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| USN New Orleans-class Heavy Cruiser 9,375 tons 588' 2" x 61' 9" x 19' 5" (As of 1942) 9 × 8"/55 cal guns (3x3) 8 × 5" guns 2 x 37mm guns 8 × 50 cal machine guns  USN June 8, 1932  USN July 8, 1942  USN August 8, 1942 |
Ship History Built by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. Laid down September 1, 1930 as a New Orleans-class Heavy Cruiser . Launched December 16, 1933 as USS Astoria (CA-34) named for Astoria, Oregon sponsored by Miss Leila C. McKay. Commissioned April 28, 1934 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Captain Edmund S. Root in command. In the summer of 1934, Astoria conducted a shake-down cruise across the Pacific with stops in Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Sydney and Nouméa. On September 26, 1934 returned to San Francisco. In the autumn of 1934, assigned as a unit of Cruiser Division 7 (CruDiv 7), Scouting Force based at San Pedro. During February 1937 assigned to Cruiser Division 6 (CruDiv 6) but remains at San Pedro. In early 1939 participated in Fleet Problem XX in the Caribbean Sea under the command of Captain Richmond K. Turner. On March 3, 1939 departs for Norfolk then to Annapolis an embarks the ashes of Japanese Ambassador to the United States Hiroshi Saito via the Panama Canal then escorted by Japanese Navy destroyers Hibiki, Sagiri, Akatsuki across the Pacific to Yokohama on April 17, 1939 and fired a 21 gun salute then the ashes were transported ashore. In thanks, Saito's family presented a pagoda to Astoria in appreciation. This pagoda was later placed at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and displayed outside Huce Hall. On April 26, 1939 departs for Shanghai arriving three days later and received Admiral Harry E. Yarnell, Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet for an inspection tour. On May 1, 1939 departs Shanghai via Hong Kong and the Philippines to Guam. On May 21, 1939 aids USS U. S. Grant then searched for a missing Chinese junk with adventurer Richard Halliburton without success. During October 1939 assigned to the Hawaii Detachment at Pearl Harbor. In the spring of 1940 participates in Fleet Problem XXI off Hawaii. On April 2, 1941 departs Pearl Harbor and six days later arrives Long Beach. On April 13, 1941 enters Mare Island Navy Yard for refit and upgraded with quad 1.1" anti-aircraft guns. On April 16, 1941 departs for Pearl Harbor arriving eight days later. Afterwards, operated between Oahu and Midway in early September 1941. Next, escorted USS Henderson (AP-1) to Manila and Guam then returns to Pearl Harbor on October 29, 1941. Wartime History On December 5, 1941 departs Pearl Harbor as part of the screening force Task Force 12 (TF-12) including USS Lexington (CV-5) bound for Midway. On December 7, 1941 roughly 700 miles west of Hawaii the force learns of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu the voyage was canceled and recalled to Pearl Harbor. On December 8, 1941 joined by USS Indianapolis (CA-35) flagship of Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, Commander, Scouting Force. Over the next few days, unsuccessfully searched the area southwest of Oahu. On December 13, 1941 returned to Pearl Harbor and three days later departs escorting a convoy including USS Neches (AO-5) and USS Tangier (AV-8) bound for Wake Island but was recalled when the garrison surrendered. On December 29, 1941 returned to Pearl Harbor and embarks 40 crew from USS California (BB-44). On December 31, 1941 departs Pearl Harbor with Task Force 11 (TF-11) including USS Saratoga (CV-3) until the aircraft carrier was damaged on January 11, 1942 then escorts her back to Pearl Harbor arriving two days later. On January 19, 1941 departs again with Task Force 11 (TF-11) with USS Lexington (CV-5) escorted by USS Chicago and USS Minneapolis plus nine destroyers that patrol in a line from Kingman Reef to Christmas Island. On January 21, 1942 rendezvous with USS Neches (AO-5) but was sunk two days later then returns to Pearl Harbor on January 24, 1942. On February 16, 1942 departs Pearl Harbor with Task Force 17 (TF-17) under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher including USS Yorktown (CV-2) heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28) with destroyers USS Sims (DD-409), USS Anderson (DD-411), USS Hammann (DD-412), USS Walke (DD-416) and oiler USS Guadalupe (AO-32) to operate off Canton Island. On February 20, 1942, Task Force 11 (TF 11) was spotted and attacked northeast of Rabaul and TF 17 was ordered to rendezvous with TF 11 southwest of New Hebrides (Vanuatu) on March 6, 1942. The combined force steamed northward towards Rabaul until Japanese forces landed at Lae and Salamaua and on March 8, 1942 these two locations become their new target. On March 10, 1942 carrier aircraft from USS Yorktown (CV-2) and USS Saratoga (CV-3) launch from the Gulf of Papua to strike Lae and Salamaua. Meanwhile, a surface force including USS Astoria, USS Chicago, USS Louisville, and HMAS Australia escorted by destroyers USS Anderson (DD-411), USS Hammann (DD-412), USS Hughes (DD-410), and USS Sims (DD-409) under the command of Rear Admiral John G. Crace off Rossel Island to protect their eastern flank. For the remainder of March 1942 patrols the Coral Sea with Task Force 17 (TF 17) then departs with USS Portland, USS Huges and USS Walke (DD-416) to Noumea Harbor to provision from USS Bridge (AF-1) then resumed patrols of the Coral Sea. On April 20, 1942 arrives Tongatapu for a week with USS Yorktown (CV-5). On April 27, 1942 departs with Task Force 17 (TF 17) to rendesvous with Task Force 11 (TF 11) three days later in the Coral Sea. On May 3, 1942 screens USS Yorktown when she launches carrier planes against the Japanese landing at Tulagi and two days later the Task Force 17 (TF 17) refueled at sea. On May 7, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea screened USS Yorktown (CV-5). On May 8, 1942 Astoria provided anti-aircraft fire and claimed four Japanese carrier planes shot down while screening USS Lexington (CV-2) until sunk. Afterwards, withdrew via Noumea via Tongatapu then to Pearl Harbor arriving May 27, 1942. On May 30, 1942 departs Pearl Harbor screening for USS Yorktown (CV-5) bound for Midway Atoll. On June 4, 1942 at the start of the Battle of Midway screens for the carrier. Around noon, attacked by Japanese carrier planes an Astoria anti-aircraft gunners claimed two shot down while six others managed to strike the carrier with three scoring hits that caused damage. At 1:10pm, Rear Admiral Fletcher transfered to Astoria that became the flagship of Task Force 17 (TF 17) as damage control parties worked on the carrier. At 1:40pm opened fire on attacks by Japanese B5N Kates escorted by A6M2 Zeros but failed to stop two from scoring torpedo hits. When USS Yorktown (CV-5) is abandoned, Astoria provided lifeboats to rescue her survivors. After dark, withdraws eastward then patrols to the north of Midway Atoll. On June 8, 1942 at midday, Task Force 11 (TF 11) arrives and Rear Admiral Fletcher transferred his flag to USS Saratoga (CV-3). On June 11, 1942 departs for Pearl Harbor arriving two days later. Afterwards, underwent repairs and alterations then began training off Hawaii. In early August 1942 assigned to Task Group 62.3 (TG 62.3), Fire Support Group L and departs for the South Pacific to support the U.S. invasion of the Solomon Islands. On August 7, 1942 supports U.S. Marines landing at Red Beach on Guadalcanal and provided anti-aircraft fire support against a Japanese air raid. On August 8, 1942 resumes covering duty and at noon, opens fire with every available gun on another Japanese air raid by G4M1 Betty bombers attacking ships off Guadalcanal. In the afternoon, Astoria, USS Vincennes (CA-44) and USS Quincy (CA-39) 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 behind USS Vincennes (CA-44) and USS Quincy (CA-39) 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 gunfire engaged the U.S. cruisers. During the confusion of battle, Astoria briefly ceased fire when her Commanding Officer mistook the Japanese cruisers as friendly but then resumed gunfire. The first four Japanese salvos missed but the fifth hit the superstructure and caused fires amidship and shells knocked out her no. 1 turret and caused a fire in the seaplane hangar deck that illuminated the ship and attracted more gunfire that caused the cruiser to loose speed. At 2:01am turned right to avoid USS Quincy (CA-39) and was hit by gunfire aft of the foremast and was on burning from bow to stern and turned hard left to avoid a collision as Quincy passed her bow. While turning, illuminated by Kinugasa and her no. 2 turret attempted to fire at the light but missed and hit Chokai in the no. 1 turret with her twelfth and final salvo. At 2:25am lost steering control from the bridge and switched to the central station and began a zig-zag course southward but lost all power and stopped dead in the water as the Japanese force began withdrawing. At 3:00am roughly 400 of the crew including 70 wounded assembled on deck and began a bucket brigade to fight the fires as aid was given to the wounded. In total, Astoria fired twelve salvos during the battle and sustained at least 65 shell hits. Aboard, 219 of her crew were reported as dead or missing in the engagement. At 4:45am USS Bagley came alongside and took aboard the wounded from the forecastle and rescued men in life rafts. At dawn, USS Bagley (DD-386) returned with a salvage crew of 325 that boarded Astoria and resumed fire fighting with a bucket brigade. Around 7:00am USS Hopkins (DMS-13) came to aid and secured a tow line and attempted to tow her towards Guadalcanal. At 9:00am USS Wilson (DD-408) arrived and attempted to fight the fires on the bow. At 11:00am both destroyers were called away and replaced by USS Buchanan (DD-484) and USS Alchiba (AKA-6). Meanwhile, the fires caused internal explosions and her list to port increased from 10° to 15° with her stern at the waterline and her bow rising as seawater entered shell holes. At 11:30am USS Buchanan (DD-484) arrived but was ordered not to approach as the damaged cruiser was in danger of sinking and remained off the starboard quarter. Aboard, the remaining crew assembled at the stern. At noon, Commodore William G. Greenman gave the order to abandon ship. Shortly afterwards, Astoria over on her port beam and settled by the stern and by 12:16pm sunk into Iron Bottom Sound southeast of Savo Island. The entire salvage crew was rescued by USS Buchanan (DD-484) and USS Alchiba (AKA-6). Awards For her World War II service, Astoria earned three battle stars. Shipwreck During January 2015, Octopus owned by Paul Allen conducted a sonar mapping of Iron Bottom Sound and located 29 shipwrecks with six positively identified including Astoria. The shipwreck of Astoria is upright with the stern at a depth of 2,820' / 860m. On January 23, 2015 documented using an Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The bow missing and "A" turret points aft with "Astoria" still visible at the stern. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Astoria (CA-34) NavSource - USS Astoria (CA-34) ON&T "Mapping the Ghost Fleet of Iron Bottom Sound" by Garry Kozak June 1, 2015 Contribute
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