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Flag
Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Quebec - Foxtrot
(Provided by USS Houston survivor RM2c David Flynn via Donald Kehn)
Displacement 9,300 Tons, Dimensions, 600' 3" (oa) x 66' 1" x 23' (Max)
Armament 9 x 8"/55, 4 x 5"/25, 6 x 21" tt. 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 3 3/4" Belt, 2 1/2 Turrets, 1" Deck, 1 1/4 Conning Tower.
Machinery, 107,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.7 Knots, Crew 621.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 01 MAY 1928 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock
Co., Newport News, VA
Launched 07 SEP 1929
Commissioned 17 JUN 1930
Redesignated CA 30 01 JUL 1931
Fate: Sunk by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes during the Battle of
Sunda Strait, 01 MAR 1942
Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() 0403041 |
1.2m | Houston, preparing to slide down the ways on 7 September 1929 at Newport News. | William Baxter | |
![]() 0403043 |
2m | Houston (CL 30) being launched at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, on 7 September 1929. | Michael Mohl | |
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140k | Houston as launched, September 1929. Colorized photo. Collection of Texas Commandery, US Naval Order. | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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1.4m | Houston (CL 30) starboard stern, shown after launching at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, on 1 October 1929. | Michael Mohl | |
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842k | Houston (CL 30) starboard bow after launching at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, on 11 October 1929. | Michael Mohl | |
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485k | Although it is slightly dim, the picture of the flag-raising on HOUSTON at her commissioning ceremony at the Norfolk Navy Yard (location correccton by Brian Baird) on 17 June 1930 is the only one I have ever seen. On the back in green ink--such as used in an official log--is written: "When Old Glory first flew over the HOUSTON". Don Kehn, Jr. Collection | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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92k |
USS Houston (CL 30) Probably photographed in 1930, at the time of her completion. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 53586. |
USNHC | |
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120k | Undated pre-war Image. | USN | |
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11k | Undated pre-war image, (Very small) | USN | |
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17k | pre-war, seen here moored at pier. | USN | |
![]() 0403023 |
111k |
Undated photo of Houston at anchor, rigged for Dress Ship. Photo is by George Winstead |
Robert M. Cieri | |
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286k |
Port bow view while underway, date and location unknown. U.S. Navy photo. |
Ron Titus | |
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100k | USS Houston (CA 30) pre-war postcard. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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928k | USS Houston (CA 30) berth at Pearl Harbor Pre-WWII. | Darryl Baker | |
![]() 0403037 |
288k | USS Houston in the Houston Ship Channel, 20 October 1930, on her first visit to her namesake city. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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362k | Overhead view of Houston at sea, ca. early 1930s. From the Otto Schwarz Collection | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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760k | Houston at sea February 1931. From the collection of Texas Commandery, US Naval Order. USN photo #409986 |
Don Kehn | |
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760k | USS Houston (CA 30) shown at Shanghai circa 1931. | Darryl Baker | |
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101k |
USS Jason is off in the left distance as a Vought O2U-3 or O2U-4 Corsair float plane of Scouting Squadron Eleven is catapulted from USS Houston (CA 30), in Far Eastern waters, circa 1931-1932. US Navy photo # NH 94188 from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command, collection of Lieutenant Oscar W. Levy, USN (Supply Corps), (Retired). |
Robert Hurst | |
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61k |
USS Houston (CA 30) Photographed during the early or middle 1930s. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 53588. |
USNHC | |
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144k |
USS Houston (CA 30) The ship's starboard 5"/25 guns in action, during anti-aircraft battle practice off Chefoo, China, 1932-33. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 53590. |
USNHC | |
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65k |
USS Houston (CA 30) At Tsingtao, China, on 4 July 1933, "dressed overall" for the holiday. She is flying the four-star flag of Admiral Montgomery M. Taylor, Commander in Chief Asiatic Fleet, at her forepeak. Courtesy of Chief Radioman W.R. Lucas, USN (Retired), 1973. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 78368. |
USNHC | |
![]() 0403047 |
440k | Port bow view while moored, possibly at Long Beach, ca. early 1934. From the collection of Otto Schwarz. | Don Kehn Jr. | |
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94k |
11 July 1934, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was aboard the U.S. cruiser Houston as it transited the Panama Canal en route from Annapolis, Maryland, to Portland, Oregon. This was the first passage through the canal by a president of the United States while in office. Military honors were rendered at Miraflores as the warship paused before locking down to the Pacific. The Houston had embarked Roosevelt and his party at Annapolis on July 1st, proceeding to the canal via Cape Haitien, Mayaguez, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Cartagena. After a day tour at Balboa on the 12th, the president re-embarked the Houston, and the cruiser got under way at 5:30 p.m. for Portland via Cocos Island and Honolulu. While in office, President Roosevelt was to make four more visits to Panama, two aboard the Houston in 1935 and 1938 and two aboard the cruiser Tuscaloosa in 1940. The Houston, launched by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. in 1929, made her final transit of the canal in 1939. A year later the ship was posted to the Philippines as flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. Following several combat actions against the Japanese during the first few weeks of World War II, the Houston was lost in the Battle of the Java Sea in late February 1942. Having battles against far superior forces, the heavy cruiser became one of the most honored ships of the war, winning two battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Photo and narration from the book Ships of The Panama Canal, by James L. Shaw |
Michael Mohl | |
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1.1m |
USS Houston (CA 30) transits the Panama Canal with Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential party on 11 July 1934 en route from Annapolis, Maryland to Portland, Oregon. This was the first passage through the canal by a president of the United States while in office. U.S. Navy photo. This Image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 140609-N-ZZ999-004 |
Robert Hurst | |
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177k |
Off Cocoanut Island, Hilo, T.H., 25 July 1934. Photo by Tai Sing Loo. |
Robert M. Cieri | |
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40k | USS Houston entering Pearl Harbor with President Roosevelt aboard. Probably in 1934. | Steve Cardali | |
![]() 0403054 |
3.5m |
USS Houston 20 August 1934, arriving in
Honolulu Harbor, T.H. with President F.D. Roosevelt
onboard. National Archives photo #23939159 |
David Upton | |
![]() 0403022 |
151k |
Turning in Pearl Harbor, 1934. Photo by Tai Sing Loo. |
Robert M. Cieri | |
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47k | President Roosevelt speaking to Naval Cadets at Pearl Harbor. Probably in 1934. | Steve Cardali | |
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38k | USS Houston maneuvering in Pearl Harbor. Probably in 1934. | Steve Cardali | |
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59k | President Roosevelt, Secret Service agents and the Captain of USS Houston. Probably in 1934. | Steve Cardali | |
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50k | President Roosevelt and company along side of USS Houston in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Probably in 1934. | Steve Cardali | |
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119k |
USS Houston (CA 30) At anchor off San Pedro, California, 18 April 1935. A New Orleans class heavy cruiser is in the right background. Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives - 80-CF-21337-1. |
National Archives | |
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120k |
USS Houston (CA 30) off San Diego, California, in October 1935, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board. She is flying an admiral's four-star flag at her foremast peak, and the Presidential flag at her mainmast peak. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. |
USN | |
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169k |
USS Houston (CA 30) off San Diego, California, in October 1935, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board. She is flying an admiral's four-star flag at her foremast peak, and the Presidential flag at her mainmast peak. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. |
John Spivey | |
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66k | President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the USS Houston off Cocos Island, October 1935 while vacationing in the Caribbean. | Michael Mohl | |
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198k | Port bow view while steaming in the Willamette River, Portland, Oregon, August 1936. | Walter Nasmyth LST-19 | |
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652k |
The USS San Francisco (CA 38) is forward of the USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37) on the left and the USS Houston (CA 30) is forward of the USS Chicago (CA 29) at Mare Island Navy Yard between the 3rd and 5th of November 1936. U.S. Navy Photo. |
Darryl Baker | |
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949k | USS Houston (CA 30) at Mare Island on 10 September 1937. | Darryl Baker | |
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910k | USS Houston (CA 30) circa 1938 location unknown. | Darryl Baker | |
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223k | USS Houston (CA 30) in the Gatun Locks, Panama Canal, 5 August 1938, with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt bidding farewell to Panama's President F. H. Arosemena before sailing on the cruiser. Roosevelt is in the automobile just to the left of the catapult. The destroyer USS McDougal (DD 358) is in the right background. Panoramic photograph by H. L. Brazeal, FT. Davis, CZ. Donation of Captain J. A. Barker, USN (Ret), 1983. Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 95257. |
Robert Hurst | |
![]() 0403032 |
317k | Photo caption: "(Ny-14) AT SEA WITH FLEET-----AFTER THE HOUSTON "WENT DOWN "---This photo of the U.S.S. Houston, cruiser that carried President Roosevelt to the Caribbean war games, was released today by the Navy Department. Later, Admiral William D. Leahy disclosed that the Houston was theoretically sunk by an "enemy" submarine earlier in the game in the vicinity of the Virgin Islands. This photo was made from the Aircraft Carrier Lexington. (c31720) APWIREPHOTO SEE STORY" | Jonathan Eno | |
![]() 0403033 |
334k | Photo caption: "CTN-I- Charleston S.C. March 3---PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ARRIVES AT CHARLESTON------Naval officers salute their chief as he arrives aboard the cruiser Houston today after viewing the Naval war games in the Caribbean Sea." | Jonathan Eno | |
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310k | 1939, in the Panama Canal heading for the Pacific. | Bruce Constable | |
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87k | Moored in Hawaii during her time in the so-called "Hawaiian Detachment" (1939). Don Kehn, Jr. Collection via Otto Schwarz | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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138k | Departing the Lahaina Roads anchorage for her final stateside refit in 1940. She has received her upgraded MK19 directors & extra 5" guns but no tubs for 3"/50 cal or 1.1" mounts. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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104k |
The USS Houston (CA 30) is forward of USS Chicago (CA 29) on 10 September 1940 at Mare Island Navy Yard. USS Ramapo (AO 12) is berthed alongside of USS Houston and the USS William Ward Burrows (AP 6) and the YD 33 (150 ton crane) are alongside of USS Chicago. NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Navy Shipyard Ship Files |
Tracy White | |
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93k |
A view of the Mast in the Wardroom. National Archives, Seattle Branch, Record Group 181. |
Tracy White | |
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906k |
The USS Houston (CA 30) is forward of USS Chicago (CA 29) on 10 September 1940 at Mare Island Navy Yard. USS Ramapo (AO 12) is berthed alongside of USS Houston and the USS William Ward Burrows (AP 6) and theYD 33 (150 ton crane) are alongside of USS Chicago. In this picture there is a good view of the AA guns added to the Chicago's aft deck house. U.S. Navy Photo. |
Darryl Baker | |
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480k | USS Houston relieving USS Augusta (which is in the background) as Asiatic Fleet flagship, November 1940. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. | Don Kehn | |
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529k | Party for crew of USS Houston (CA 30), 23 November 1940, in the Philippines. From the Otto Schwarz Collection. | Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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92k |
USS Houston (CA 30) In Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, in 1940-41, after her final modifications. Courtesy of Robert I. Martin, 1975. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 81592. |
USNHC | |
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151k | Curtiss SOC-3 "Seagull" floatplanes sitting on the catapults. The ships band on the hanger deck. January 1942, while operating out of Darwin, Australia. | David Upton | |
![]() 0403042 |
353k |
"USS HOUSTON (CA 30) at Tjilatjap, Java, February 1942, as seen from USS MARBLEHEAD (CL 12). The damage to HOUSTON's aft gunhouse may not appear dramatic, but almost six dozen men were killed & wounded. The armored cover to her turret rangefinder has been blown off in the blast along with the outer doors. Outlines of life-rafts that were destroyed are evident in the paint atop the turret. Over 200 small fragments perforated the side of the gunhouse itself, which led to the fires which gutted the interior and killed most of the turret's gun crew. The turret was already trained out at 30 degrees when the bomb struck, and the damage froze it temporarily in that position." NARA II photo from Marblehead's Action Reports |
Robert C. Stern & Don Kehn, Jr. | |
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61k |
USS Houston (CA 30) (right center) at Darwin, Australia, probably on 15 or 18 February 1942. The destroyer astern of Houston is the USS Peary (DD 226). Among the ships in the background, to the left, are HMAS Terka and the SS Zealandia. The donor was on board HMAS Tolga, then used as a water carrier for ships in Darwin harbor. Courtesy of Arthur W. Thomas. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph - NH 43649. |
USNHC/Bruce Constable | |
![]() 0403048 |
72k |
Looking from the Australian Corvette, HMAS Warrnambool (J 202), towards the USS Houston (CA 30) (right), with the USS Peary (DD 226) along side in early February, 1942. Australian War Memorial, Photo #P05303.011 |
Mike Green | |
![]() 0403034 |
297k | Japanese propaganda postcard of the sinking of USS Houston (CA 30) in March 1942. | Arnold Putnam | |
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97k | Wartime Japanese propaganda postcard showing the bombing of Houston and Marblehead, 4 February 1942, only ID'd as an Augusta-class and Tromp-class cruiser. | Don Kehn |
Commanding Officers
|
|||
Name/Rank | Class | Final Rank | Dates |
Gay, Jesse Bishop, CAPT | 1903 | 06/17/1930 - 11/18/1930 | |
Dawes, Robert Alden, CAPT | 1904 | 11/18/1930 - 01/03/1933 | |
Baggaley, William, CAPT | 1905 | 01/03/1933 - 06/05/1934 | |
Woodson, Walter Browne, RADM | 1905 | RADM | 06/05/1934 - 06/25/1935 |
Baker, Guy Evans, CAPT | 1907 | 06/25/1935 - 07/16/1937 | |
Barker, George Nathan, CAPT | 1907 | 07/16/1937 - 05/24/1939 | |
Cogswell, Francis, CAPT | 1908 | 05/24/1939 - 09/22/1939 | |
Oldendorf, Jesse Barrett (Oley), CAPT | 1909 | ADM | 10/16/1939 - 08/30/1941 |
Rooks, Albert Harold, CAPT | 1914 | 08/30/1941 - 03/01/1942 |
(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)
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.
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