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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS MINNEAPOLIS (CA 36)


       

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Charlie - Foxtrot

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
Keel laid on 27 JUN 1931 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard
Launched 06 SEP 1933
Commissioned 19 MAY 1934
Decommissioned 10 FEB 1947
Stricken 01 MAR 1959
Fate: Sold for scrap to Union Metals and Alloys Corp 14 AUG 1959

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon - Navy China Service Medal - American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (16) - World War II Victory Medal
Third Row - Navy World War II Occupation Medal w/JAPAN Clasp - Philippine Presidential Unit Citation - Philippine Liberation Medal (3)


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Minneapolis
0403652
554kMiss Grace L. Newton of Minneapolis, MN, christining the Minneapolis on 12 August 1893. Photo was originally identified as the launching of Minneapolis Cruiser No. 13 but the error was identified by Mauro Rossini. Darryl Baker
Minneapolis
0403645
156k

Minneapolis being launched on 6 September 1933 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, George D. McDowell Collection.

Mike Green
Minneapolis
0403643
397k Caption: "OFF TO JOIN THE FLEET IN THE PACIFIC. The U.S.S. Minneapolis, new heavy cruiser, leaving the Philadelphia Navy Yard bound for San Diego, Calif., to take up its first assignment. (Associated Press)" Ron Reeves
Minneapolis
0403629
121k

Port side view at anchor, date and location unknown.

George Winstead photo.

Robert M. Cieri
Minneapolis
0403630
112k Starboard side view underway, date and location unknown. Robert M. Cieri
Minneapolis
0403631
130k

Port side view at anchor, date and location unknown.

George Winstead photo.

Robert M. Cieri
Minneapolis
0403632
76k

Undated, pre-war photo. Note that all 4 SOC seaplanes are on the catapults.

U.S. Navy photo.

Ron Titus
Minneapolis
0403601
344k

Undated, pre-war photo.

U.S. Navy photo.

Ron Titus
Minneapolis 46k Undated, late war USN
Minneapolis 95k Undated, Early war Image, Shown here (probably after Tassafaronga) covered in camouflage to avoid detection while undergoing temporary repairs. USN
New Orleans
0403223
1.8m

Very large (1.80k.b) 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
Minneapolis 60k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) Underway at sea on 25 June 1938. She is wearing an "E" award, for Engineering excellence, on her after smokestack.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 50350.

USNHC
Minneapolis 89k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) firing her 8"/55 main battery guns during battle practice, 29 March 1939. Taken from a floatplane of her embarked aviation unit, VCS-6. Note the stripes painted on the tops of her forward gun turrets.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives - 80-CF-21343-2.

National Archives/Scott Dyben
Minneapolis
0403651
193k Santa Claus arriving aboard a VCS-6 SOC Seagull, circa 1940. David Wright
Minneapolis
0403642
470k

Torpedo damage diagram of the USS Minneapolis (CA 36) from surface torpedoes explosions at Lunga Point on 30 November - 1 December 1942.

Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No. 36

Mike Green
Minneapolis 83k

Battle of Tassafaronga, 30 November 1942 - USS Minneapolis (CA 36) at Tulagi with torpedo damage received in the battle. Photograph was taken on 1 December 1942, as work began to cut away the wreckage of her bow.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-211215

National Archives
Minneapolis
0403641
401k

Minneapolis settling by the bow after a heavy vapor torch caused gas explosion on 6 December 1942 during the preparation and fabrication of the log breakwater at Tulagi. Seven feet of freeboard was lost at the bow from this explosion.

Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No. 36

Mike Green
Minneapolis 100k A jury-rigged temporary bow made of coconut logs and steel beams to get the ship out of the fighting area around Guadalcanal. USN
Minneapolis
0403638
558k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36), with a log breakwater protecting the remaining bow,leaving “Ringbolt” (Tulagi's code name) on 12 December 1942 en route to Espiritu Santo. A temporary bow will be fabricated there, to prepare the ship for the voyage to Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No. 36

Mike Green
Minneapolis
0403639
376k

Port side view of the temporary bow fabricated and fitted to the Minneapolis. The ship is preparing for the voyage to Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. The steel plates only extended about two feet below the waterline. From there down to the keel, more plates were bolted on with the aid of a 'velocity power tool'.

Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No. 36

Mike Green
Minneapolis 95k "Permanent" temporary bow rigged for the trip across the Pacific. USN
Minneapolis 74k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) En route to Pearl Harbor for repairs, circa January 1943. She had lost her bow when hit by Japanese torpedoes during the Battle of Tassafaronga, off Guadalcanal on 30 November 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-44544

National Archives
Minneapolis
0403640
184k

Minneapolis dry docked at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard 9 March 1943. The upper part of the temporary bow has been removed, with the starboard temporary steel plates still bolted and ready to be removed.

Source: Preliminary Design Branch, Bureau of Ships Navy Department, War Loss/Damage Report No. 36

Mike Green
Minneapolis
0403633
542k

Looking into the #2 fire room through the side of the ship while in drydock at Pearl Harbor. The boiler tubes are visible in the center of the picture. Photo taken 9 March 1943.

National Archives, San Francisco Branch, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence files, 1941-47

Tracy White
Minneapolis
0403634
539k

Looking into the #2 fire room through the side of the ship while in drydock at Pearl Harbor. Photo taken 9 March 1943.

National Archives, San Francisco Branch, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence files, 1941-47

Tracy White
Minneapolis
0403635
420k

Forward stack, showing distortion from the explosion in the fire room below it, which partially vented up and out of the stack. Photo taken 9 March 1943 at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

National Archives, San Francisco Branch, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence files, 1941-47

Tracy White
Minneapolis 83k At Pearl Harbor in March, 1943 being repaired after torpedo damage at the Battle of Tassafaronga on November 30, 1942. Minneapolis was flagship of TF-67 and was hit by two torpedoes; one blew her bow off, ahead of #1 turret and the other struck further aft amidships. The aft damage is hidden by scaffolding in this photo. USN
Minneapolis
0403644
236k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) dry docked at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for temporary bow inspection and torpedo damage structural repairs in March, 1943. This is a port side view looking inboard and aft abreast Nos. 1 and 2 firerooms.

US Navy Department Bureau of Ships War Damage Report No. 36, USS Minneapolis (CA36) Torpedo Damage 30 November 1943 off Lunga Point, Photo No. 21.

Mike Green
Minneapolis 71k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) At Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, Hawaii, on 11 April 1943, after being fitted with a new bow. She had lost her original bow in the Battle of Tassafaronga, off Guadalcanal on 30 November 1942. Note the New Mexico class battleship in the left distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-K-544.

National Archives
Minneapolis 76k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) Departing Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 11 April 1943, after being fitted with a new bow. She had lost her original bow in the Battle of Tassafaronga, off Guadalcanal on 30 November 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-K-541.

National Archives
Minneapolis 436k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) at Mare Island Navy Shipyard on 21 JUL 1943 undergoing overhaul and battle damage repairs.

Portion of Mare Island Photo #5293-43.

CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Ret.)
Minneapolis 308k

Aft plan view of the USS Minneapolis (CA 36) at Mare Island on 2 August 1943. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 22 April to 10 September 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #U.S. Navy Photo #6266-43..

Darryl Baker
Minneapolis 128k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, 30 August 1943, upon completion of overhaul and battle damage repairs. Note: SK-1 search radar and gunfire directors mounted atop her foremast and bridge; large false windows painted on her pilothouse, part of a camouflage scheme intended to make her look like a destroyer; Sailors pushing a cart full of battle helmets in the lower left; railway boxcars on the pier alongside the ship; lighter YF-280 in the left distance and crane vessel YD-98 at right. Circles mark recent alterations.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives - 19-N-51998.

National Archives
Minneapolis 70k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, 4 September 1943, after completion of overhaul and battle damage repairs. Note her unique camouflage scheme, intended to make her appear to be a destroyer.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives - 19-N-51995.

National Archives
Minneapolis 144k

Forward plan view of the USS Minneapolis (CA 36) off Mare Island on 4 September 1943. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 22 April to 10 September 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #6266-43.

Darryl Baker
Minneapolis 144k

Stern view of the USS Minneapolis (CA 36) off Mare Island on 4 September 1943. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 22 April to 10 September 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #6271-43.

Darryl Baker
Minneapolis
0403637
361k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, 4 September 1943, after completion of overhaul and battle damage repairs. Note her unique camouflage scheme, intended to make her appear to be a destroyer.

Mare Island Navy Yard, Photo No.6273-43

Mike Green
Minneapolis 121k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) underway on 9 November 1943. Note her unique camouflage scheme, with the cruiser painted to resemble a destroyer.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-276720.

National Archives/Scott Dyben
Minneapolis
0403613
78k

Makin Invasion, November 1943 - USS Minneapolis (CA 36) bombarding Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll, on 20 November 1943, shortly before U.S. Army forces landed there. Guns firing are from the cruiser's starboard side 5"/25 secondary battery. Note smoke rings. Simultaneous discharge of these guns indicates that they are firing under remote control.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-202518.

National Archives/Scott Dyben
Minneapolis
091902451
385k

Minneapolis refueling at sea during the raid on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. November - December 1943. The Oiler is USS Platte (AO 24). Photo taken from USS Cowpens (CVL 25)"

U.S. Navy Photo. National Archives #178141072
David Upton
Minneapolis
0403617
140k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) Refueling at sea from the oiler USS Platte (AO 24), during the Marshall Islands operation. Photographed from USS Cowpens (CVL 25). The oiler is one of the few that were fitted with a Mark 37 gun director, visible atop her bridge. Note the red navigation light on the oiler's port bridge wing.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - 80-G-K-109.

National Archives
Minneapolis 113k Shown on 1 April 1945 off Okinawa covering the landing craft heading for shore during the invasion. Note how the ship's bridge has been cut down over the war years for better air defense. USN
Minneapolis
0403647
387k

USS Minneapolis (CA 36) in Puget Sound, Washington, running trials after overhaul on 27 June 1945.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo #NH 96702

Mike Green
Minneapolis
0403649
294k
USS Minneapolis (CA 36) in Puget Sound, Washington, running trials after overhaul on 27 June 1945. Adam Lewis
Minneapolis
0403648
783k
Map of the War Cruise of Minneapolis. Adam Lewis
Minneapolis
0403650
412k
Battle stars authorized to USS Minneapolis
Adam Lewis
Minneapolis 157k Decommissioned and in mothballs right after the war the Minneapolis and her prewar sisters were overhauled "just in case" every five years until they were stricken from the navy list. The Minneapolis is shown at Keystone Ship Engineering and Drydock at Philadelphia, in the spring of 1955. Her 5" and 40mm guns are covered, for their protection. Unique with the Minneapolis is the 40mm twin atop her #2 turret. USN
Minneapolis
0403636
814k Here's another view of the Minneapolis being docked from the December, 1959 issue of Sun Ship's "Our Yard" magazine. Dave Boone
Minneapolis
0403646
60k

The ex-USS Minneapolis (CA 36) is in the process of being scrapped at Sun Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 19 January 1960. A section of the bow, seen here, has been removed, along with the superstructure.

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, George D. McDowell Collection.

Mike Green
Columbia
0405618
214k Funny how things work out. The USS Columbia was launched at New York Ship in Camden on 17 December 1941. One of the first tugs to come alongside to assist was the Meyle steam-powered tug Triton, pictured with three Curtis Bay Towing tugs.

Fast forward to 1959. After serving with distinction during WW-II, the Columbia was sold to Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Chester, PA, for scrapping. The ship was shifted from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard with the assistance of the tug Triton, now dieselized. Once again, she's there to assist, now putting the old warrior into her final berth. The hulk to the right is what is left of Minneapolis.
Dave Boothe

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Haines, Gordon Wayne, CAPT 1905   05/19/1934 - 12/05/1935
Keppler, Chester Henry John, CAPT 1907   12/05/1935 - 06/07/1937
Kimball, Lucien Frank, CAPT 1907   06/07/1937 - 12/17/1938
Hedrick, David Irvin, CAPT 1909   12/17/1938 - 09/26/1940
Lowry, Frank Jacob, CAPT 1911 VADM 09/26/1940 - 09/06/1942
Rosendahl, Charles Emerey, CAPT 1914 VADM 09/06/1942 - 07/19/1943
Bates, Richard Waller, CAPT 1915 RADM 07/19/1943 - 05/20/1944
Slocum, Harry Browning, CAPT 1919   05/20/1944 - 06/16/1945
Hudson, Roy Clare, CAPT 1921   06/16/1945 - 01/1946
Maginnis, Jack, CDR 1927   01/1946 - 03/1946
Maples, Hugh Marion, CDR 1930   03/1946 - 02/10/1947

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


USS MINNEAPOLIS (CA 36) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Mr. Glenn A. Stephens
Address: 3460 Laredo Ln, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-4258
Phone: 970-226-0714
E-mail: ca36secy@aol.com


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 Minneapolis Action Report from the Naval Historical Center.

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