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| USN New Orleans-class Heavy Cruiser 9,375 Tons 588' 2" x 61' 10" x 19' 5" 9 × 8" guns (3x3) 8 × 5" guns 8 × 50 cal machine guns  USN July 20, 1942  USN August 9, 1942 |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts. Laid down November 15, 1933 as a New Orleans-class cruiser. Launched June 19, 1935 as USS Quincy (CA-39) named for Quincy, Massachusetts sponsored by Mrs. Catherine Adams-Morgan, wife of Henry S. Morgan. Commissioned June 9, 1936 in the U.S. Navy (USN) in Boston with Captain William Faulkner Amsden in command. Assigned to Cruiser Division 8 (CruDiv8), Atlantic Fleet. On July 20, 1936 Quincy was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea to protect American interest in Spain. On July 26, 1936 transits the Straits of Gibraltar and the next day arrives at Málaga, Spain. During the Spanish Civil War, participated in the international rescue fleet with Deutschland, Admiral Graf Spee, and Admiral Scheer. Quincy evacuated 490 refugees to Marseille and Villefranche, France. On September 27, 1936 relieved by USS Raleigh (CL-7) then underwent a refit at Boston Navy Yard. During March 15-17, 1937 underwent final acceptance trials. On April 12, 1937 departs Boston via the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor arriving May 10, 1937 and joins the Pacific Fleet, Cruiser Division 7 (CruDiv 7). Afterwards, participates in Fleet Problem XIX exercises off Hawaii then another overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard then operates off California. On January 4, 1939 departs via the Panama Canal to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and engaged in gunnery practice and amphibious operations including Fleet Problem XX. On April 12, 1939 departs on a South American goodwill tour. On June 12, 1939 arrives Norfolk for three reservist training cruises. For the remainder of the year, patrols the northern Atlantic Ocean. Wartime History On May 4, 1940 overhaul at Norfolk then departs on another South American tour of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, and returns on September 22, 1940. Afterwards, conducts three more reserve training cruises until late December 1940. On February 3, 1941 part of landing force exercises off Culebra Island, Puerto Rico until April 1, 1941 then assigned to Task Force 2 (TF 2) with USS Wasp (CV-7) and operates in the Atlantic on neutrality patrols until June 1941. Next, assigned to Task Force 28 (TF 28) with USS Yorktown (CV-5) until July 14, 1941. On July 28, 1941 departs with Task Force 16 (TF 16) for Iceland on a neutrality patrol in the Denmark Straits then escorts a convoy to Newfoundland arriving October 31, 1941. Next departs via Trinidad to Cape Town to escort a convoy to Trinidad. On December 7, 1941 when the U.S. entered World War II, Quincy was still at sea bound for Trinidad arriving December 29, 1941. On January 25, 1942 assigned to Task Force 15 (TF 15) to escort a convoy off Iceland and again patrols the Denmark Straits. On March 14, 1942 departs for New York for a an overhaul at the New York Navy Yard until late May 1942. On June 5, 1942 departs via the Panama Canal to San Diego arriving two weeks later. Assigned to Task Force 18 (TF 18) as the flagship of of Rear Admiral Norman R. Scott, Commander, Cruisers. In July 1942 departs for the South Pacific under the command of Captain Samuel N. Moore. On August 4, 1942 at Nouméa Harbor with the U.S. invasion force bound for the Solomon Islands. On August 7, 1942 participates in the U.S. invasion of Guadalcanal and conducts a shore bombardment of Lunga Point in support of U.S. Marines landing at Red Beach. On August 8, 1942 in the afternoon, Quincy, USS Vincennes (CA-44) and USS Astoria (CA-34) formed the "northern escort force" and patrolled off Savo Island to screen for transports still unloading and defended against the arrival of a Japanese Navy surface force. Sinking History On August 9, 1942 after midnight patrolling in column with USS Vincennes (CA-44) and USS Astoria (CA-34) to the east of Savo Island. At the start of the Battle of Savo Island at 1:40am lookouts spotted flares and star shells to the south and heard gunfire as Allied "southern force" was engaged. Aboard, the alarm for general quarters was sounded when Japanese searchlights illuminated Quincy Captain Moore gave the order to commence firing but her guns were not ready. Minutes later, hit by gunfire from Aoba, Furutaka, and Tenryū that caused fires. Aboard one of the Japanese cruisers, a photograph shows Quincy illuminated and burning during the engagement. Despite the damage sustained, Captain Moore ordered Quincy to steam eastward toward the force and managed to fire several salvos from her main guns and scored a hit on Chokai. At 2:16am shells hit that killed or wounded almost everyone in the bridge including Captain Moore whose last order was to attempt to beach the Quincy on Savo Island. At 2:16am hit by a torpedo from Aoba and all her guns ceased firing after many direct hits from shells. In total, Quincy suffered 370 dead and 167 wounded. At 2:38am sank bow first into Iron Bottom Sound as the first ship sunk Battle of Savo Island. Shipwreck In July–August 1992 a team led by Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the shipwreck of Quincy upright at a depth of 2,000' / 610m. The team used a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to document the shipwreck. When found, the bow is missing forward of the no. 1 turret and both bow turrets are aimed to the starboard side. One of the no. 1 turret guns is jammed and none of the no. 2 turret guns is damaged from a burst. The bridge was heavily damaged and both funnels were missing and the floatplane hanger collapsed. The stern is bent upward beyond the no. 3 turret and heavily damaged. Awards For her World War II service, Quincy earned one battle star. Memorials The crew members who went down with the ship are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. On March 12, 1948 Captain Samuel N. Moore was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 11, site 863. On February 23, 1944 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer USS USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) was named in honor of Captain Samuel N. Moore sponsored by his wife. References Naval History and Heritage (NHHC) - USS Quincy (CA-39) NavSource - USS Quincy (CA-39) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Samuel N. Moore (grave photos) FindAGrave - Capt Samuel Nobre Moore (photo, grave photo) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edmund Billings FindAGrave - LCDR Edmund “Ned” Billings Jr. (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Contribute
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