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Commissioning ceremonies at New York Navy Yard. Note that the ship is still somewhat incomplete. |
22 February 1943 |
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Anchored in the Hudson River off New York City about the time of her shakedown cruise. She is wearing measure 22 camouflage. |
4 April 1943 |
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As above, a few days later. |
7 April 1943 |
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As above. Note the clean bow lacking the 20mm gun tub which will be installed in a few months. |
7 April 1943 |
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Seen on shakedown cruise blowing out soot out of the large rear stack. Note the top of one of the 5in/38cal mounts in the foreground at left and part of two of the six 40mm Bofors mounts located between the stacks. |
May 1943 |
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Bow 20mm Oerlikon mounts performing anti-aircraft practice. |
May 1943 |
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Performing anti-aircraft practice. Visible are a 20mm Oerlikon gun tub and 5in/38cal gun mounts. |
May 1943 |
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Anchored off New York Navy Yard after the post-shakedown refit. Note the aft pair of quad 40mm Bofors gun tubs mounted on the immediate stern. Also note the gentle upsweep of the bow. |
9 July 1943 |
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As above. The refit included the addition of the two new 20mm Oerlikon guns mounted in the new tub at the bow and also the new 40mm Bofors a little further aft. Notice also the small chain at the bull nose which was used to run paravanes for minesweeping. |
9 July 1943 |
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The new bow mounted 20mm Oerlikon guns installed at New York Navy Yard following post-shakedown refit. |
9 July 1943 |
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One of the (many) 20mm Oerlikon gun tubs, this one with three single mounts (seen covered here.) This tub is located alongside the forward superstructure. The pairs of boxes between the mounts contain ready service magazines. |
9 July 1943 |
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As above, this appears to be the same tub as the above image except taken from a different angle with the guns now uncovered. |
9 July 1943 |
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One of the (many also) splinter shield equipped quad 40mm Bofors guns. Note the inside of the tub contains racks for 40mm clips (four rounds per clip.) Also note the curved deflectors at the rear of the guns which deflects the spent cases in front of the mount. |
9 July 1943 |
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Rear view of Turret 3 with a quad 40mm Bofors mounted on the top with access ladders leading up to the mount. Note the turret gunhouse hatch directly under the large ladder under the rear turret overhang. Notice also the life rafts strapped to the turret sides and four floater nets mounted on the aft side of the turret. In the immediate right foreground in the image is another 40mm mount. |
9 July 1943 |
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The conning tower section seen at Boston Navy Yard after some minor refit (inlcuding the vertical strakes on the sides for wind deflection.) At the center of the image is one of the four 5in/38cal gun directors. Note the armor thickness visble at the hatch and also the direct vision slots. Note also one of the ship's bells is visible. |
November 1943 |
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As above. Note that all the types of weapons are visible here - 20mm, 40mm, 5in/38cal, and the rear of one of the 16in/50cal turrets (note the 20mm gun tub on top of this turret and the floater nets mounted there too.) |
November 1943 |
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In the Bay of Biscay. |
December 1943 |
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Underway near the Marshall Islands wearing measure 32/1B camouflage consisting of navy blue and light grey vertical sides and deck blue on all horizontal surfaces. Note the hard and feathered edges on the hull in particular, the feathered edges would be converted to hard edges later. |
January 1944 |
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As above. |
January 1944 |
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As above. |
January 1944 |
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As above. Seen here turning to starboard with sistership USS New Jersey (wearing overall navy blue measure 21 camouflage) in the background.
(Erling Hustvedt) |
24 January 1944 |
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As above. Two quad 40mm Bofors mounts are visible with USS New Jersey in the background. The two ships are now turning to port. Note the crew in battle gear. |
24 January 1944 |
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Underway in the Pacific with USS Indiana (also wearing a measure 32 camouflage design.) |
mid 1944 |
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As above. Main battery firing and judging by the gun elevation, the target is a relatively far distance. |
mid 1944 |
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An OS2U Kingfisher is launched off the starboard catapult while the port one is preparing to launch in the same direction. There is also a third on resting on a dolly on the deck. Note the many manned 20mm Oerlikons on the aft deck. |
mid 1944 |
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A nice aerial view while underway. Note the OS2U Kingfishers are not on board. |
10 June 1944 |
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A prayer service being held alongside Turret 3 before the Marianas Island operation. |
13 June 1944 |
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Outlined by the low sun in the Pacific. |
December 1944 |
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Seen entering a floating drydock at Manus Island, Ulithi Atoll. Note the three 20mm Oerlikons mounted on top of Turret 1, the other sisterships had a quad 40mm Bofors mounted here. The little circular objects on the 20mm gun tub splinter shield are helmets. Notice also the counter shading camouflage on the barrels of the 5in/38cal guns. |
27 December 1944 |
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As above, now in the drydock. |
28 December 1944 |
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Seen after a refit at Hunters Point Navy Yard. Note the new enclosed square bridge area. She is now again wearing measure 22 camouflage. |
18 March 1945 |
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As above. The OS2U Kingfisher spotter planes have been replaced with the single seat SC-1 Seahawks. |
18 March 1945 |
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Underway off the California coast on post refit trials. |
March 1945 |
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Transferring personnel from sistership USS Missouri (BB 63) (at left.) |
August 1945 |
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Post-war view while anchored in Tokyo Bay.
(Provided by Bob Colantuono) |
2 February 1946 |
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