Click On Image
For Full Size Image |
Size |
Image Description |
Contributed
By And/Or Copyright |
0405620 |
546k |
Christening of the Columbia (CL 56) by Miss
Jean Adams Paschel, daughter of the Acting Mayor of Columbia, SC. |
Dale Hargrave |
0405628 |
258k |
Columbia (CL 56) sliding down the ways at her
launching. |
Dale Hargrave |
0405619 |
223k |
The 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. |
Dave Boothe |
 |
60k |
Undated WWII era overhead photo. |
USN |
0405629 |
126k |
USS Columbia likely in 1942 due to her
splotch-patterned Measure 12 camouflage. Note that war-time
censors have airbrushed out all of the ship's radars including
the gun directors.
US Navy photo #80-G-43406 now in the custody of the US National
Archives in College Park, Maryland.
|
Tracy White |
 |
73k |
Shortland Islands Bombardment, 1 November 1943. After 6"/47 gun
turrets of USS Columbia (CL 56) firing, during the night
bombardment of Japanese facilities in the Shortlands that
covered landings on Bougainville. This photograph has been
rather crudely retouched to eliminate radar antennas on gun
directors and masthead.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the
National Archives #80-G-44058.
|
Fred Weiss/National Archives |
0405627 |
76k |
USS Columbia firing on Buka Airfield, in the
Solomons on 1 November 1943. She was part of Task Force 38 (RADM
Frederick Sherman) along with USS
Montpelier (CL 57), USS
Cleveland (CL 55), USS
Denver (CL 58), and eight destroyers. |
Tommy Trampp |
 |
132k |
Bougainville Operation, November 1943. A Japanese plane plunges
into the sea ahead of USS Columbia (CL 56), as she
steams in column with other cruisers during the attack on
Bougainville, 1-2 November 1943. Note 6"/47 gun turrets, with
six-inch shell casings on deck below them.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the
National Archives #80-G-44059.
|
Fred Weiss/National Archives |
 |
60k |
As seen in 1944. (Slightly Blurred) |
USN |
0405624 |
57k |
Port side aerial view while underway, location unknown, 1944.
U.S. Navy Photo .
|
Pieter Bakels |
0405621 |
187k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) entering the floating
drydock ABSD-1
at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, January 1944.
U.S. Navy photo? from the USS Columbia (CL 56)
World War II cruise book
|
Robert Hurst |
 |
199k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) docked in ABSD
1, Jan 1944 at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
U.S. Navy photo #2170-44.
|
Darryl Baker |
0405622 |
353k |
USS Columbia (CL 56)? docked in ABSD-1
at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, January 1944.
U.S. Navy photo? from the USS Columbia (CL 56)
World War II cruise book.
|
Robert Hurst |
 |
188k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) docked in ABSD
1, Jan 1944 at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
U.S. Navy photo #2169-44.
|
Darryl Baker |
0405623 |
194k |
USS Columbia (CL 56)? docked in ABSD-1
at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, January 1944.
U.S. Navy photo? from the USS Columbia (CL 56)
World War II cruise book.
|
Robert Hurst |
 |
106k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) steaming with Task Force 77.4 in
Surigao Strait, Philippine Islands, on 3 January 1945 while en
route to the Lingayen Gulf landings. Photographed from USS
Makin Island (CVE 93). Columbia is painted
in camouflage Measure 33 Design 1d.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the
Naval Historical Center #NH 98064.
|
Fred Weiss/USNHC |
 |
90k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) Japanese "Zeke" type Kamikaze
aircraft diving on the ship during the Lingayen Gulf operation,
6 January 1945. This plane, afire from hits by the ship's guns,
crashed close aboard, showering Columbia's
superstructure with gasoline. Photo taken from USS
California (BB-44). Courtesy of John R. Henry, 1973.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 79448.
|
Fred Weiss/USNHC |
 |
40k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) Japanese Kamikaze aircraft diving
on the ship at 1729 hrs on 6 January 1945, during the Lingayen
Gulf operation. This plane hit the main deck by the after gun
turret, causing extensive damage and casualties. Photo taken
from USS California (BB-44). Courtesy of John R. Henry,
1973.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 79449.
|
Edward Cleary/USNHC |
 |
64k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) Japanese Kamikaze hits the ship at
1729 hrs on 6 January 1945, during the Lingayen Gulf operation.
The impact, on the main deck by the after gun turret, with the
resulting explosion and fire, caused extensive damage and
casualties. Photo taken from USS California (BB-44).
Courtesy of John R. Henry, 1973.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 79450.
|
Edward Cleary/USNHC |
0405617 |
464k |
Port bow aerial view while underway on 15 May 1945 off San
Pedro, CA. |
David Buell |
 |
79k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) "Plankowners" among the ship's
officers pose with her bridge wing scoreboard and life ring,
following V-J Day 1945. Courtesy of John R. Henry, 1973.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 78972.
|
USNHC |
 |
162k |
USS Columbia (CL 56) - Plaque mounted on board the ship
in memory of crewmembers killed and missing during World War II.
Sixty men are named on the plaque. Photographed in 1946.
Courtesy of John R. Henry, 1973.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph # NH 78970.
|
USNHC |
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 the Minneapolis. |
Dave Boothe |
