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| USN New Orleans-class Heavy Cruiser 9,950 Tons (Standard) 588' x 61' 9" x 19' 5" 8 x 8" 55 cal guns (3x3) 8 x 5" 25 cal AA guns 8 x .50 cal MG 4 x floatplanes 2 x catapults  USN 1930s  USN December 1942  USN December 12, 1942  USN December 1942  USN April 11, 1943 |
Ship History Built by the Philadelphia Navy Yard in Philadelphia, PA. Laid down June 27 , 1931 as New Orleans-class cruiser built as a "treaty cruisers" to the specifications of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. Shortly after construction began, reclassified as a heavy cruiser as defined in the London Naval Treaty. Launched September 6, 1933 as USS Minneapolis as the second ship named for Minneapolis, Minnesota sponsored by Miss Grace L. Newton. Commissioned May 19, 1934 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Captain Gordon W. Haines in command. Nicknamed "Minnie". During July 1934, departs on a shakedown cruise off Europe and two months later returns to Philadelphia Navy Yard for alterations. On April 4, 1935 departs via the Panama Canal bound for San Diego arriving two weeks later. Assigned to Cruiser Division 7 (CruDiv 7), Scouting Force and operated off the west coast. During early 1939 made a cruise via the Panama Canal in the Caribbean Sea then returned to Pearl Harbor during 1940 and operates off Hawaii. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 at sea for gunnery practice roughly 20 miles off Pearl Harbor. During the Japanese attack, went to general quarters but did not engage any enemy planes. Her floatplanes flew an air search to investigate a report of enemy contacts south of Oahu and search a sector 150° to 180° out to 150 miles without results. Afterwards, joined Task Force 1 (TF 1) and conducted patrols until late January 1942. Minneapolis was part of the screening force for a carrier task force bound for the Gilbert Islands and Marshall Islands. On February 1, 1942 while screening for USS Lexington (CV-2) engages G4M1 Betty bombers and claimed three shot down by her anti-aircraft fire. On February 20, 1942 screens Task Force 11 (TF-11) aircraft carriers northeast of Rabaul. On March 10, 1942 screens Task Force 11 (TF-11) aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Papua. During early May 1942 participates in the Battle of the Coral Sea screening for USS Lexington (CV-2) and claimed three Japanese planes shot down. After the sinking of the aircraft carrier, rescued survivors. Afterwards, to Pearl Harbor for replenishing and repair then departs for the South Pacific. On August 7, 1942 covers the U.S. landings at Tulagi and Guadalcanal and screens aircraft carriers. On August 30, 1942 takes damaged USS Saratoga (CV-3) under tow until the engineers were able to get the carrier running. During September 1942 and October 1942 operates off Guadalcanal and Funafuti as the flagship of Task Force 67 (TF 67). On November 29, 1942 departs to intercept Japanese warships bound for Guadalcanal. On November 30, 1942 at 11:22pm during the Battle of Tassafaronga (Battle of Lunga Point) intercepted Japanese warships and engaged with her main guns and scored hits on Takanami that sank. Meanwhile, a second group of Japanese destroyers launched a spread of torpedoes and Minneapolis was hit twice. The first torpedo hit the bow that caused it to collapse to the hawsepipes and results in a loss of 7' of freeboard. The second hit on the port side amidship in the no. 2 fire room causing flooding and a loss of power. The crew's skillful damage control and seamanship allow the damaged cruiser to reach Tulagi Harbor and anchors off eastern Tulagi. Minneapolis was camouflaged with palm fronds and vegetation to protect it from observation by Japanese aircraft. The crew with the help "Seabees" from 27th Naval Construction Battalion (27th NCB) removed the damaged bow and made temporary repairs. On December 5, 1942 after the damaged bow was cut off an accidental explosion was caused by a gas torch causing the bow to settle with the loss of 7' of freeboard. Afterwards, a row of stacked coconut logs was installed in the bow to form a breakwater. Meanwhile, on Espiritu Santo a temporary bow was being fabricated for the cruiser. On December 12, 1942 departs with a log breakwater bound for Espiritu Santo where a short temporary bow was fitted allowing the cruiser to steam for Pearl Harbor arriving in March 1943 and dry docked to install a new bow. Next, proceeds to Mare Island for overhaul and a remolding of the forward bridge plus the installation of new radars and anti-aircraft guns between April 22, 1943 until August 30, 1943. Repainted with camouflage including false winnows on the pilothouse and a scheme that intended to make her appear to be a destroyer. By August 1943, Minneapolis returns to the Pacific. In October 1943 conducts a shore bombardment of Wake Island. On November 20, 1943 conducts a shore bombardment of Makin (Butaritari) in support of the U.S. landing. During December 1943 screened the carrier group for pre-invasion strikes on Kwajalein and Majuro. In February 1944 supports the invasion of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Truk, Satawan, Ponape. During May 1944 sorties from Majuro for the invasion of the Mariana Islands. On June 14, 1944 conducted a pre-invasion bombardment of Saipan then joins Task Force 58 (TF 58) to screen U.S. carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and sustains damage from a near miss bomb and was repaired. On July 8, 1944 provides fire support for U.S. Marines on Guam for a month. On September 6, 1944 supports the landings on Peleliu. On October 17, 1944 enters Leyte Gulf to support the U.S. landings and claimed five planes shot down. On October 24, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, assigned to bombardment group under the command of Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf and deploys in the Surigao Strait as part of the left flank of cruisers between destroyers to the south and battleships to the north. On October 25, 1944 at the start of the Battle of Surigao Strait, opened fire on Japanese warships in column formation. During the engagement, Minneapolis scores hits on Mogami that later sinks and damages Shigure. During January 1945 screens for the U.S. landings at Lingayen Gulf. In February 1945 supports the landings on the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island. During March 1945 assigned to Task Force 54 (TF 54) to support the invasion of Kerama Retto. On April 1, 1945 covers the U.S. landing on Okinawa and conducts a bombardment of Naha Airfield then provides fire support against targets called in by U.S. forces ashore. On April 12, 1945 departs Okinawa across the Pacific bound for Bremerton for repairs including the replacement of worn out gun barrels due to frequent firing then conducts sea trials in late June 1945 then crosses the Pacific arriving at Subic Bay by the end of the Pacific War. Postwar On September 9, 1945 with Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid embarked accepts the surrender of Japanese forces in Korea then patrols the Yellow Sea and covers the landing of U.S. Marines at Taku (Tianjin) and Ching Wang Tao (Chinwangtao, Qinhuangdao) in China. Afterwards, Minneapolis transported U.S. personnel from the Pacific to the United States. On January 14, 1946 transits via the Panama Canal to Philadelphia. On May 21, 1946 placed in reserve. On February 10, 1947 placed out of commission. Fate On August 14, 1959 sold for scrap to Union Metals and Alloys Corporation. During July 1960 broken up for scrap in Chester, PA. Wreckage The original damaged bow remains where it was cut off and sunk into Tulagi Harbor at a depth of 15m-20m roughly 1.27km northwest of Tulagi near the southern coast of Florida Island. Nearby is other wreckage including a steel buoy, landing craft, engine other debris including tires and 55 gallon drums and other wreckage. Awards For her World War II service, Minneapolis received 17 battle stars. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Minneapolis II (CA-36) Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Minneapolis, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack USN USS Minneapolis CA-36 Torpedo Damage 30 November 1942 Plate II NavSource - USS Minneapolis (CA-36) Michael McFadyen Scuba Diving Web Site - USS Minneapolis - Bow Contribute
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 Map November 30, 1942 Map Iron Bottom Sound  Original Bow 15-20m  Photo Archive |
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