSON, Harold Payne GM1c 268 20 24
SNELL, Ralph Howard Cox 376 01 19
STODGHILL, James Edward Cox 268 49 90
TROOP, Charles Jr. Sea1c 287 51 33
LEE, Benjamin G. First Sergeant 241740 USMC
EGAN, John Maurice Francis Sergeant 269130 USMC
HOPSON, Miles W. Corporal 302754 USMC
MEALER, Hubert R. Corporal 306102 USMC
RAMSY, Walter J. Jr. Corporal 298707 USMC
LARGE, Charles J. FLDCK 300824 USMC
MAELER, Carl W. Pfc 311471 USMC
MC CARSTLE, Howard P. Jr. Pfc 324043 USMC
POORE Forrest F. Pfc 307370 USMC
SPENCER, Clifford C. Pfc 336891 USMC
AGUILAR, Joe M. Sergeant 298737 USMC
MEDLIN, Otho H. Corporal 292832 USMC
CARRELL, Robert R. Pfc 311748 USMC
ROGERS, Harold W. Pfc 314306 USMC
MIDDLESWORTH, Malbert FM1c 307943 USMC
CARLSON, Oscar Gunnery Sgt. 235122 USMC
HILLAS, Robert Alexander Jr. Ensign DVS, USNR
ISBELL, Harold Austin Carpenter USN
AVALOS, Christopher (n) Sea1c 618 21 25
CHRISTENSEN, Jess Willard BM2c 371 91 05
DE BENEDETTI, Albert (n) Sea2c 393 59 20
GILGREASE William Eugene Sea2c 360 51 34
HOLMQUIST Carl Eric CMM(PA) 238 33 41
JENKINS, Elmer Leslie Jr. Sea2c 291 64 50
KEPPLER, Reinhardt John BM1c 385 67 73
LUKENS, Edward Alan Sea1c 243 78 92
NICKSON, Joseph Francis BM2c 204 31 87
PETERSON, John William Dean GM3c 328 55 36
REYNOLDS, Jesse (n) Jr. BM2c 311 44 47
VANCE "C" "R" BM2c 376 01 03
WHITE, Arnold Earl RDM3c 356 54 65
WUBKER, Virgil Max Sea1c 321 43 82
IN REPLY
REFER TO: U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO
ENLISTED MAN KILLED IN ACTION SOLOMON ISLAND NOVEMBER 18, 1942:
NAME RATE SERVICE NO.
* GANNO, Otis Charles ARM2c 274 44 70
* Killed in crash of PBY patrol on November 18, 1942, near Tulagi,
Solomon Island. Plane in which GANNON was a passenger crashed on
take-off. Body recovered and buried in grave #80, U.S. Navy -
U.S. Marine Corps Cemetery, #1 White Beach.
ACTION REPORT
USS SAN FRANCISCO CA-38
SERIAL 0411 16 NOVEMBER 1942
AIR ATTACK OFF LUNGA POINT, GUADALCANAL, 12 NOVEMBER
1942, REPORT OF.
REPORT OF ACTING C.O. LCDR. H. E. SCHONLAND COVERING ACTION
AT 1408 DURING JAPANESE AIR ATTACK ON TASK FORCE 67, OFF
LUNGA POINT, GUADALCANAL. A DAMAGED TORPEDO PLANE APPEARED
TO DELIBERATELY CRASH THE AFTER SUPER STRUCTUR, CAUSING
EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND 45 CASUALTIES.
44804
In Reply
Refer To: U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO
CA38/A16-3.
Serial ts/133 November 16, 1942.
From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander in Chief, U. S. PACIFIC FLEET.
Via : (1) The Commander Task Force SIXTY-SEVEN,
(Rear Admiral R. K. Turner).
(2) The Commander South Pacific Area and
South Pacific Force.
Subject: Action Report - Air Attack, November 12, 1942.
1. The following report is made of repulse of an air attack
against Task Force 67 off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, in the Solomons
during the afternoon of November 12, 1942.
2. Task Force 67 formed special anti-aircraft disposition
about 1317 on orders of Commander Task Force 67. Transports (6) were
formed in two columns, in line of divisions, axis 340, course 340,
speed 10 knots, with SAN FRANCISCO stationed 1000 yards on the axis
ahead of the transports. Speed was later increased to 14 knots and the
disposition maneuvered by Commander Task Force 67 off Lunga Point. SAN
FRANCISCO generally adhered to the station assigned but during the
attack increased speed to 25 knots (for brief intervals) and
maneuvered radically to avoid torpedoes and to enable the main and
anti-aircraft batteries to fire at torpedo planes.
3. Japanese air attack group has been estimated to have
comprised 21 torpedo planes (twin engine land planes), 9 Zero fitters,
and some dive bombers totaling about 52 planes, Except for one Zero
fighter which was seen to plummet down through the clouds, only
torpedo planes were seen by this ship. Between 19 and 21 of them were
counted.
4. Torpedo planes approached undetected (or at least
unreported) down the north coast of Florida Island, and came south
going over Florida Island. They fanned out as they came over and.
appeared to break up into two groups, one approaching the formation
from the southeast, the other from the northeast. A.A. Control
estimates their speed at 170 knots. Planes flew very low, literally
skimming the water (less than 50 feet) and used the dark background of
Florida and Tulagi Islands to reduce silhouette effect against the
sky. Approach formation appeared to be excellent, planes fanning out
from three plane sections.
5. Fire was commenced at 1408 with the 5" battery. The first
bursts were on and the plane under fire crashed immediately. Salvos
were fired by the main battery at ranges between 5000 and 2000 yards.
Splashes from 8" A.P. projectiles were very effective in causing
planes to make radical maneuvers. Our A.A. fire shot down one plane,
damaged two planes and heavily hit the plane which crashed into
Control Aft.
6. One torpedo passed ahead of this ship and was avoided by
maneuvering. One passed forward long the starboard side. One torpedo
was soon to ricochet upwards at an angle of about 45 degrees on
striking the water and nearly torpedoed the plane that dropped it. It
went end over end several times and then sank. One or two were seen to
porpoise during the early part of the run but apparently took their
depth and ran properly. One erratic run (circular) was noted. No hits
were registered on any ships. Wakes were very distinct, more by
apparent ripples on the surface of the water than by bubbles.
7. At 1416 this ship was individually attacked by an already
damaged torpedo plane which dropped its torpedo on the starboard
quarter (torpedo passed alongside to starboard) and plane then
appeared to deliberately crash the after superstructure of this ship.
Plane's right wing struck Control Aft about 170 relative, swung around
into that structure, and plunged over tile port side into the sea
where it crashed and burned. Considerable damage and intense fires
were caused by this crash and the following personnel casualties
occurred.
Killed or Died Wounded
of Injuries. (Mostly Burned) Missing
Officers 1 4 0
Enlisted 14 25 1
Control Aft was demolished, Battle two burned out, and the after
A.A. Director and After Fox Cast Radar were put out of commission.
Three 20 mm. mounts were demolished. Wounded personnel were
transferred to U.S.S. PRESIDENT JACKSON, with the exception of
Commander Grouter who wished to remain aboard ship so that he could be
returned to duty in a minimum time. Commanfer Grouter's gallantry was
ill-rewarded, in that he suffered additional injuries when a shell
exploded in his cabin during the subsequent night action resulting in
his death The loss of personnel and disabling of equipment was most
keenly felt by this vessel in the following engagement.
8. Ammunition expended:
8" - 15 rounds
5" - 180 rounds
1.1" - 160 rounds (approximately).
20mm. - 1200 rounds (approximately).
9. Name plate from the plane which crashed this ship was
obtained and is forwarded separately via airmail to Officer in Charge,
Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Area, (Commandant 14th Naval
District). Plane appears to have been a Mitsubishi 97 twin engine
landplane, painted dark.
10. During the action, a submarine was seen on the surface in
the vicinity of Cape Esperance-Savo Island, with one Japanese torpedo
plane flying low in the vicinity. ComTaskGroup 67.4 was notified and
the U.S .S. SHAW was dispatched by him to destroy the submarine, and
reports reaching this indicate that she destroyed this submarine by
gunfire on surface.
11. At 1505 radio Guadalcanal reported all clear shortly
thereafter transports moved in to resume unloading. This ship observed
at least eight torpedo planes destroyed, including one that was
damaged by this ship but apparently getting away when it was destroyed
by a fighter (F4F4) . This believed to be only a fraction of the
enemy's losses.
12. It is desired to mention the remarkable fire
discipline and courage of the crews of the 20 mm. guns on the
gallery around Control Aft who were firing on the approaching
torpedo plane and who continued to fire into it with all their
guns until they were wiped out by the plane's actually flying
into them. They met their deaths without flinching and in a
manner which has been an inspiration to us all.
H. E. SCHONLAND,
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy.
Commanding.
Copies to:
CINCPAC (Original plus 1.)
COMPAC
COMTASKFOR 67 (Rear Admiral Turner)
WAR DIARY
File No.
AMPHIBIOUS FORCE
E25/ A16-3(3) SOUTH PACIFIC FORCE
Office of the Commander
Serial: TS/133
U.S.S. McCAWLEY, Flagship,
November 17, 1942
First endorsement to
CO SAN FRANCISCO Ltr.
of November 16, 1942.
From: Commander Task Force SIXTY SEVEN.
To : Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Via : Commander South Pacific Force.
Subject: Action Report - Air Attack, November 12, 1942.
1. Forwarded
R. K. TURNER,
COMSOPAC FILE
SOUTH PACIFIC FORCE
A16/(11) of the UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
Headquarters of the Commander
Serial TS/133
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
C.O. SAN FRANISCO ltr.
CA38/A16-3/ Ser. 0411
of November 16, 1942.
From: The Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific
Force.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Subject: Action Report - Air Attack, November 12, 1942.
1. Forwarded.
W. F. HALSEY
History of the U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO CA-38
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
U.S.S. San Francisco CA-38
The second SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) was laid down on 9 September 1931 at
the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif.; launched on 9 March 1933;
sponsored by Miss Barbara M. Bailly; and commissioned on 10 February 1934,
Capt. Royal E. Ingersoll in command.
After an extensive shakedown cruise--which included operations off
Mexico, in Hawaiian waters, off Washington and British Columbia, and a voyage
to the Panama Canal Zone--the cruiser returned to the Mare Island Navy Yard.
Gunnery installation and conversion to a flagship took her into the new year,
1935. In February, she joined her division, Cruiser Division (CruDiv) 6 at
San Diego. In May, she moved north, participated in Fleet Problem XVI; then
returned to southern California. A few weeks later, she was back off the
northwest coast for fleet tactics, and, in July, she steamed farther north to
Alaska. In August, she returned to California and, through the end of 1938,
SAN FRANCISCO continued to range the eastern Pacific, cruising from the state
of Washington to Peru and from California to Hawaii.
In January 1939, she departed the west coast to participate in Fleet
Problem XX conducted in the Atlantic east of the Lesser Antilles. In March,
she became flagship of CruDiv 7 and commenced a goodwill tour of South
American ports. Departing Guantanamo Bay in early April, she called at ports
on the east coast of that continent, moved through the Strait of Magellan;
visited west coast ports; and, in early June, transited the Panama Canal to
complete her voyage around the continent.
On 1 September, World War II started, and, on the 14th, SAN FRANCISCO
moved south from Norfolk to join the Neutrality Patrol. The cruiser carried
freight and passengers to San Juan, thence sailed for a patrol of the West
Indies as far south as Trinidad. On 14 October, she completed her patrol
back at San Juan and headed for Norfolk, where she remained into January
1940. On the 11th, she headed for Guantanamo Bay, where she was relieved of
flagship duties by WICHITA (CA-45), and whence she returned to the Pacific.
Transiting the Panama Canal in late February, she called at San Pedro
and, in March, continued on to her new home port, Pearl Harbor, where she
rejoined CruDiv 6. In May, she steamed northwest to the Puget Sound Navy
Yard for an overhaul, during which she also received four 3-inch guns. On 29
September, she returned to Pearl Harbor. In early May 1941, she became
flagship of CruDiv 6, and, at the end of July, she moved east for a cruise to
Long Beach, returning to Hawaii on 27 August. In September, the flag of
ComCruDiv 6 was hauled down, and, on 11 October, SAN FRANCISCO entered the
Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for an overhaul which was scheduled for completion on
25 December.
On 7 December, SAN FRANCISCO was awaiting docking and the cleaning of
her heavily fouled bottom. Her engineering plant was largely broken down for
overhaul. Ammunition for her 5-inch and 8-inch guns had been placed in
storage. Her 3-inch guns had been removed to permit installation of four
1.1-inch quadruple mounts. The 1.1-inch mounts had not been installed. Her
.50 caliber machine guns were being overhauled. Only small arms and two .30
caliber machine guns were available. Moreover, a number of SAN FRANCISCO's
officers and men were absent.
At 0755, Japanese planes began bombing dives on Ford Island, and by
0800, the surprise air attack was well underway. The men in SAN FRANCISCO
had secured the ship for water-tightness and had begun looking for
opportunities to fight back. Some crossed to NEW ORLEANS (CA-32) to man
antiaircraft batteries. Others began using available rifles and machine
guns. Fifty caliber machine gun ammunition was transferred to TRACY (DM-19)
for use.
By 1000, the Japanese had left; and work to ready SAN FRANCISCO for
action was begun.
On 14 December, the cruiser left the yard; scaling had been postponed
in favor of more necessary repairs on other ships. On 16 December, she
sortied with Task Force (TF) 14 to relieve Wake Island. The force moved west
with a Marine Corps fighter squadron on board SARATOGA (CV-3) and a Marine
battalion embarked in TANGIER (AV-8). But, when Wake fell to the Japanese on
the 23d, TF 14 was diverted to Midway which it reinforced. On the 29th, the
force returned to Pearl Harbor.
On 8 January 1942, SAN FRANCISCO again moved west. In TF 8, she
steamed toward Samoa to rendezvous with, and cover the offloading of,
transports carrying reinforcements to Tutuila. Thence it joined TF 17 for
raids on Japanese installations in the Gilberts and Marshalls. SAN FRANCISCO
arrived in the Samoan area on the 18th and, on the 24th, was detached to
continue coverage for the transports while the remainder of the task force
and TF 17 conducted offensive operations to the northwest.
On 8 February, SAN FRANCISCO departed Tutuila. On the 10th, she
rejoined CruDiv 6, then in TF 11, and set a course for an area northeast of
the Solomons to strike Rabaul. However, the American force was sighted and
attacked by two waves of twin-engined Japanese bombers. Sixteen of the
planes were destroyed, but the element of surprise had been lost. TF 11
retired eastward.
During the next few days, TF 11, centered on LEXINGTON (CV-2),
conducted operations in the South Pacific, then headed for New Guinea to
participate with TF 17 in a raid against Japanese shipping and installations.
On 7 March, one of SAN FRANCISCO's scout planes was reported missing
and could not be found.
On the night of 9 and 10 March, TF's l1 and 17 entered the Gulf of
Papua, whence, at dawn, LEXINGTON and YORKTOWN (CV-5) launched their aircraft
to cross the Owen Stanley range and attack the Japanese at Salamaua and Lae.
The next day, the missing plane was sighted by MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36) and
recovered by SAN FRANCISCO. It had landed on the water, but had been unable
to communicate. The pilot, Lt. J. A. Thomas, and the radioman RM3 O. J.
Gannan, had headed for Australia, sailing the plane backwards as it tended to
head into the prevailing east wind. In five days and 21 hours, they had
covered approximately 385 miles on a course within 5% of that intended.
SAN FRANCISCO returned to Pearl Harbor on the 26th. On 22 April, the
cruiser departed Oahu for San Francisco in the escort of convoy 4093. At the
end of May, she headed west, escorting convoy PW 2076, made up of transports
carrying the 37th Army Division, destined for Suva, and special troops
bound for Australia. The cruiser remained in the escort force as far as
Auckland; thence steamed for Hawaii, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 29 June.
SAN FRANCISCO steamed west with destroyer LAFFEY (DD-459) and seaplane
tender BALLARD (AVD-10) to escort convoy 4120 to the Fiji Islands. From
there, she got underway to rendezvous with the Solomon Islands Expeditionary
Force.
Operation "Watchtower," the Guadalcanal-Tulagi offensive, opened on the
morning of 7 August. Through that day and the remainder of the month, SAN
FRANCISCO helped to cover the American forces in the area. The flag of Rear
Admiral Norman Scott, commanding the cruisers attached to TF 18, was shifted
to SAN FRANCISCO.
On 3 September, SAN FRANCISCO's force put into Noumea, New Caledonia,
for fuel and provisions. On the 8th, the ships departed that island to cover
reinforcements moving up to Guadalcanal. On the 11th, SAN FRANCISCO's force,
TF 18, rendezvoused with TF 17, the HORNET (CV-8) group, and, the next day
both groups refueled at sea. On the 14th, the reinforcement convoy departed
the New Hebrides. TF 61 commenced covering operations with TF 17 operating
to the eastward of TF 18 and conforming to the movements of TF 18.
At about 1450, on the 15th, WASP (CV-7) was torpedoed on the starboard
side. Fires broke out on the carrier. Explosions multiplied the fires.
Rear Admiral Scott took command of TF 18. SAN FRANCISCO and SALT LAKE CITY
(CA-25) prepared to take the carrier in tow; but, by 1520, the fires were out
of control and destroyers began taking on survivors. LANSDOWNE (DD-486)
torpedoed the burning hulk. TF 18 headed for Espiritu Santo.
On the morning of 17 September, SAN FRANCISCO, JUNEAU (CL-52), and five
destroyers put back to sea to rendezvous with TF 17 and resume coverage of
reinforcement convoys. Other units of TF 18 had headed for Noumea with WASP
survivors.
On 23 September, SAN FRANCISCO, SALT LAKE CITY, BOISE (CL-47), HELENA
(CL-50), MINNEAPOLIS, CHESTER (CA-27), and Destroyer Squadron 12 became TF
64, a surface screening and attack force under the command of Rear Admiral
Scott in SAN FRANCISCO. On the 24th, the force headed to the New Hebrides.
On 7 October, TF 64 departed Espiritu Santo and moved back into the
Solomons to cover Allied reinforcements and to intercept similar operations
by the Japanese. On the 11th, at about 1615, the ships commenced a run
northward from Rennel Island, to intercept an enemy force of two cruisers
and six destroyers reported heading for Guadalcanal from the Buin-Faisi area.
The force continued north, to approach Savo Island from the southwest.
By 2330, when the ships were approximately six miles northwest of Savo,
they turned to make a further search of the area. A few minutes after
setting the new course, radar indicated unidentified ships to the west,
several thousand yards distant. At about 2345, the Battle of Cape Esperance
began.
Initial confusion caused both sides to momentarily check their fire in
fear of hitting their own ships. Then, the battle was reopened and continued
until 0020 on the 12th, when surviving Japanese ships retired toward
Shortland. Two American cruisers, SALT LAKE CITY and BOISE, and two
destroyers, DUNCAN (DD-485) and FARENHOLT (DD-491), had been damaged. Later,
DUNCAN went down. A Japanese cruiser and a destroyer had been sunk during
the surface action. Two more enemy destroyers were sunk on the 12th by
planes from Henderson Field. After the engagement, TF 64, having shown the
United States Navy to be the equal of the Imperial Japanese Navy in night
fighting, retired to Espiritu Santo.
On 15 October, SAN FRANCISCO resumed operations in
support of the Guadalcanal campaign. On the evening of the
20th, her group was ordered back to Espiritu Santo. At
2119, torpedoes were reported. CHESTER was hit amidships on
the starboard side but continued under her own power. Three
other torpedoes exploded: one off HELENA's starboard
quarter; a second between HELENA and SAN FRANCISCO; and the
third about 1,200 yards off SAN FRANCISCO's port beam. Two
others were sighted running on the surface.
SAN FRANCISCO reached Espiritu Santo on the night of
the 21st, but departed again on the 22d to intercept any
enemy surface units approaching Guadalcanal from the north
and to cover friendly reinforcements. On the 28th, Rear
Admiral Scott transferred to ATLANTA (CL-51). On the 29th,
SAN FRANCISCO returned to Espiritu Santo; and, on the 30th,
Rear Admiral D. J. Callaghan commanding officer of SAN
FRANCISCO when the United States entered the war, returned
to the ship and raised his flag as CTG 64.4 and prospective
CTF 65.
On 31 October, the newly-designated TF 65 departed
Espiritu Santo, the ships again headed into the Solomons to
cover troop landings on Guadalcanal. Bombardment missions
in the Kokumbona and Koli Point areas followed. On 6
November, the transport group completed unloading, and the
force retired, arriving at Espiritu Santo on the 8th. On
the 10th, SAN FRANCISCO, now flagship for TG 67.4, got
underway again toward Guadalcanal.
Just before noon, a Japanese twin-float reconnaissance
plane began shadowing the formation.
The force arrived off Lunga Point on the 12th, and the
transports commenced unloading. By mid-afternoon, an
approaching Japanese air group was reported. At 1318, the
ships got underway. At 1408, 21 enemy planes attacked.
At 1416, an already damaged torpedo plane dropped its
torpedo off SAN FRANCISCO's starboard quarter. The torpedo
passed alongside, but the plane crashed into SAN FRANCISCO's
control aft, swung around that structure, and plunged over
the port side into the sea. Fifteen men were killed, 29
wounded, and one missing. Control aft was demolished. The
ship's secondary command post, Battle Two, was burned out
but was reestablished by dark. The after antiaircraft
director and radar were put out of commission. Three 20
millimeter mounts were destroyed.
The wounded were transferred to attack transport
PRESIDENT JACKSON (APA-18) just before the approach of an
enemy surface force was reported. The covering force
escorted the transports out of the area, then reassembled
and returned. At about midnight, SAN FRANCISCO, in company
with one heavy cruiser, three light cruisers, and eight
destroyers, entered Lengo Channel.
At 0125 on the 13th, the enemy force was discovered
about 27,000 yards to the northwest. Rear Admiral
Callaghan's task group maneuvered to intercept. At 0148,
SAN FRANCISCO opened fire on an enemy cruiser 3,700 yards
off her starboard beam. At 0151, she trained her guns on a
small cruiser or large destroyer 3,300 yards off her
starboard bow. An enemy battleship was then sighted and
taken under fire, initial range 2,200 yards.
At about 0200, SAN FRANCISCO trained her guns on a
second battleship. At the same time, she became the target
of a cruiser off her starboard bow and of a destroyer which
had crossed her bow and was passing down her port side. The
enemy battleship joined the cruiser and the destroyer in
firing on SAN FRANCISCO, whose port 5-inch battery engaged
the destroyer but was put out of action except for one
mount. The battleship put the starboard 5-inch battery out
of commission. SAN FRANCISCO swung left while her main
battery continued to fire on the battleships which, with the
cruiser and the destroyer, continued to pound SAN FRANCISCO.
A direct hit on the navigation bridge killed or badly
wounded all officers except the communications officer.
Steering and engine control were lost and shifted to Battle
Two. Battle Two was out of commission by a direct hit from
the port side. Control was again lost.
Control was then established in the conning tower which
soon received a hit from the starboard side. Steering and
engine control were temporarily lost, then regained. All
communications were dead.
Soon thereafter, the enemy ceased firing. SAN
FRANCISCO followed suit and withdrew eastward along the
north coast of Guadalcanal.
Seventy-seven sailors, including Rear Admiral Callaghan
and Capt. Young, had been killed. One Hundred and five had
been wounded. Of seven missing, three were subsequently
rescued. The ship had taken 45 hits. Structural damage was
extensive, but not serious. No hits had been received below
the waterline. Twenty two fires had been started and
extinguished.
At about 0400, SAN FRANCISCO, all her compasses out of
commission, joined HELENA and followed her through Sealark
Channel.
At about 1000, JUNEAU's medical personnel transferred
to SAN FRANCISCO to assist in treating the numerous wounded.
An hour later, JUNEAU took a torpedo on the port side, in
the vicinity of the bridge. "The entire ship seemed to
explode in one mighty column of brown and white smoke and
flame which rose easily a thousand feet in the air. The
JUNEAU literally disintegrated." SAN FRANCISCO was hit by
several large fragments from JUNEAU. One man was hit, both
his legs were broken. Nothing was seen in the water after
the smoke lifted.
On the afternoon of 14 November, SAN FRANCISCO returned
to Espiritu Santo. For her participation in the action of
the morning of the 13th, and for that of the night of 11 and
12 October, she received the Presidential Unit Citation. On
18 November, the cruiser sailed for Noumea, and, on the 23d,
she got underway toward the United States. She reached San
Francisco on 11 December. Three days later, repairs were
begun at Mare Island.
On 26 February 1943, she got underway to return to the
South Pacific. After escorting convoy PW 2211 en route, SAN
FRANCISCO arrived at Noumea on 20 March. Five days later,
she continued on to Efate. She arrived back in the Hawaiian
Islands in mid-April; thence headed north to the Aleutians
to join the North Pacific Force, TF 16, and reached Alaska
toward the end of the month. Based at Kuluk Bay, Adak, she
operated in the Aleutians for the next four and one half
months. She patrolled the western approaches to the area,
participated in the assault and occupation of Attu in May
and of Kiska in July; and performed escort duties.
In mid-September, she was ordered back to Pearl Harbor
for repairs and reassignment to TF 14. On the 29th SAN
FRANCISCO departed Pearl Harbor in Task Unit (TU) 14.2.1 for
a raid against Wake and Wilkes Islands. On 5 October, the
group arrived off the target area and conducted two runs by
the enemy positions. On the 11th, her task unit returned to
Pearl Harbor.
On the 20th, the force arrived off Makin. SAN
FRANCISCO participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of
Betio, then patrolled outside the transport area to the west
of Makin. On the 26th, she was detached and assigned to TG
50.1, joining YORKTOWN (CV-10), LEXINGTON (CV-16), COWPENS
(CVL-25), five cruisers, and six destroyers. With that
force, she steamed toward the Marshalls to strike Japanese
shipping and installations in the Kwajalein area. On 4
December, the carriers launched their planes against the
targets. Shortly after noon, enemy aerial activity
increased, and, at 1250, SAN FRANCISCO came under attack.
Three torpedo planes closed her on the port bow. Her guns
splashed two. The third was shot down by YORKTOWN. But the
cruiser had been strafed several times. One man had been
killed; 22 were wounded. After dark, the Japanese returned
and, on that night, LEXINGTON was torpedoed. The force
moved north and west. Shortly after 0130, on the 5th, enemy
planes faded from the radar screens. On the 6th, the ships
headed back to Pearl Harbor.
On 22 January 1944, SAN FRANCISCO sortied with TF 52
and again headed for the Marshalls. On the 29th, the
division, screened by destroyers, left the formation and
moved against Japanese installations on Maloelap to
neutralize them during the conquest of Kwajalein. Following
the bombardment, the ships proceeded on to Kwajalein. SAN
FRANCISCO arrived off the atoll at about 0630 on the 31st.
At 0730, she opened fire on targets of opportunity,
initially a small ship inside Kwajalein lagoon. At 0849,
she ceased firing. At 0900, she resumed firing at targets
on Berlin and Beverly Islands. Through the day, she
continued to shell those islands, and, in late afternoon,
added Bennett Island to her targets. During the next week,
she provided pre-landing barrages and support fire for
operations against Burton, Berlin, and Beverly Islands. On
the 8th, the cruiser sailed for Majuro, whence she would
operate as a unit of TF 58, the fast carrier force.
On 12 February, SAN FRANCISCO, in TG 58.2 cleared
Majuro lagoon. Four days later, the carriers launched their
planes against Truk. On the night of 16 and 17 February,
INTREPID (CV-11) was torpedoed. SAN FRANCISCO with others,
was assigned to escort her eastward. On the 19th, the group
split: INTREPID, with two destroyers, continued toward
Pearl Harbor; SAN FRANCISCO and the remaining ships headed
for Majuro. On the 25th SAN FRANCISCO sailed for Hawaii
with TG 58.2. On 20 March, the group returned to Majuro,
refueled, and departed again on the 22d to move against the
Western Carolines. From 30 March to 1 April, carrier planes
hit the Palaus and Woleai. SAN FRANCISCO's planes flew
rescue missions.
On 6 April, the force was back in Majuro lagoon. A
week later, the ships set a course for New Guinea. From the
21st to the 28th, TG 58.2 supported the assault landings in
the Hollandia area. On the 29th, the ships moved back into
the Carolines for another raid against Truk. On the 30th,
SAN FRANCISCO was detached and with eight other cruisers,
moved against Satawan. On completion of that bombardment
mission, the cruisers rejoined TG 58.2 and headed back to
the Marshalls.
Initially at Majuro, SAN FRANCISCO shifted to Kwajalein
in early June, and, on the 10th, departed that atoll in TG
53.15, the bombardment group of the Saipan invasion force.
On the 14th, she commenced two days of shelling Tinian,
then, after the landings on Saipan, shifted to fire support
duties. On the 16th, she temporarily joined CruDiv 9 to
bombard Guam. Word of a Japanese force en route to Saipan,
however, interrupted the cannonade, and the ships returned
to Saipan.
On 17 June, SAN FRANCISCO refueled and took up station
between the approaching enemy force and the amphibious force
at Saipan. On the morning of the 19th, the Battle of the
Philippine Sea opened for SAN FRANCISCO. At about 1046, she
was straddled fore and aft by bombs. ". . . a mass of enemy
planes on the screen at 20 miles." At 1126, the cruiser
opened fire. A 40 millimeter shell from INDIANAPOLIS
(CA-35) set off SAN FRANCISCO's smoke screen generators. By
noon, quiet had returned. At 1424, dive bombers made the
last Japanese attack. By the 20th, SAN FRANCISCO steamed
westward in pursuit of the Japanese force. On the 21st, she
returned to the Saipan area and resumed operations with the
covering force for the transports. On 8 July, SAN FRANCISCO
again steamed to Guam to bombard enemy positions. During
the next four days, she shelled targets in the Agat and
Agana areas. On the 12th, she returned to Saipan,
replenished, refueled and, on the 18th, again took station
off Guam.
On that day and on the 19th and the 20th, she shelled
enemy positions, supported beach demolition units, and
provided night harassing and defense repair interdiction in
the Agat and Faci Point areas. On the 21st, she began to
support Marines assaulting the Agat beaches. On the 24th,
the cruiser shifted her fire to the Orote Peninsula.
On the 30th, she headed, via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor,
for San Francisco. The cruiser arrived back on the west
coast on 16 August for overhaul.
On October 31st, she steamed west again and, on 21
November, arrived at Ulithi where she resumed flagship
duties for CruDiv 6. On 10 December, she cleared the
anchorage and moved toward the Philippines in TG 38.1. On
the 14th and 15th, during carrier strikes against Luzon, SAN
FRANCISCO's planes were employed on antisubmarine patrol and
in rescue work. On the 16th, the force headed for a
rendezvous with TG 30.17, the replenishment force. A
typhoon interrupted the refueling operations, and, on the
17th and 18th, the ships rode out the storm. On the 19th,
she participated in a search for survivors from three
destroyers which had gone down during the typhoon.
On the 20th, TF 38 turned westward again to resume
operations against Luzon, but high seas precluded strikes.
On the 24th, the force returned to Ulithi.
Six days later, the force again sortied from Ulithi.
On 2 and 3 January 1945, strikes were conducted against
Formosa. On the 5th, 6th, and 7th, Luzon was hit. On the
9th, fighter sweeps against Formosa were resumed. The force
then headed for the Bashi Channel and a five-day, high speed
strike against enemy surface units in the South China Sea
and against installations along the coast of Indochina. On
the 15th and 16th, the Hong Kong-Amoy-Swatow area was hit;
and, on the 20th, the force passed through Luzon Strait to
resume operations against Formosa. On the 21st, aerial
opposition was constant. Bogies appeared on the screen
throughout the day. LANGLEY (CVL-27) and TICONDEROGA
(CV-14) were hit. On the 22d, strikes were launched against
the Ryukyus, and, on the 23d, the force headed for the
Western Carolines.
Arriving on 26 January, the ships sailed again on 10
February. On the 16th and 17th, strikes were conducted
against air facilities in central Honshu. On the 18th, the
force moved toward the Volcano and Bonin Islands; and, on
the 19th, covering operations for the Iwo Jima assault
began. The next day, SAN FRANCISCO closed that island with
other cruisers and assumed fire support duties, which she
continued until the 23d. Then she headed back toward Japan.
On the 25th, Tokyo was the target. Poor weather prohibited
operations against Nagoya on the 26th; and, on the 27th, the
force headed back to Ulithi.
On 21 March, SAN FRANCISCO, now attached to TF 54 for
Operation "Iceberg," departed Ulithi for the Ryukyus. On
the 25th, she approached Kerama Retto west of Okinawa, and
furnished fire support for minesweeping and underwater
demolition operations. That night, she retired and the next
morning moved back in to support the landings and supply
counter battery fire on Aka, Keruma, Zamami, and Yakabi.
By the morning of the 27th, aerial resistance had
begun. On the 28th, SAN FRANCISCO shifted to Okinawa for
shore bombardment in preparation for the assault landings
scheduled for 1 April. On that day, she took up station in
fire support sector 5, west of Naha, and for the next five
days, shelled enemy emplacements, caves, pill boxes, road
junctions, and tanks, trucks, and troop concentrations. At
night, she provided harassing fire near the beachhead.
On 6 April, the cruiser retired to Kerama Retto;
refueled and took on ammunition, assisted in splashing a
"Jill," then, rejoined TF 54 off Okinawa as that force
underwent another air raid. SAN FRANCISCO downed a "Kate."
Dawn of the 7th brought another air raid, during which a
kamikaze attempted to crash the cruiser. It was splashed 50
yards off the starboard bow. After the raid, SAN FRANCISCO
shifted to TF 51 for fire support missions on the east coast
of Okinawa, rejoining TF 54 on the west coast in late
afternoon. On the 11th, air attacks increased; and, the
next day, SAN FRANCISCO set a "Val" on fire. The plane then
glanced off a merchant ship and hit the water, enveloped in
flames.
On the 13th and 14th, the cruiser again operated with
TF 51 off the east coast of the embattled island. On the
15th, she returned to Kerama Retto, thence proceeded to
Okinawa and operations with TF 54 in the transport area.
There, she provided night illumination to detect swimmers
and suicide boats and, just before midnight, assisted in
sinking one of the latter. During the night, two further
attempts by suicide boats to close the transports were
thwarted.
With dawn, SAN FRANCISCO returned to the Naha area to
shell the airfield there. On the 17th, she moved up the
coast and fired on the Machinato air field. On the 18th,
she again shifted to the eastern side of the island and,
that night, anchored in Nakagusuku Wan. The next day, SAN
FRANCISCO supported troops in the southern part of the
island. From 21 April through 24 April, she shelled targets
in the Naha airstrip area; and got underway for Ulithi.
On 13 May, SAN FRANCISCO returned to Okinawa, arriving
in Nakagusuku Wan and resuming support activities against
targets in southern Okinawa. For the next few days, SAN
FRANCISCO supported the 96th Infantry Division in an area to
the southeast of Yunabaru. On the 20th, she shifted to
Kutaka Shima, and by the night of the 22d, she had depleted
her supply of ammunition for her main batteries. On the
25th, the Japanese launched a large air attack against
Allied shipping in Nakagusuku Wan. On the 27th, SAN
FRANCISCO provided fire support for the 77th Infantry
Division, and, on the 28th, she retired to Kerama Retto. On
the 30th, the cruiser returned to the western side of
Okinawa and, for the next two weeks, supported operations of
the 1st and 6th Marine Divisions.
On 21 June, SAN FRANCISCO was ordered to join TG 32.15,
120 miles southeast of Okinawa. A week later, she put into
Kerama Retto for a brief stay, then rejoined that group. In
early July, she provided cover for the eastern anchorage.
On the 3d, she sailed toward the Philippines to prepare for
an invasion of the Japanese home islands. The cessation of
hostilities in mid August, however, obviated that operation,
and SAN FRANCISCO prepared for occupation duty.
On 28 August, the cruiser departed Subic Bay for the
China coast. After a show of force in the Yellow Sea and
Gulf of Pohai areas, she covered minesweeping operations
and, on 8 October, anchored at Jinsen, Korea. From the 13th
to the 16th, she participated in another show of force
operation in the Gulf of Pohai area, then returned to
Jinsen, where Rear Admiral J. Wright, ComCruDiv 6, acted as
senior member of the committee for the surrender of Japanese
naval forces in Korea.
On 27 November, SAN FRANCISCO headed home. Arriving at
San Francisco in mid-December, she continued on to the east
coast in early January 1946 and arrived at Philadelphia for
inactivation on the 19th. Decommissioned on 10 February,
she was berthed with the Philadelphia Group of the Atlantic
Reserve Fleet until 1 March 1959 when her name was struck
from the Navy list. On 9 September, she was sold for
scrapping to the Union Mineral and Alloys Corp., New York.
SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) earned 17 battle stars during
World War II.
New Orleans Class
CA-Heavy Cruisers
CA-32 NEW ORLEANS
CA-36 MINNEAPOLIS
CA-37 TUSCALOOSA
CA-38 SAN FRANCISCO
Completed:
1934
Displacement (tons):
9,950 (stand)
13,000 (Mean war service)
Length (oa):
588'
Beam:
60'
Draft (max):
25'
Armament (max auth):
9 8"/55
8 5"/25 DP
6 40 mm quads
26-28 20 mm (18 on #32)
Propulsion:
Speed:
30 knots (max)
Max. Cruising radius:
3,500 miles @ 25 knots
7,600 miles @ 15 knots
Horsepower:
107,000 (shaft)
Drive:
4 screws
geared turbine
Fuel:
2,256 tons oil (max)
Aircraft:
2 SC-1
Remarks:
The NEW ORLEANS Class represents a turning point in American cruiser design development,
particularly with respects to armor and underwater protection. The light surface unit pattern
of armoring and subdivision of earlier cruisers is dropped in favor of a system more analogous
to that of modern capital ships, thus making these and all succeeding heavy cruisers comparable
to the armored cruisers of the pre-dreadnought battleship era. Every weight-saving expedient
was employed throughout the ship's structure to achieve this within the then existing rigid
treaty displacement limitations. Other innovations in these cruisers included the replacement
of heavy tripod masts by tower bridges and pole mast, and the adoption of a raked stem for the
clipper bow of earlier units. Aircraft hangers were relocated in the after superstructure and
the upper deck extended aft to the midships section. A new design turret, with separate gun ports,
was also introduced.
Structural wartime alterations centered around the bridge, resulting in the elimination of
bridge wings and conning tower, and the fitting of an open "monkey island" on the top of the bridge.
One of the two aircraft and boat handling cranes was also suppressed.
War losses included the:
CA-34 ASTORIA
CA-39 QUINCY
CA-44 VINCENNES
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