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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS NEW ORLEANS (CL/CA 32)


     

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Bravo - Juliet

CLASS - NEW ORLEANS
Displacement 9,950 Tons, Dimensions, 588' 0" (oa) x 61' 9" x 22' 6" (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 8 x 5"/25, 8 x 0.5" 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 5" Belt, 8" Turrets, 2 1/4" Deck, 5" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 107,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.0 Knots, Crew 800.
Operational and Building Data
Authorized 13 FEB 1929
Laid down 14 MAR 1931 by the New York Navy Yard
Launched 12 APR 1933
Commissioned 15 FEB 1934
Decommissioned 10 FEB 1947
Stricken 01 MAR 1959
Fate: Sold for scrap 22 SEP 1959 to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, MD

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon
Second Row - Navy China Service Medal - American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (17) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy World War II Occupation Medal w/ASIA Clasp


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
New Orleans
0403221
NR WORK ON NEW CRUISER
Rear Adm. Louis R. DeSteiguer, who is soon to retire from the Navy, started work officially on the treaty cruiser New Orleans, by riveting the first spike of the keel laying ceremony at Brooklyn navy yard. At left is Ernest Lee Jahncke, assistant secretary of tbs navy.
Image and text provided by University of North Texas; Denton, TX.
Photo from Brownsville Herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 22 March 1931, EARLY SUNDAY EDITION, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
New Orleans
0403244
64k Ships sponsor, Miss Cora S. Jahncke, daughter of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Ernest L Jahncke. Shawn C.
New Orleans
0403243
57k Launching ceremony on 12 April 1933, New York Navy Yard. Shawn C.
New Orleans
0403245
67k New Orleans, sliding down the ways on 12 April 1933. Shawn C.
New Orleans
0403240
131k USS New Orleans commissioning Ceremony. Shawn C.
New Orleans
0403241
117k USS New Orleans commissioning Ceremony. Shawn C.
New Orleans
0403242
128k USS New Orleans commissioning Ceremony. Shawn C.
New Orleans
0403222
357k

Undated pre-war photo of USS New Orleans (CA 32).

George Winstead collection.

Robert M. Cieri
New Orleans
0403224
610k Undated pre-war photo of USS New Orleans (CA 32) passing under St. Johns bridge in Portland, Oregon. Robert M. Cieri
New Orleans
0403225
499k Undated pre-war photo of USS New Orleans (CA 32) passing through Burnside drawbridge in Portland, Oregon. Robert M. Cieri
New Orleans
0403223
124k

USS New Orleans (CA 32) In English waters, about June 1934. Photographed by Wright & Logan, Southsea, England. Donation of Captain Joseph Finnegan, USN (Retired), 1970.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - Photo #: NH 71787.

Robert M. Cieri
New Orleans
014548
1.8m

1936 photo of Battleship Row, Pearl Harbor. Among the ships in the harbor are: Front and center a Northampton class CA, most likely the Chester (CA 27).
The two New Orleans (CA 32) class cruisers on the far left are the Minneapolis (CA 36) nearer the camera with New Orleans (CA 32) behind. Both have the curved-faced turrets, limiting them to the CA-32/34/36 group. Within that group, only New Orleans lacked the glassed-in navigation bridge (below the pilothouse), and minor superstructure variations point to the other being Minneapolis rather than Astoria(CA 34).
The battleships from left to right: Colorado (BB 45), or West Virginia (BB 48), outboard of Idaho (BB 42), Nevada (BB 36), outboard of Mississippi (BB 41), New Mexico (BB 40), outboard of Maryland (BB 46) or California (BB 44).
On the far right is the Hospital ship Relief (AH 1) with two unidentified ships ahead and to her port side.

Text courtesy of David Johnston, (USNR), Aryeh Wetherhorn (USNR) & Richard Jensen. Photo courtesy of Edward Cwalinski.

Barry Litchfield
New Orleans 109k Bow view while in Drydock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1936 (caption updated by Art Cappabianca). James McGrew
New Orleans 77k Starboard Bow view while in Drydock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1936. 1st Div is scrubbing down the Starboard bow section. 2nd Div crew is doing the port side (caption updated by Art Cappabianca). James McGrew
New Orleans 45k Starboard side view, 1937. James McGrew
New Orleans 81k Starboard bow view. WWII era image. Jerry Mason
New Orleans 39k USS New Orleans (CA 32) underway during exercises in Hawaiian waters, 8 July 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives #80-G-10115.

National Archives
New Orleans 136k Seen here at Espiritu Santo in November, 1942. The USS Minneapolis (CA 36) is in the background USN
New Orleans
0403237
495k

Damage, Fire and Flooding Diagram for the USS New Orleans (CA 32) during action on 30 November 1942 off Lunga Point.

Source: Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No.38.

Mike Green
New Orleans
0403238
521k

Forward Magazine Arrangement Diagram for the USS New Orleans (CA 32) during action on 30 November 1942 off Lunga Point.

Source: Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No.38.

Mike Green
New Orleans
0403229
391k

Port bow view as she entered Tulagi harbor about 8 hours after being struck by a torpedo, 1 December 1942.

U.S. Navy photo from the collection of Fred Overman family.

Henry A. Wristen,
FTCS(DV) USN (Ret.)
New Orleans 102k

Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, New South Wales. 29 December 1942. Bow view of the heavy cruiser USS New Orleans alongside the Sutherland wharf. She lost 150 feet of her bow, including Turret #1, from torpedo damage sustained at the Battle of Tassafaronga. The torpedo caused her forward small arms and aircraft bomb magazines to explode.

Naval Historical Collection - Australian War Memorial

USN
New Orleans 104k USS New Orleans (CA 32) camouflaged at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, some days after she was torpedoed during the Battle of Tassafaronga on 30 November 1942. Note that her stern is riding high, and that her forward end is low in the water. The torpedo and subsequent explosion had severed her bow between # 1 and # 2 eight-inch gun turrets.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives #80-G-216014.

National Archives
New Orleans 62k

Seen here after the Battle of Tassafaronga. The USS Maury (DD 401) is inboard of her. The PT boat in the foreground is carrying survivors from the USS Northampton (CA 26). From the collection of Rick Davis

USN Photo 80-G-378087

Richard Jensen
New Orleans
0403239
78k

USS New Orleans (CA 32) at Cockatoo Island Dockyard at Sydney, NSW in February, 1943. A prefabricated temporary bow is being fitted to allow the ship to return to mainland United States for permanent repairs. The New Orleans lost ~150 feet of her bow from a torpedo hit during the Battle of Tassafaronga on 30 November 1942.

Australian War Memorial, Photo No.305929

Mike Green
New Orleans 83k Patched up in Australia, she is heading home for a new bow and permanent repairs. In order to balance the ship, the barrels were removed from #2 turret and stored at the stern. USN
New Orleans
0403235
38k

USS New Orleans (CA 32) underway from Sydney, Australia, to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington, in March 1943. New Orleans received a temporary bow after a Japanese torpedo tore off the bow up to the No. 2 turret during the Battle of Tassafaronga on 30 November 1942.

Photo - Australian armed forces. The image is available from the Collection Database of the Australian War Memorial under the ID Number: 305934

Robert Hurst
New Orleans
0403226
125k

"Composite photograph showing flat keel bent under at frame 31, second longitudinal cut at frame 31, third longitudinal cut at frame 34 1/2, wrecked oil tanks A-504-F and A-505-F, and wrecked bulkheads at frame 36."

National Archives, Seattle Branch, Record Group 181..

Tracy White
New Orleans
0403227
76k

"Showing starboard side forward below second deck, A-415-M side armor (note lamination), wrecked storeroom A-413-A, wrecked oil tank A-505-F, ballistic plate cut at frame 43."

National Archives, Seattle Branch, Record Group 181..

Tracy White
New Orleans
0403228
80k

"Showing wrecked oil tank A-506-F, side armor of A-416-M, wrecked storeroom A-414-A."

National Archives, Seattle Branch, Record Group 181.

Tracy White
New Orleans 60k

A replacement bow being built at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. From the Pictorial History of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

National Archives.

National Archives/Tracy White
New Orleans
0403202
161k This photo was taken after the bow was replaced in Bremerton, Washington, and the Searchlight Platform between the stacks was modified to install gun mounts, so it dates to after July 1943. Please compare that photo with the photo 80-G-10115, taken on 8 July 1942. The Searchlight Tower in changed, the Sky-forward deck and the bridge configuration was changed, and a 20MM mount was placed on the bow ahead of Turret I. This gun mount was the general quarters station for Henry Wenk, GM3 who was lost at sea during the raid on Hollandia. A friendly aircraft took off from one of the carriers, clipped the very top of the mast, crashed on the forward end of the bow, and took Henry Wenk with it. He was Lost-at-Sea. Caption updated by Henry A. Wristen, FTCS(DV) USN Ret. USN
New Orleans
0403236
81k

USS New Orleans (CA 32) steams through a tight turn in Elliot Bay, Washington, on 30 July 1943, following battle damage repairs and overhaul at the Puget Sound Navy Yard.

Official U.S. Navy photograph from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 94847.

Robert Hurst

New Orleans
0403246
129k

USS New Orleans (CA 32) off of the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, following battle damage repairs and overhaul, 5 August 1943.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo #NH 97848

Mike Green

New Orleans
0403248
95k Crew photograph from the WWII era, sometime after July 1943. In the second row from the top, second in from the right (white hat and unbuttoned shirt), is the contributors Grandfather, QM1 John Sullivan. Given his rate, this is probably a photogragh of the Navagation Department. David Sullivan
New Orleans
0403247
182k

USS New Orleans (CA 32), and other units of Cruiser Division Six bombard Saipan on 14-15 June 1944. Beyond is USS St. Louis (CL 49).

United States National Archives, Photo #80-G-K-1774

Mike Green

New Orleans 115k

USS Salt Lake City (CA 25), USS Pensacola (CA 24) and USS New Orleans (CA 32) (listed from left to right) Nested together at Pearl Harbor, 31 October 1943. Ford Island is at the left, with USS Oklahoma (BB 37) under salvage at the extreme left, just beyond Salt Lake City's forward superstructure. Note the radar antennas, gun directors and eight-inch guns on these three heavy cruisers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-264236.

Scott Dyben
New Orleans
0403231
2.3m USS New Orleans (CA 32) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 8 March 1945. The city of Vallejo is in the background. Note the ship's welded bow structure (forward of her second 8"/55 triple gun turret). This replaced her original riveted-construction bow, which as lost during the Battle of Tassafaronga at the end of November 1942. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives - Photo #: 19-N-80232.

USNHC
New Orleans
0403232
2m View of the ship's midships area, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 8 March 1945. The city of Vallejo is in the background and the floating crane YD-98 is at left. Note the ship's radar antennas, gun directors, 5"/25 guns and smokestacks. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives - Photo #: 19-N-80233.

USNHC
New Orleans
0403233
2.1m View of the ship from amidships to the stern, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 8 March 1945. The city of Vallejo is in the background, with Pacific Gas & Electric Company fuel storage tanks at right. The ship has had her port aircraft catapult and starboard crane removed. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship. Note: men lined up in the hangar and well deck, probably for a meal; provisions stacked in crates on the after deck; "Classic Cleaners" delivery van and human activity on the pier.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives - Photo #: 19-N-80234.

USNHC
New Orleans 174k

Bow on view of USS New Orleans (CA 32) off Mare Island on 8 Mar 1945. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 11 Jan until 21 Mar 1945.

U.S. Navy Photo #1723-45.

Darryl Baker
New Orleans 184k

Stern view of USS New Orleans (CA 32) departing Mare Island on 8 Mar 1945.

U.S. Navy Photo #1728-45.

Darryl Baker
New Orleans
0403234
71k

USS New Orleans (CA 32) off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, 8 March 1945, following her last wartime overhaul. The port catapult has been removed.

Official U.S. Navy photograph from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # 19-N-80227

Robert Hurst

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Reed, Allen Bevins, CAPT 1904   02/15/1934 - 08/31/1935
Manley, Matthias Evans, CAPT 1906   08/31/1935 - 01/25/1936
Earle, John Bayliss, CAPT 1907   01/25/1936 - 07/25/1937
Beauregard, Augustin Toutant, CAPT RADM 07/25/1937 - 12/19/1938
Purnell, William Reynolds, CAPT 1908 RADM 12/19/1938 - 12/02/1939
Bumett, Henry Poynter, CDR 1909 RADM 12/02/1939 - 12/09/1939
Gray, Augustine Heard, CAPT 1910 RADM 12/09/1939 - 08/10/1941
Atkins, James George, CDR 1919 RADM 08/10/1941 - 08/22/1941
Good, Howard Harrison, CAPT 1912 VADM 08/22/1941 - 06/18/1942
DeLany, Walter Stanley, CAPT 1916 VADM 06/18/1942 - 11/02/1942
Roper, Clifford Harris, CAPT 1916 RADM 11/02/1942 - 04/14/1943
Davis, Ralph Otis, CAPT 1914 RADM 04/14/1943 - 07/04/1943
Shumaker, Samuel Robert, CAPT 1915   07/04/1943 - 05/19/1944
Kane, John Dandridge Henley, CAPT 1918   05/19/1944 - 06/08/1944
Hurff, Jack Ellett, CAPT 1920 RADM 06/08/1944 - 08/06/1945
Erck, Charles Frederick, CAPT 1921   08/06/1945 - 06/05/1946
Norris Jr., Charles Rutter, CDR 1938   06/05/1946 - 06/21/1946
Yarnall, William King, LCDR 1939   06/21/1946 - 02/10/1947

(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves, & Hank Wristen - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)


USS NEW ORLEANS (CL/CA 32) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Mr. Edward Sowman
Address: 936 Santiago Ave Long Beach, CA, 90804-4403
Phone: 562-597-4558
E-mail: None


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Pearl Harbor Attack - USS New Orleans Action Report from the Naval History and Heritage Command.
USS New Orleans (CA32) Torpedo Damage - Lugna Point 20 November 1942 from the Naval History and Heritage Command.

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