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Photo # NH 96655:  USS Atlanta off the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, circa late 1964

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Atlanta (IX-304, formerly CL-104), 1964-1970

In mid-May 1964 the stricken light cruiser Atlanta (CL-104) was reinstated on the Naval Vessel Register and redesignated IX-304. Taken to the Naval Shipyard at Hunter's Point, San Francisco, she was converted to a weapons effects test ship for use in the upcoming Operation "Sailor Hat" explosive experiments. This work involved removing her armament and superstructure, fitting two new aluminum deckhouses similar to those of modern guided missile frigates (DLG), and installing a large number of radar antennas and other electronic devices of types then used in the fleet. She also received extensive instrumentation to record the effects of nearby high-intensity explosions.

In her new configuration Atlanta returned to service in late 1964 and steamed to Pearl Harbor. After experiencing three very large conventional explosions off Kahoolawe, Hawaii, during February-June 1965 she went back to the West Coast and was laid up once more late in that year. Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register for the second time in April 1970, Atlanta was sunk as a target off Slan Clemente Island, California, on 1 October 1970.

This page features, and provides links to, nearly all the views we have related to USS Atlanta (IX-304).

For more images concerning this ship, see:

  • USS Atlanta (CL-104), 1944-1970;
  • USS Atlanta (IX-304) -- Views on board the Ship; and
  • Operation "Sailor Hat" Explosive Tests, February-June 1965.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: USN 1106648

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    In San Francisco Bay, California, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship, 13 November 1964.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 620 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1106648.

     
    Photo #: USN 1106649

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    In San Francisco Bay, California, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship, 13 November 1964. The Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard is in the left background.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 625 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1106649.

     
    Photo #: USN 1106652

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    In San Francisco Bay, California, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship, 13 November 1964.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1106652.

     
    Photo #: USN 1106654

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    Underway in San Francisco Bay, California, 13 November 1964, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship. The Bay Bridge and Goat Island are visible in the distance.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 620 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1106654.

     
    Photo #: NH 96655

    USS Atlanta
    (IX-304)

    Off the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, California, following conversion to a weapons effects test ship, circa late 1964.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     
    Photo #: USN 1110495

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    Enters Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 10 January 1965, while en route to serve as a target in Operation "Sailor Hat" explosion effects tests.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1110495.

     
    Photo #: USN 1112707

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    At the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, 2 October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 100KB; 635 x 715 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1112707.

     
    Photo #: NH 98881

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    At the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship.
    The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "A unique silhouette prevails on the old cruiser USS Atlanta (CL-104). Now designated IX-304 (miscellaneous unclassified) she boasts two guided missile frigate deck houses, a variety of missile launchers, radar masts and antennas, all equipped with shock measurement devices."

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98882

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    At the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship.
    The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "The various masts and antennas that will be subjected to the blast tests cover the forecastle of the Atlanta. This equipment is primarily the type used in the fleet today."

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 127KB; 600 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98883

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    Seen from astern, at the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship.
    The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "Either way you look at it you face the front of the Atlanta, or so it seems. One of the experimental ship's two DLG (guided missile frigate) deck houses faces forward while the other points aft over the fantail."

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 103KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98884

    USS Atlanta (IX-304)


    At the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship.
    The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "The two DLG (guided missile frigate) deck houses and masts on the cruiser hull are the most unique feature about Atlanta. Although both deck units are of the type in use today, and are of aluminum construction, the forward one is specifically designed for blast resistance."

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     

    For more images concerning this ship, see:

  • USS Atlanta (CL-104), 1944-1970;
  • USS Atlanta (IX-304) -- Views on board the Ship; and
  • Operation "Sailor Hat" Explosive Tests, February-June 1965.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 11 October 2003
    New image added 27 October 2003