Heavy Cruisers: New Orleans Class

[Brian James]

Lead Ship, Heavy Cruiser USS New Orleans pictured at Puget Sound Navy Yard.......On November 30th, 1942, USS New Orleans was hit by a torpedo off Guadalcanal. Her entire bow was torn away.
The ship struggled to stay afloat, and limped back to Guadalcanal for temporary repairs, which reportedly involved a new bow fashioned of palm tree logs. After stopping in Sydney, for further repairs, New Orleans made her way to Bremerton. Because of her condition, she had to make the journey while sailing backwards.
By the time she arrived in Bremerton, a new bow had already been built for her using plans from her sister ship, USS Astoria (which had coincidentally been built here in Bremerton in the 1930s). When New Orleans arrived at the shipyard, it was discovered that the new bow was out of line by just one-eighth of an inch -- truly an amazing feat given the giant scale of the warship! Soon USS New Orleans was able to return to the fleet.

[Brian James]

New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser USS Minneapolis pictured in 1934.

[Brian James]

Lead Ship, Heavy Cruiser USS New Orleans (centre) pictured with Swedish Coastal Defence Ships HSwMS Gustav V and HSwMS Sverige at Stockholm in May 1934.

[Brian James]

New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser USS Minneapolis pictured on entry to Helsinki in 1934.

[Brian James]

New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser USS Vincennes pictured on sea trials off Rockland, Maine on January 12th 1937...She was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island on August 9th 1942.