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| USN Northampton-class Heavy Cruiser 9,200 Tons (standard) 600' 3" x 66' 1" x 16' 5" 9 × 8" guns 4 × 5" guns 2 x 3 pdr 6 × 21 in torpedo tubes 2 x catapults 4 x floatplanes   USN October 26, 1942   USN October 26, 1942 |
Ship History Built at Bethlehem Steel Corporation at Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. Laid down April 12, 1928 as the lead ship of the Northampton-class cruiser. Launched September 5, 1929 as USS Northhampton (CL-26) named for Northampton, Massachusetts sponsored by Grace Coolidge, wife of former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge whose hometown was Northampton. Commissioned May 17, 1930 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Captain Walter N. Vernou in command. Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and during the summer of 1930, departs on a shakedown cruise to the Mediterranean Sea. Afterwards, patrols the Panama Canal Zone and the Pacific for exercises. During 1931, redesignated as a heavy cruiser (CA-26) in accordance with the London Naval Treaty. In 1932, assigned to the Pacific Fleet based at San Pedro and later Pearl Harbor. During 1940, equipped with RCA CXAM radar. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 at sea as with USS Enterprise (CV-6) and the next day returns to Pearl Harbor. On December 9, 1941 departs with the same force to patrol northeast of Oahu, then south to Johnston Island and north to search west of Lisianski Island then to Midway Atoll. On December 11, 1941 while refueling in heavy seas, USS Craven (DD-382) accidentally collided with the cruiser and sustained damage then returns to Pearl Harbor. During January 1942, Northampton remained on search patrols. Detached with USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) to bombard Wotje on February 1, 1942 destroying buildings, fuel and sinks two ships. On February 24, 1942 bombards Wake causing fires and sinking a dredge in the lagoon and were engaged by counter battery fire and was targeted by Japanese seaplanes, planes and patrol vessels that were shot down or repulsed. On March 4, 1942 screens for an air raid against Marcus then withdraws to Pearl Harbor. In April 1942 departs Pearl Harbor screening USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8) for the April 18, 1942 "Doolittle Raid" then returns to Pearl Harbor to resupply then departs for the South Pacific and arrives just after the Battle of the Coral Sea then back to Pearl Harbor and departs screening for USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of Midway then returns to Pearl Harbor arriving June 13, 1942. During August 1942, departs across the Pacific bound for the Solomon Islands and patrols southeast of San Cristobal. During September 1942 placed under the command of Captain Willard A. Kitts, III. On September 15, 1942 at 2:45pm Japanese submarine I-19 fired torpedoes that hit and sinks USS Wasp (CV-7) and damages USS North Carolina (BB-55) damages USS O'Brien (DD-415) only 800 yards off her port beam. On October 5, 1942 screens for USS Hornet (CV-8) when her planes conduct the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai Raid. On October 26, 1942 during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands screens USS Hornet (CV-8) until damaged by bombs a plane crash and two torpedo hits. Rear Admiral George Murray ordered Northampton to tow the damaged carrier and achieved a tow speed of 5 knots until attacked again and hit by another torpedo and caused a 14° list. With Japanese warships approaching, Vice Admiral William Halsey ordered the damaged carrier be scuttled. Afterwards, Northampton withdraws to the southwest. During late November 1942 assigned to a U.S. Navy cruiser-destroyer force to interdict Japanese reinforcements landing on Guadalcanal. On November 30, 1942 during the Battle of Tassafaronga, Northampton opened fire on Japanese ships. At 11:22pm, both USS Minneapolis (CA-36) and USS New Orleans (CA-32) sustained torpedo hits and withdrew. At 11:39 USS Pensacola was also hit by a torpedo and withdrew. The engagement continues with Northampton, Honolulu and six destroyers continuing to attack. At 11:48pm Northhampton was hit by two torpedoes possibly fired by destroyer Oyashio that hit the port side and caused flooding, fires and develop a list. Sinking History On December 1, 1942 three hours after being damaged, Northampton began sinking stern first and was abandoned she sank southeast of Savo Island into Iron Bottom Sound. Rescue Afterwards, her surviving crew were rescued by escorting destroyers. Roughly forty survivors including many wounded were aboard two life rafts floated overnight until rescued by PT-109 and disembarked at Tulagi. Shipwreck The shipwreck of Northampton is located at a depth of 2,130' / 649.2m. On February 27, 2018 and January 23, 2019 surveyed by RV Petrel using an ROV (ROV) that took digital photos of features of the shipwreck. Awards For her World War II service, Northampton earned six battle stars. Memorials The most senior officer killed in the Battle of Tassafaronga was Chief Engineer, Commander Hilan Ebert who earned the Navy Cross, posthumously. He remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA) and is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also memorialized at Arlington National Cemetery section MF, site 46-B-1. He has another memorial marker at Fairmount Memorial Park in Alliance, OH. Destroyer escort USS Ebert (DE-768) was launched May 11, 1944 sponsored by his widow Mrs. Hilan Ebert. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Early Raids in the Pacific Ocean February 1 to March 10, 1942 Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabau1, Wake and Marcus, Lae and Salamaua pages 3, 4, 16-20 (map February 1, 1942), 23, 42, 44-47, 50, 53, 54, 55 (map February 24, 1942) Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - U.S.S. Northampton (CA26) Loss in Action 30 November 1942 Battle of Lunga Point NavSource - USS Northampton (CA-26) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Hilan Ebert FindAGrave - LCDR Hilan Verle “Ebe” Ebert (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - LCDR Hilan Verle Ebert (photo, ANC memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - CDR Hilan Verle Ebert (Navy Cross citation, Fairmount Memorial Park photo) Contribute
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 Map Nov 30, 1942 Map Iron Bottom Sound  2,130' / 649m  Photo Archive |
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