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| USN Brooklyn Class Light Cruiser 9,767 Tons (Standard) 12,403 Tons (Maximum) 600' x 61' 7" x 19' 9" Armament (1945) 15 (5x3) x 6" / 47 cal guns 8 x 5" AA guns 4 x Quad 40mm AA guns 2 x Twin 40mm AA 18 x 20mm cannons  U.S. Army Feb 28, 1944 |
Ship History Built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. Laid down April 25, 1935 as Brooklyn Class Light Cruiser. Launched March 19, 1938 as USS Phoenix (CL-46) after Phoenix, Arizona sponsored by Mrs. Dorothea Kays Moonan. Commissioned October 3, 1938 in the U.S. Navy (USN) at Philadelphia Navy Yard with Captain John W. Rankin in command. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 27, 1944 in the morning launched her floatplane to Buna Roads for meeting regarding upcoming operations and returned at 4:08pm. At 10:30am enters China Strait and at 12:09pm enters in Milne Bay and moors off the port side of HMAS Bishopdale (A128) and embarked 13 personnel. At 4:18pm embarked U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur and U.S. Navy (USN) Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander Seventh Fleet plus their aides. At 4:35pm got underway and departed as Task Group 74.2 (TG 74.2) including USS Nashville (CL-43), USS Beale (DD-471), USS Daly (DD-519), USS Hutchins (DD-476) and USS Bache (DD-470) that proceeds via Raven Channel bound for Buna Roads. On February 28, 1944 at 5:24am while enroute to Buna Roads. At 8:05am U.S. Army Lt. General Walter Krueger and Rear Admiral D. E. Barbey came aboard for a conference with MacArthur then departed by 9:30am and soon afterwards, the force departed and divided into Group A including Phoenix, Daly and Huchins and Group B including Nashville, Beale and Bache and proceeded to the Admiralty Islands. On March 1, 1944 at 6:00am left formation while enroute from the Admiralty Islands bound for Cape Sudest. At 7:59am off Nussing Island near Cape Cretin, PT Boats came alongside and MacArthur and Kinkaid and their aides disembarked. Before leaving, General MacArthur stated: "This is an excellent ship. In my opinion I have never seen a more efficient ship." Admiral Kinkaid added: "You have a remarkably fine, clean and efficient ship. I marvel at the quietness with which everything is done." Afterwards, rejoined the TG 74.2 and zig-zaged with a sound contact to Buna Roads and at 2:37 moored to the port side of USS Trinity (AO-13) for refueling then anchored at 6:31 at Berth 43 in Buna Roads. Embarked Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid and U.S. Army General MacArthur to observe the U.S. landing in the Admiralty Islands. On February 28, 1944 off Los Negros participated in the pre-invasion bombardment. PARTIAL HISTORY On June 30, 1945 Phoenix arrives off Balikpapan on Borneo and provides gunfire support for the pre-invasion bombardment. On July 1, 1945 supports "Operation Oboe Two" the amphibious landing of the Australian Army 7th Division then provides gunfire support and cover for minesweepers until July 7, 1945. For her World War II service, Phoenix earned eleven battle stars. Postwar On September 6, 1945 transited the Panama Canal and joined the Atlantic Fleet. On February 28, 1946 at Philadelphia her status was reduced to in commission. On July 3, 1946 decommissioned at Philadelphia. On January 27, 1951 stricken from the Navy. On April 9, 1951 sold to Argentina. On October 17, 1951 commissioned in the Armada de la República Argentina (Argentine Navy) as Diecisiete de Octubre (C-4). In 1956 renamed ARA General Belgrano. During 1967 to 1968 upgraded with new Dutch built radars and British Sea Cat anti-aircraft missiles. Sinking History On May 2, 1982 during the Falklands War, hit by a torpedo fired by British submarine HMS Conqueror with the loss of 323 crew members. This loss accounted for just over half of the Argentine military deaths sustained during the Falklands War. This was only warship sunk in combat by a nuclear-powered submarine during a war. References NavSource - USS Phoenix CL-46 (photos) NARA USS Phoenix (CL-46) February 1944 NARA USS Phoenix "Action Report of Bombardment and Occupation of Momote Airdrome, Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, on 29 February 1944" 3 March 1944 NARA USS Phoenix (CL-46) March 1944 NARA USS Phoenix (CL-46) April 1944 NARA USS Phoenix (CL-46) May 1944 Contribute
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