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| USS Chester (CA-27). (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-14418) |
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.
Construction and Commissioning
Chester was launched on 3 July 1929 by New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey; sponsored by Miss J. T. Blain; commissioned on 24 June 1930, Captain Arthur Fairfield in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.
Inter-war Period
Chester cleared Newport, Rhode Island on 13 August 1930 for an extensive European cruise. She visited Barcelona, Naples, Constantinople, Phaleron Bay, and Gibraltar before returning to Chester, Pennsylvania, for voyage repairs on 13 October. She joined the Scouting Fleet as flagship for Commander, Light Cruiser Divisions, and on 6 March 1931, embarked the Secretary of the Navy for the Canal Zone where he observed the annual fleet problem from Texas. Chester carried the secretary back to Miami, Fla., arriving on 22 March, then sailed to Narragansett Bay for exercises and duty escorting two visiting French cruisers.
Originally classified as a light cruiser, CL-27, because of her thin armor. Effective 1 July 1931, Chester was redesignated a heavy cruiser, CA-27, because of her 8-inch guns in accordance with the provisions of the London Naval Treaty of 1930.
Following an overhaul at New York Navy Yard during which she was equipped with two catapults amidships, Chester stood out of Hampton Roads on 31 July 1932 with planes and ammunition for the West Coast. She arrived at San Pedro, California on 14 August and joined in the regular activities of the fleet. Departing San Pedro on 9 April 1934 as flagship of Commander, Special Service Squadron, she arrived in New York on 31 May for that day’s Presidential Naval Review, returning to San Pedro on 9 November. Ensign Richard O’Kane, who would win the Medal of Honor as the most successful United States submarine officer of World War II, served aboard Chester for one year as a junior gun division officer and then as signal officer following graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1934. On 25 September 1935, Chester embarked the Secretary of War and his party for a voyage to the Philippines in connection with the inauguration of the president of the Philippines Commonwealth on 15 November. Returning to San Francisco on 14 December 1935, she resumed operations with Cruiser Division 4.
Sailing from San Francisco on 28 October 1936, Chester arrived at Charleston, South Carolina on 13 November and departed five days later to escort Indianapolis with President Franklin Roosevelt embarked for a good-will visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Chester returned to San Pedro on 24 December. Chester remained on the West Coast for fleet exercises and training cruises to Hawaiian and Alaskan waters from 1937 except for a cruise to the East Coast for exercises and overhaul (23 September 1940 – 21 January 1941). Chester was one of six ships to receive the new RCA CXAM radar in 1940.
Homeported at Pearl Harbor from 3 February, the cruiser exercised in Hawaiian waters, and made one voyage to the West Coast with Commander, Scouting Force embarked (14 May 1941 – 18 June 1941). From 10 October to 13 November, she escorted two army transports carrying reinforcements to Manila, Philippines Islands Upon her return, she joined Northampton and Enterprise and was at sea returning from Wake Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
World War II
Chester remained on patrol with Task Force 8 (TF 8) in Hawaiian waters. On 12 December, her planes bombed a submarine, then guided Balch to a depth charge attack which continued until contact was lost.
1942
Chester supported the reinforcement landing on Samoa (18–24 January 1942), then joined Task Group 8.3 (TG 8.3) commanded by Adm. William Halsey for the successful raid on Taroa (1 February). Retiring under heavy air attack, she received a bomb hit in the well deck which killed eight and injured 38. The Chester was the only surface ship to lose men in the first surface attack of the Pacific war. She returned to Pearl Harbor on 3 February for repairs.
Following an escort voyage to San Francisco, Chester joined TF 17 for the Guadalcanal-Tulagi raid (4 May); the attack on Misima Island, Louisiade Archipelago (7 May); and the Battle of the Coral Sea (8 May) during which her steady antiaircraft fire protected the carriers providing the air strikes which stopped the invasion force heading for Port Moresby, New Guinea. Five of Chester ’s crew were wounded in this encounter. On 10 May, she received 478 survivors of Lexington from Hammann, whom she transferred to Tonga Island on 15 May.
After a West Coast overhaul, Chester arrived at Nouméa on 21 September 1942, to join TF 62 for the landings on Funafuti, Ellice Islands (2–4 October). She then proceeded south and while cruising in support of the operations in the Solomons, specifically north of the New Hebrides Islands, Chester was hit by a torpedo from I-176 on the starboard side, amidships on 20 October which killed 11 and wounded 12. She returned to Espiritu Santo under her own power for emergency repairs on 23 October. Three days later, President Coolidge struck a mine, and Chester sent fire and rescue parties to her aid as well as taking on the 440 survivors for transfer to Espiritu Santo. She steamed to Sydney, Australia on 29 October for further repairs and on Christmas Day, departed for Norfolk and a complete overhaul.
1943
Returning to San Francisco on 13 September 1943, Chester operated on escort duty between that port and Pearl Harbor until 20 October. On 8 November, she cleared Pearl Harbor for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. On 18–20 November, after air attacks, destroyers and cruisers bombarded Tarawa. Chester was the lead ship and received some accurate fire from the beach the first two days. The Chester, along with the rest of the division, also bombarded Apemoma, another of the Gilberts. She covered the landings on Abemama Island and bombarded Taroa, Wotje, and Maloelap.
1944
Chester assumed antisubmarine and antiaircraft patrol off Majuro until 25 April 1944, when she sailed for San Francisco and brief overhaul (6–22 May). She joined TF 94 at Adak Island, Alaska on 27 May for the bombardments of Matsuwa and Paramushiru in the Kuriles on 13 June and 26 June, then sailed to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 13 August.
Chester sortied on 29 August with TG 12.5 for the bombardment of Wake Island (3 September), then arrived at Eniwetok on 6 September. She cruised off Saipan and participated in the bombardment of Marcus Island on 9 October, before joining TG 38.1 for the carrier strikes on Luzon and Samar in support of the Leyte operations, as well as searching for enemy forces after the Battle for Leyte Gulf (25–26 October).
1945
From 8 November 1944 to 21 February 1945, Chester operated from Ulithi and Saipan in bombardment of Iwo Jima and the Bonins, supporting the invasion landings of 19 February.
After another West Coast overhaul, Chester returned to Ulithi on 21 June, and conducted patrols off Okinawa from 27 June, as well as covering minesweeping operations west of the island. In late July, Chester was assigned to the force supplying air cover for the Coast Striking Group (TG 95.2) off the Yangtze River Delta and protecting minesweeping. In August, she made a voyage to the Aleutians, and on the last day of the month sailed to participate in the occupation landings at Ominato, Aomori, Hakodate, and Otaru in September–October.
Post-war
Chester embarked homeward bound troops at Iwo Jima, and sailed on 2 November for San Francisco, arriving on 18 November. She made another voyage to Guam to bring home servicemen (24 November – 17 December), then steamed on 14 January 1946 for Philadelphia, arriving on 30 January.
Chester was placed out of commission in reserve in Philadelphia on 10 June. She was sold for scrap on 11 August 1959.
Awards
Chester received 11 battle stars for World War II service.
Name: Chester
Namesake: City of Chester, Pennsylvania
Ordered: 18 December 1924
Awarded: 13 June 1927
Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey
Cost: $10,815,000 (contract price)
Laid down: 6 March 1928
Launched: 3 July 1929
Sponsored by: Miss J. T. Blain
Completed: 13 June 1930
Acquired: 23 June 1930
Commissioned: 24 June 1930
Decommissioned: 10 June 1946
Reclassified: CA-27, 1 July 1931
Struck: 1 March 1959
Identification:
Hull symbol: CL-27
Hull symbol: CA-27
Code letters: NAFV
Honors and awards: 11 battle stars
Fate: Sold for scrap on 11 August 1959
Status: scrapped at Panama City, Florida
Class and type: Northampton-class cruiser
Displacement: 9,200 long tons (9,300 t) (standard)
Length:
600 ft 3 in (182.96 m) oa
570 ft (170 m) pp
Beam: 66 ft 1 in (20.14 m)
Draft:
16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) (mean)
23 ft (7.0 m) (max)
Installed power:
8 × White-Forster boilers
107,000 shp (80,000 kW)
Propulsion:
4 × Parsons reduction steam turbines
4 × screws
Speed: 32.7 kn (37.6 mph; 60.6 km/h)
Range: 10,000 nmi (12,000 mi; 19,000 km) at 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Capacity: 1,500 short tons (1,400 t) fuel oil
Complement:
92 officers 608 enlisted (as designed)
1,100 officers and enlisted
Sensors and processing systems: CXAM radar from 1940
Armament:
9 × 8 in (203 mm)/55 caliber guns (3x3)
4 × 5 in (127 mm)/25 caliber anti-aircraft guns
2 × 3-pounder 47 mm (1.9 in) saluting guns
6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (removed prior to World War II)
7 × quad 40 mm (1.6 in) Bofors guns (added during World War II)
28 × single 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons (added during World War II)
Armor:
Belt: 3–3¾ in (76–95 mm)
Deck: 1–2 in (25–51 mm)
Barbettes: 1½ in (38 mm)
Turrets: ¾–2½ in (19–64 mm)
Conning Tower: 1¼ in (32 mm)
Aircraft carried: 4 × floatplanes
Aviation facilities: 2 × amidships catapults
Bibliography
Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II. Studio. 1989.
Fahey, James C. (1941). The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, Two-Ocean Fleet Edition. Ships and Aircraft.
Silverstone, Paul H (1965). US Warships of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
Wright, Christopher C. (September 2019). "Question 7/56: Concerning What Radar Systems Were Installed on U.S. Asiatic Fleet Ships in December 1941". Warship International. LVI (3): 192–198. |
| USS Chester (CA-27). (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 67528) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) running trials, 1930. (Naval History & Heritage Command 55113) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) makes 25 knots during sea trials, circa 1929-1930. (Naval History & Heritage Command NHF-059) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) fitting out ay New York Shipbuilding, Camden, New Jersey, in March or April 1930. USS Salt Lake City (CL-25) is at the top of the picture. |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at anchor in Naples, Italy, during her shakedown cruise in 1930. |
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| The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) at anchor in Hampton Roads, Virginia, November 1930. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 64643) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), July 1931. |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), circa 1930s. Admiral A. Burke served aboard from May 1932-April 1933. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 124501) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), pre-war, undated. |
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| Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, Oahu, Hawaii. Scouting Force ships at, and off, the yard, 2 February 1933. Cruisers tied up at 1010 Dock are (from left to left center) Augusta (CA-31), Chicago (CA-29) and Chester (CA-27). USS Northampton (CA-26) is alongside the dock in the center, with USS Kane (DD-235) in the adjacent Marine Railway and USS Fox (DD-234) tied up nearby. USS Louisville (CA-28) is in the center distance. Moored off her bow and at the extreme right are USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) and USS Pensacola (CA-24). (Naval History & Heritage Command 80-G-451164) |
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| Vought O2U-3 Corsair (BuNo A-8225) assigned to Anti-Submarine Squadron 9 (VS-9) on USS Chester (CA-27). Note the "E" award painted on the plane. Photo circa 1933-34. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 94816) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27). Watercolor painting by Lieutenant Arthur Beaumont USNRF, 1934. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 647) |
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| 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). (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 93543) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) steaming in the Willamette River, Portland, Oregon, August 1936. |
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| 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. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 68102) |
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| 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. (NOAA) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), pre-war, undated. |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), undated. |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), pre-war, location unknown. (US Navy) |
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| 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. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 50945) |
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| 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 “Looking aft on the main deck. Note that most of fragment holes in intake trunk are at a low level.” (NARA San Francisco, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45, USS Chester Damage Report) |
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| 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.” (NARA San Francisco, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45, USS Chester Damage Report) |
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| 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 7½ lb. plating of the trunk was dished in 3 inches. The umbrella plating was blown loose, and was removed before this picture was taken.” (NARA San Francisco, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45, USS Chester Damage Report) |
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| 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. (NARA San Francisco, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45, USS Chester Damage Report) |
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| 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. (US Navy) |
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| 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. (NARA San Francisco, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45, USS Chester Damage Report) |
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| 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. (NARA San Francisco, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard General Correspondence Files, 1941-45, USS Chester Damage Report) |
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| 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. (National Archives, San Francisco Branch, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence files, 1941-47) |
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| 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. (National Archives, San Francisco Branch, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence files, 1941-47) |
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| Aerial view of USS Henderson (AP-1) and USS Chester (CA-27) moored at pier 46 in China Basin, San Francisco, 11-15 March 1942. This occasion is a stop in a year of convoying between San Francisco, San Diego, and Pearl Harbor. |
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| USS Lexington (CV-2) burning on 8 May 1942, as she was being abandoned. Ships standing by include three cruisers and several destroyers. Ship in the right distance is USS Chester (CA-27). Photographed from USS Portland (CA-33). (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 76562) |
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| USS Cushing (DD-376) view of the after part of the ship, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 July 1942. Note the ship's 5/38 gun mounts, life rafts and depth charges; Navy pickup truck (serial # 13125) and Classic Cleaners delivery van on the pier; and USS Chester (CA-27) in the background (lower portion of hull above water just visible at top of photo). (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 97855) |
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| 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. (US Navy 4592-42) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul, 6 August 1942. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-32461) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), plan view, starboard side, looking forward, showing alterations while at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 August 1942. (US Navy) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), plan view, amidships, showing alterations while at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 August 1942. (US Navy 4597-42) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), plan view, looking aft, showing alterations while at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 August 1942. (US Navy) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), plan view aft showing alterations while at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 August 1942. (US Navy 4600-42) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) view of the ship's forward smokestack and superstructure, taken from off her starboard side looking forward, at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 August 1942. Circles drawn on the image mark recent alterations. Note the antenna for Chester's CXAM radar atop her foremast. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-32465) |
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| Antenna for CXAM radar mounted atop the foremast of USS Chester (CA-27). Taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 6 August 1942. This image is cropped from the previous photo and has been substantially darkened to emphasize the antenna wires. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-32465-B) See Photo # 19-N-32465-A for an undarkened version, providing better details of the antenna structure. |
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| American naval personnel examine the hole caused by a torpedo hit in the hull of the heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) in Sutherland dock of the Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney (Australia). While cruising in support of the operations in the Solomons, Chester was hit by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-176 on the starboard side, amidships on 20 October 1942 which killed 11 and wounded 12. She returned to Espiritu Santo under her own power for emergency repairs on 23 October. She steamed to Sydney, Australia, on 29 October for further repairs and on Christmas Day, departed for Norfolk, Virginia, and a complete overhaul. Photo November 1942. (Australian War Memorial 305794) |
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| The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, in July 1943. (National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives Identifier (NAID) 7577453) |
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| The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) off Mare Island, California, on 15 September 1943. Note the tugs alongside and the Vought OS2U Kingfisher dangling from the aircraft handling crane amidships. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84592) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off The Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 September 1943. (*Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84581) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 September 1943. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84597) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 September 1943. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84582) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off The Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 September 1943. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84583) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 September 1943, looking aft along the port side. Note details of bridge and foremast tripod; also radars (3), including MK. III, MK. IV, and SG. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84595) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 September 1943. Note catapult, raft, funnel details; also vought OS2U Kingfisher on catapult (starboard side). Also note stokes' stretchers aft of aircraft handling crane, on bulkhead. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84591) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, 16 September 1943. Note Detail of the 5"/25 cal. DP guns; 40 mm guns; ready-use ammunition lockers; funnel detail; fenders (cane) at bottom right. Also note USS Mackinac (AVP-13) in background, with a Brooklyn Class CL beyond her, USS Honolulu (CL-48). (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84594) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, looking aft along the port side. Note 5"/25 DP guns; ready-use lockers for 20 mm and 5"; mainmast details; radar atop gun director. Also note stowage of fenders, aft of the 5" guns and by the 5" loading machine. 16 September 1943. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84596) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 September, 1943, looking forward along the port side. Note details of bridge, funnel, catapults; Vought OS2U Kingfisher on starboard catapult. Also note 5"/38 in foreground. USS Mackinac (AVP-13) in background (right). |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 September 1943. Note detail of mainmast tripod; 40mm mounts on fantail; and smoke generators (right). Also note USS Mackinac (AVP-13) and USS Honolulu (CL-48) at piers in background. Also note armed sentry on fantail watching two shipmates angle for fish. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84599) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) looking forward, along the port side, at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 September 1943, showing details of #1 turret and foc'sle detail. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84593) |
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| 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. (US Navy 6879-43) |
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| 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. (US Navy) |
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| Camouflage Measure 32, Design 9D. Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for heavy cruisers of the CA-27 (Chester) class. This plan, approved by Captain Logan McKee, USN, is dated 18 March 1944. It shows the ship's port side. USS Chester (CA-27) was painted in this camouflage pattern. (Naval History & Heritage Command 80-G-173263) |
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| Camouflage Measure 32, Design 9D. Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for heavy cruisers of the CA-27 (Chester) class. This plan, approved by Captain Logan McKee, USN, is dated 18 March 1944. It shows the ship's starboard side, exposed decks and superstructure ends. USS Chester (CA-27) was painted in this camouflage pattern. (Naval History & Heritage Command 80-G-173265) |
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| 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. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-73468) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at San Francisco, California, following overhaul, circa late May 1944. Circled numbers mark indicate recent alterations to the ship. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-73474) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off Hunter's Point, 12 June 1944 after undergoing repairs. (US Navy 1204-44-S8) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at anchor mid-1944, location unknown, but probably Adak, Alaska. |
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| Capt. Henry Hartley, USN while on the bridge of cruiser USS Chester (CL/CA 27) somewhere in Pacific, 20 July 1944. (US Navy) |
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| Iwo Jima Operation, 1945. USS Idaho (BB-42) bombarding Iwo Jima, prior to the landings there, circa 16-19 February 1945. Heavy cruiser in the right distance is probably USS Chester (CA-27). Photographed from USS Nevada (BB-36). (Naval History & Heritage Command 80-G-303822) |
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| Battle for Iwo Jima, February-March 1945. BGM 3/C Jack Lee Gray, buglar, board USS Chester (CA 27), February 1945. (US Navy 80-G-305078 in the US National Archives) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27), late war, undated. |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 13 May 1945. Circles mark recent alterations. Note 8" guns, Mk 34 director with Mk 13 radar, Mk 33 director, paravanes, 40mm quad with radar. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84012) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) Mk. 13 radar antenna mounted on the forward Mk. 34 director, 13 May 1945. (Naval History & Heritage Command NH 84815) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 13 May 1945. Circles mark recent alterations. Note newly fitted Mk 34 main battery director and radar, just aft of the stack. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84015) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 13 May 1945. Circles mark recent alterations. Note tripod mast, radars, crane, catapult, Mk 34 director and Mk 13 radar. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84014) |
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| USS Cowpens (CVL-25) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 May 1945. Circles mark recent alterations. USS Chester (CA-27) is in the background. Note small radar director fitted forward. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84029) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, 16 May 1945. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84008) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 May 1945, following her last wartime overhaul. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84007) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 May 1945. Note anchors. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84010) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 May 1945. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84011) |
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| USS Chester (CA-27) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, 13 May 1945. Circles mark recent alterations. Note 5"/25 gun. (Naval History & Heritage Command 19-N-84013) |
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| 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. US Navy 19-N-84007 in Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives) |
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| Aerial view of the Reserve Basin of the U.S. Navy Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 19 May 1955 with numerous ships in reserve. |
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| This is a cropped portion of the previous photo. The nearest ship is the never-completed large cruiser Hawaii (CB-3), which lacks its previously-installed three 305 mm gun turrets. The cruisers outboard of Hawaii are (in unknown order) USS Honolulu (CL-48), USS Columbia (CL-56), USS Denver (CL-58), USS Galveston (CL-93), and USS Portsmouth (CL-102). To their left are USS Tranquillity (AH-14), USS Sanctuary (AH-17), and USS Pocono (AGC-16). Behind Hawaii (from left to right) are USS Montpelier (CL-57), USS Houston (CL-81), USS Huntington (CL-107), USS Savannah (CL-42), USS Cleveland (CL-55), and USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103). Beyond them (from left to right) are USS Wichita (CA-45), USS Oregon City (CA-122), USS Chester (CA-27), and USS New Orleans (CA-32). (Naval History & Heritage Command 80-G-668655) |
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| 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. |