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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS ST LOUIS (CL 49)


       

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

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - REPRISAL


CLASS - BROOKLYN (Modified Brooklyn's sometimes called St Louis class.)
Displacement 10,000 Tons, Dimensions, 608' 4" (oa) x 61' 8" x 25' 10" (Max)
Armament 15 x 6"/47, 8 x 5"/38AA, 8 x 0.5" 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 5" Belt, 6 1/2" Turrets, 2" Deck, 5" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 100,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.5 Knots, Crew 868.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 10 DEC 1936 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA
Launched 15 APR 1938
Commissioned 19 MAY 1939
Decommissioned 20 JUN 1946
Stricken 22 JAN 1951
Transfered to the Brazilian Navy and commissioned on 29 JAN 1951 as TAMANDARE.
Decommissioned 28 JUN 1976
Sold 5 AUG 1980 to Superwinton Enterprises Inc
Fate: Sunk on 24 AUG 1980 while under tow en route to Formosa (Taiwan) for scrapping.

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon - Navy Unit Commendation - Navy China Service Medal
Second Row - American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (11)
Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - Philippine Presidential Unit Citation - Philippine Liberation Medal (2)



Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
St. Louis
0404948
166k Launching of St. Louis (CL 49). Her sponsor was Miss Nancy Lee Morrill of St. Louis, MO. Dale Hargrave
St. Louis
0404949
166k St. Louis (CL 49) sliding down the shipway. Dale Hargrave
St. Louis
0404929
NR She's in the Navy now. Commissioned the other day at Norfolk, Va., here's the proud new cruiser St. Louis (CL 49) framed between guns of the New York during the commissioning ceremonies.
This concludes the deal. W.E. Bluett, Newport News ship yard production manager, receives the Navy's official acceptance order for the new cruiser from Rear Admiral Taussig. Capt. Charles H. Morrison stands by to take command.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 28 May 1939, Image 90, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
St. Louis
0404943
166k Starboard bow view while underway, date and location unknown. Tommy Trampp
St. Louis
0404901
981k

USS St Louis (CL 49) off Rockland, Maine, while on trials, 28 April 1939. Note that her 5"/38 secondary gun battery has not yet been installed.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 48998.

USNHC
St. Louis
0404947
942k

USS St Louis (CL 49) on 19 May 1939, moored at Pier 7 at the Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia. The ship is being commissioned this day, after being built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.

Norfolk Public Library (VA.), Sargeant Memorial Collection, FNL45.

Mike Green
St. Louis
0404950
NR A Foreign (U.S.) Warship in Bermuda Harbor
A foreign warship lies at anchor in Hamilton harbor, a short hundred yards from the Bermuda capital’s horse and bicycle-filled main street. It’s the friendly St. Louis (CL 49), the cruiser which earned the American Army and Navy commission to the British island for the purpose of selecting site of new U. S defense base under recent agreement made with Great Britan.
Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC.
Photo from The Wilmington Morning Star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 13 September 1940, Image 12, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
St. Louis 72k

USS St Louis (CL 49) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, on 4 June 1941. She is wearing Measure 5 (false bow wave) camouflage.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 80564.

USNHC
St. Louis
0404934
76k

USS St Louis (CL 49) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, on 4 June 1941. She is wearing Measure 5 (false bow wave) camouflage.

Photograph #1145-41 from the collections of NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ships Files

Tracy White
St. Louis 88k

USS St Louis (CL 49) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 March 1942. The last of the Brooklyn class, the St Louis and USS Helena (CL 50) were sometimes considered a separate class. They differed from the rest of the class in that they carried four enclosed twin 5"/38 mounts and the after superstructure was just aft of the rear stack.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-28229.

National Archives
St. Louis
0404935
158k

Port quarter view taken at Mare Island Navy Yard, 6 March 1942.

USN Photo.

David Buell
St. Louis
0404930
341k

Forward plan view of USS St Louis (CL 49) at Mare Island on 6 March 1942. USS Conyngham (DD 371) is visible in the upper left corner.

Navy Photo #1195-3-42.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis
0404931

379k

After plan view of USS St Louis (CL 49) at Mare Island on 6 March 1942. Destroyers are from left to right are: USS Conyngham (DD 371) and USS Selfridge (DD 357). USS Tinosa (SS 283) and USS Tullibee (SS 284) are on the building ways to the right of Selfridge.

Navy Photo #1197-3-42

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 88k

USS St Louis (CL 49) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 28 November 1942. USS Chicago (CA 30) and the barge YF-388 are in the left background. Note supplies piled on St Louis' foredeck. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-38383.

National Archives
St. Louis
0404932
242k

Forward port bow view of USS St Louis (CL 49) off Mare Island on 30 November 1942. She was under repair at the yard from 31 October to 30 November 1942.

U.S. Navy Photo #7369-11-42

Darryl Baker
St. Louis
0404933
232k

Port broadside of USS St Louis (CL 49) off Mare Island on 30 November 1942.

U.S. Navy Photo #7370-11-42,

Darryl Baker
Honolulu
0404878
50k

U.S. Navy ships of Task Force 18 in Tulagi Harbour, Solomon Islands, shortly before departing hurriedly to avoid the large-scale Japanese air attack that marked the beginning of the "I" Operation, 7 April 1943. USS Aaron Ward (DD 483) is partially visible at left. She was fatally damaged in this air attack and sank near Tulagi during salvage attempts. The light cruiser in the center is USS Honolulu (CL 48). USS Saint Louis (CL 49) is behind her, to the right, with a Fletcher-class destroyer beyond. Photographed from USS Fletcher (DD 445).

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 97810.

Robert Hurst
St. Louis 3.4m

USS St Louis (CL 49) departing Tulagi, Solomon Islands, at 1115 on 12 July 1943, after refueling from USS Lakawanna (AO 40). Later, on 12 July 1943, TF 18 departed for what would become the Battle of Kolombangara on 13 July 1943, when USS St Louis would be torpedoed. The image was taken from the deck of USS Nicholas (DD 449), YO-144 can be seen alongside USS Lackawanna. (Caption information provided by Rick E. Davis)

Official USN Photo 80-GK-3971 now at NARA, College Park, MD

Original Submission - Scott Dyben
Updated photo - Rick E. Davis
St. Louis 209k

Ship's photo of the starboard side of the USS St Louis (CL 49) showing her damaged bow in July 1943 at Espirito Santo.

U.S. Navy Photo #6259-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 160k

Ship's photo of the crack at frame 20 on the starboard side of the USS St Louis (CL 49) in July 1943 at Espirito Santo.

U.S. Navy Photo #6260-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 232k

Ship's photo of the port side of the USS St Louis (CL 49) showing her damaged bow in July 1943 at Espirito Santo.

U.S. Navy Photo #6261-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 235k

Ship's photo of the buckled bow deck plates of the USS St Louis (CL 49) location unknown.

U.S. Navy Photo #6262-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 96k

Battle of Kolombangara, 13 July 1943 - Bow of USS St Louis (CL 49), showing torpedo damage received during the Battle of Kolombangara. Photographed while the ship was under repair at Tulagi on 20 July 1943. USS Vestal (AR 4) is alongside.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives #80-G-259410.

Scott Dyben/National Archives
St. Louis 142k

Photo of the damaged bow of the USS St Louis (CL 49) upon her arrival at Mare Island for repairs on 17 August 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #5911-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis
0404937
315k

Elevated view looking aft from the bow showing the damage sustained from a torpedo hit during the Battle of Kolombangara. Photo taken 19 August 1943 at Mare Island.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Tracy White
St. Louis
0404938
362k

Elevated view looking forward showing the damage sustained from a torpedo hit during the Battle of Kolombangara. Photo taken 19 August 1943 at Mare Island.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Tracy White
St. Louis 150k USS St Louis (CL 49) has guns removed from her forward 6"/47 turrets, during overhaul and battle damage repairs at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, circa September 1943. The upper section of her midships searchlight platform is hanging from a crane in the immediate background. It was removed to reduce the ship's topside weights. Note men in colored "hard hats" in the foreground.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-15536.

National Archives
St. Louis 204k

Photo of the starboard side of the USS St Louis (CL 49) showing repaired/new bow. The photo was taken in dry dock #3 at Mare Island Navy Yard on 1 Oct 1943. She was in dry dock from 20 August to 6 October 1943 and in overhaul from 17 August to 29 October 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #6848-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 212k

Photo of the port side of the USS St Louis (CL 49) showing repaired/new bow. The photo was taken in dry dock #3 at Mare Island Navy Yard on 1 Oct 1943. She was in dry dock from 20 August to 6 October 1943 and in overhaul from 17 August to 29 October 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #6849-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 104k

Bow on view of the USS St Louis (CL 49) departing Mare Island on 16 October 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #7151-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 106k

Stern view of the USS St Louis (CL 49) departing Mare Island on 16 October 1943.

U.S. Navy Photo #7155-43.

Darryl Baker
St. Louis 96k USS St Louis (CL 49) Bombarding Japanese positions on Guam, 21 July 1944. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 2c.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-16463.

Tracy White
St. Louis 98k

USS St Louis (CL 49) off San Pedro, California, on 5 October 1944. Her camouflage is Measure 32, Design 2c.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-72219.

National Archives
St. Louis 103k USS St Louis (CL 49) off San Pedro, California, on 5 October 1944. Again an excellent image showing detail, Note the hanger door is open. USN
Honolulu
0404940
270k

As seen from the USS Honolulu (CL 48), the USS St Louis (CL 49) unleashes her batteries during a bombardment of the Shortland Islands in November,1943.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 2012.055.011

Robert Hurst
St. Louis 104k

USS St Louis (CL 49) is hit aft by a Kamikaze suicide plane, while off Leyte on 27 November 1944. Photographed from USS West Virginia (BB 48). Note anti-aircraft shell bursts at left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives #80-G-273003.

Scott Dyben/National Archives
St. Louis 121k

USS St Louis (CL 49) Crewmen fight fires in the cruiser's hangar, after she was hit by a "Kamikaze" off Leyte on 27 November 1944. Note wrecked SOC floatplane in the left background, and hangar hatch cover thrown atop the port catapult, at right.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Fred Weiss/National Archives
Brazilian Navy TAMANDARE (C12)
(1951 - 1976)
St. Louis 103k C12 Tamandar? (ex- USS St Louis) of the Brazilian Navy, date unknown. Artemio Bueno Rosa, Jr.
St. Louis 35k Starboard bow view of C12 Tamandar? while underway in Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro). Sugar Loaf is visible behind her. LT-MD Amadeu Zullino, Brazilian Navy (Ret.)
St. Louis
0404939
189k Tamandaré, at sea with an escort of former USN Fletcher Class DDs, from Top:

Pernambuco (D30)
Paraná (D29)
Tamandaré (C12)
Pará (D27)
Paraíba (D28)
Mike Hibbard
St. Louis
0404944
146k

Port quarter view of the Brazilian cruiser Almirante Tamandare ( C 12) departing San Juan, Puerto Rico probably during 1971. Courtesy of Robert Varrill & Orlando Gallardo, 1977

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo #NH 85261

Mike Green
St. Louis
0404945
197k

Brazilian cruiser Almirante Tamandare ( C 12) underway, twenty to thirty miles off Fort Story, Virginia, 5 March 1952, shortly after she was commissioned by the Brazilian Navy.

United States National Archives, Photo #80-G-440057

Mike Green
St. Louis
0404946
185k

Starboard quarter view of the Brazilian cruiser Almirante Tamandare (C 12) underway, twenty to thirty miles off Fort Story, Virginia, 5 March 1952, shortly after she was commissioned by the Brazilian Navy.

United States National Archives, Photo #80-G-440058

Mike Green
St. Louis
0404942
132k C12 Tamandaré (ex- USS St Louis) being escorted by 3 Westland Whirlwind (possibly the HAR3) in the harbor channel Santos city, in São Paulo in the middle 60s. The choppers accompanying the ship were three Westland Whirlwind S-55 of a lot incorporated to Brazilian Navy in 1962.
The cruiser Tamandar was decommissioned on June 28th 1976 and after the removing of all her guns, in Rio de Janeiro Navy's Arsenal, she was towed to Santos to wait for sell to scrap yard. Coincidentally, she remained anchored at the pier locate in the background at right in the photo, till 1980, when, after striped of all valuable metals and parts, her hull was sold to a shipbreaker in Panama and lost in Atlantic Ocean due to a gale.
Text by Laercio F. Oliveira
Photo by Ron Reeves
St. Louis
0404941
34k

The cruiser Tamandare (C12) underway in 1971, location unknown.

Brazilian Navy, Official

Robert Hurst

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Final Rank Dates
Morrison, Charles Henry, CAPT   05/19/1939 -
Rood, George Arthur, CAPT RADM 1941 - 1942
Campbell, Colin, CAPT   1942 - 1943
Roberts, Ralph Henry, CAPT   1943 - 1944
Griggs Jr., John Bradford, CAPT (19) RADM 01/03/1945 - 04/06/1946
Smith, Andrew Jackson, CDR (31)   06/04/1946 - 06/20/1946

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


USS ST LOUIS (CL 49) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name:Swede Newman
Address:
Phone:
E-mail: swede_newman@yahoo.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.
USS St Louis CL 49 Association website By Jack Jones.
Pearl Harbor Attack - USS St Louis Action Report from the Naval History and Heritage Command.

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