Heavy Cruisers: Northampton Class

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Chester pictured post her major refit at Mare Island Navy Yard on September 15th 1943.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Chicago pictured fitting out at Mare Island Navy Yard in 1931...After surviving a Midget Submarine attack at Sydney Harbour and serving in the battles of the Coral Sea and Savo Island in 1942, she was sunk by Japanese aerial torpedoes in the Battle of Rennell Island, in the Solomon Islands, on January 30th 1943..... Early in January 1943, Chicago departed San Francisco, action-bound once more. On January 27th, she sailed from Nouméa to escort a Guadalcanal convoy. On the night of the 29th, as the ships approached that bitterly contested island, Japanese aircraft attacked the force and the Battle of Rennell Island was underway. During the attacks, two burning Japanese planes silhouetted Chicago, providing enough light for further torpedo attacks; two hits caused severe flooding and loss of power. By the time the attack ended, work by the crew had checked Chicago's list. Louisville took the disabled ship in tow, and was relieved by Navajo the following morning. Fighters from the nearby carrier Enterprise provided CAP for the wounded Cruiser as she tried to make her way away from the battle area. During the afternoon, the Japanese attacked again with 20 G4M Betty bombers. She was hit by four torpedoes, one forward of the bridge and three others in her engineering spaces. The patrolling fighters downed 18 of the attacking planes, but the damage was done. Captain Ralph O. Davis gave the order to abandon ship shortly before Chicago sank stern first, 20 minutes later. Navajo and the escorting Destroyers rescued 1,049 survivors from Chicago, but 62 of her crew died.
The Japanese widely publicized the results of the engagement, claiming to have sunk two Battleships and three Cruisers. In reality they had won the engagement, but their bag was much smaller than claimed: on the USN side, Heavy Cruiser Chicago and a Destroyer, USS De Haven, were lost. The U.S. did not initially report the loss of Chicago to the public for some time, with Admiral Chester Nimitz—commander in chief of Allied Pacific forces—threatening to "shoot" any of his staff who leaked the loss to the press. Details of the battle emerged in US newspapers as early as February 16th 1943.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Louisville pictured off Mare Island Navy Yard on November 11th 1942.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Chicago pictured under construction at Mare Island Navy Yard in March 1930..After surviving a midget Submarine attack at Sydney Harbour and serving in battle at the Coral Sea and Savo Island in 1942, she was sunk by Japanese aerial torpedoes in the Battle of Rennell Island, in the Solomon Islands, on January 30th 1943. Early in January 1943, Chicago departed San Francisco, action-bound once more. On January 27th, she sailed from Nouméa to escort a Guadalcanal convoy. On the night of the 29th, as the ships approached that bitterly contested island, Japanese aircraft attacked the force and the Battle of Rennell Island was underway. During the attacks, two burning Japanese planes silhouetted Chicago, providing enough light for further torpedo attacks; two hits caused severe flooding and loss of power. By the time the attack ended, work by the crew had checked Chicago's list. Louisville took the disabled ship in tow, and was relieved by Navajo the following morning. Fighters from the nearby Carrier Enterprise provided CAP for the wounded cruiser as she tried to make her way away from the battle area. During the afternoon, the Japanese attacked again with 20 G4M 'Betty' bombers. The ship was hit by four torpedoes, one forward of the bridge and three others in her engineering spaces. The patrolling fighters downed 18 of the attacking planes, but the damage was done. Captain Ralph O. Davis gave the order to abandon ship shortly before Chicago sank stern first, 20 minutes later, Navajo and the escorting Destroyers rescued 1,049 survivors from Chicago, but 62 of her crew died.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Chester pictured off Mare Island Navy Yard on May 16th 1945.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Chicago pictured fitting out on April 12th 1930 and in Dry Dock No 2 at Mare Island Navy Yard on December 27th 1930..... She was sunk by air attack during the Battle of Rennell Island, January 30th 1943.

[Brian James]

Lead Ship, Heavy Cruiser USS Northampton pictured fitting out at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts in 1930..She was sunk during the Battle of Tassafaronga on December 1st 1942.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Louisville pictured c1938.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Houston pictured with President F.D. Roosevelt aboard on her arrival at Honolulu Harbor on August 20th 1934.

[Brian James]

Northampton Class Heavy Cruiser USS Chester pictured off Norfolk Navy Yard on July 30th 1943.