World War 2 In Review: USS Chester CA-27

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) at anchor in Hampton Roads, Virginia, November 1930.

USS Chester (CL/CA-27), a Northampton-class cruiser, was the second ship of the United States Navy named after the city of Chester, Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco, California, on 6 August 1942, following her first wartime overhaul.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco, California, on 2 October 1943. She was in overhaul following torpedo damage at the shipyard from 15 September until 2 October 1943.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, after torpedo damage repairs and overhaul, 2 October 1943.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off San Francisco, California, following an overhaul, circa late May 1944. She wears camouflage measure 32, design 9d.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco, California, on 16 May 1945, following her last wartime overhaul. The foremast was cut down and reduced to save top weight, and the mainmast was moved forward and mounted around the aft smoke stack in 1945.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) being towed away from the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on her way to be scrapped, circa 1959.

USS Chester (CA-27), pre-war, undated.

USS Chester (CA-27), undated.

USS Chester (CA-27), late war, undated.

USS Chester (CA-27), pre-war, location unknown.

USS Chester (CA-27) fitting out at New York Shipbuilding, Camden, New Jersey, in March or April 1930. USS Salt Lake City (CL-25) is at the top of the picture.

USS Chester (CA-27) running trials, 1930.

USS Chester (CA-27) at anchor in Naples, Italy, during her shakedown cruise in 1930.

USS Chester (CA-27), July 1931.

USS Chester (CA-27), at left with other ships of Cruiser Division FOUR, in Panama Bay on 21 April 1934, at about the time of Fleet Problem XV. Ships in column behind Chester are USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), USS Pensacola (CA-24) and the Division flagship, USS Northampton (CA-26).

USS Chester (CA-27) steaming in the Willamette River, Portland, Oregon, August 1936.

USS Chester (CA-27) approaches the pier at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while preparing to dock, 27 November 1936. At right, already tied up, is USS Indianapolis (CA-35), which was carrying President Roosevelt. Note the crowds awaiting the President, who was making his first stop during the “Good Neighbor” cruise.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships Guide (ex-Flamingo, AM-32) and Discoverer (ex-Auk, AM-38). Taking on fuel from USS Chester (CA-27) at Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island, Alaska, 4 July 1939.

Marshalls Islands Raid, 1 February 1942. Lieutenant Wilson R. Bartlett, Senior Aviator of USS Chester (CA-27), walks forward on the cruiser’s well deck to make his report, after returning from a flight spotting gunfire for the ship’s bombardment of Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll. In the background is damage from the bomb hit sustained during a Japanese air attack at 0820 hrs. Also visible are the port wingtips of one of a SOC Seagull aircraft, with the open hangar beyond. The ship’s port catapult silo is at right, dented by the bomb’s blast. Note the pilot’s uniform, “Mae West” life vest, binoculars and plotting board.

Photos of bomb damage received on 1 February 1942 after the raid on Taroa. Retiring under heavy air attack she received a bomb hit in the well deck which killed eight and injured 38. Original caption “Close-up of air intake to after engine room, showing fragment damage. Screens were blown away and have been replaced. Note holes in the edges of the hangar doors. Holes behind the ladder are plugged with wood.”

Photos of bomb damage received on 1 February 1942 after the raid on Taroa. Retiring under heavy air attack she received a bomb hit in the well deck which killed eight and injured 38. Original caption “No. 2 boiler room blower intake trunk, frame 65, looking forward and to starboard. A few fragments hit the stack, and a hole can be seen in the pontoon overhead. The 7-1/2 lb. plating of the trunk was dished in 3 inches. The umbrella plating was blown loose, and was removed before this picture was taken.”

USS Chester (CA-27), 1 February 1942. Hit by 134 lb. bomb on main deck at frame 68 port. Time of hit 0820 Zone -12. View from Signal Bridge looking aft 44 ft. above and 60 ft. forward of hit. Time of photograph about 20 minutes after hit. Fire has been extinguished but no repair work has been done.

USS Chester (CA-27), 1 February 1942. Hit by 134 lb. bomb on main deck at frame 68 port. Time of hit 0820 Zone -12. View from 4 ft above main deck looking 270 relative. Time of photograph about 40 minutes after hit. No structural repairs have been completed. Men in foreground are revving a new whip to the airplane crane.

USS Chester, 1 February 1942. Hit by 134 lb. bomb on main deck at frame 68 port. Time of hit 0820 Zone -12. View from 4 ft above main deck looking 225 relative. Time of photograph about 1 hour after hit. Wood deck has been partially cut away preparatory to welding patch over hole.

USS Chester, 1 February 1942. Hit by 134 lb. bomb on main deck at frame 68 port. Time of hit 0820 Zone -12. View from 4 ft. above main deck looking 315 relative. Time of photograph about one hour after hit. Wood deck has been partially cut away preparatory to welding patch over hole.

USS Chester (CA-27), 20mm guns port and starboard on communication platform, navigating bridge and machine gun platform, looking aft from bow, 26 February 1942.

USS Chester (CA-27), 20mm installation, looking forward from frame 143 on main deck. Note guns on main mast on hood over searchlight control and on searchlight platform, 26 February 1942.