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Photo # NH 84397:  USS Denver in a South Pacific harbor, circa 1943

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

USS Denver (CL-58), 1942-1960

USS Denver, a 10,000-ton Cleveland class light cruiser, was built at Camden, New Jersey. Commissioned in mid-October 1942, she arrived in the South Pacific war zone in February 1943 and was soon engaged in operations in and around the Solomon Islands. On 6 March, Denver took part in a mission to shell the Japanese base at Vila, Kolombangara, that also resulted in the sinking of two enemy destroyers. Late in June 1943, she bombarded other Japanese facilities and covered the Rendova and New Georgia landings. In addition to furnishing similar support for the Bougainville invasion in November 1943, Denver also participated in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay on the night of 1-2 November. While operating off Bougainville on 13 November, she was hit by an aircraft-launched torpedo that severely damaged the ship and killed twenty of her crewmen.

Repaired and overhauled at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, Denver returned to combat in June 1944, screening aircraft carriers during their strikes in the Marianas and Bonins area and using her guns to bombard Iwo Jima. In September the cruiser took part in the invasion of the Palau Islands. She next covered landings on Leyte and was part of the force that defeated a Japanese surface ship counter-attack in the Battle of Surigao Strait on the night of 24-25 October. During the pursuit phase of that action, she helped sink the enemy destroyer Asagumo.

Denver continued to operate in the Philippines area for the rest of the Pacific War. She covered landings at Mindoro in December 1944, on Luzon in January and February 1945, and later in the southern Philippines. In June 1945 she took part in amphibious attacks on Borneo and, in July and August, participated in anti-shipping raids off China. Following Japan's surrender, Denver supported prisoner of war recovery and occupation efforts. She left the Western Pacific in October 1945, steaming to the U.S. East Coast for overhaul. During early 1946 the cruiser was employed in Naval Reserve training missions. Decommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in February 1947, she was part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until March 1959, when she was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. USS Denver was sold for scrapping in February 1960.

This page features, and provides links to, selected views related to USS Denver (CL-58) and her World War II actions and activities.

For other images related to USS Denver, see:

  • USS Denver (CL-58) -- Actions and Activities.


    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 #: 19-N-39431

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Underway, circa December 1942.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 84397

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    In a South Pacific harbor, circa 1943.
    Note signal flags drying on her foremast halyards.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 84398

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    In a South Pacific harbor, circa 1943.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98089

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following an overhaul, 3 May 1944.
    She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 3d.

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

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98090

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following an overhaul, 3 May 1944.
    She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 3d.

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

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98091

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following an overhaul, 3 May 1944.
    She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 3d.

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

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98092

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul, 3 May 1944.
    She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 3d.

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

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98093

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Photographed from a crane at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul, 1 May 1944.
    This view looks aft along the port side, from just off the bow. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.
    Denver appears to be flying her Union Jack at half-staff.
    Note the log and rather dirty water between the ship and the pier.

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

    Online Image: 111KB; 605 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98094

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Photographed from a crane at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul, 1 May 1944.
    This view looks aft along the port side, with Denver's forward superstructure in the foreground. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.
    Note gun directors: a Mark 37 with antenna for a Mark 4 radar on top of the pilothouse; with a Mark 34 with antenna for a Mark 8 radar located just in front of the foremast.

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

    Online Image: 137KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98095

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Photographed from a crane at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul, 1 May 1944.
    This view looks aft along the port side, with the ship's after smokestack at left. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.
    Note gratings around the 20mm gun in lower center; spare 40mm gun barrels on the deck beside the 40mm quad gun mounting in lower left; Mark 34 Gun Director with antenna for a Mark 8 radar and Mark 37 Gun Director with antenna for a Mark 4 radar atop the after superstructure.

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

    Online Image: 155KB; 605 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98096

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Photographed from a crane at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul, 1 May 1944.
    This view looks aft along the port side, with Denver's after superstructure at left. Circles mark recent alterations to the ship.
    Note periscope atop the fire control station at left and open hangar at the stern.

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

    Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 84393

    USS Denver (CL-58)


    Sliding into the water, during her launching at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard, Camden, New Jersey, on 4 April 1942.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 605 x 765 pixels

     

    For other images related to USS Denver, see:

  • USS Denver (CL-58) -- Actions and Activities.


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


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    Page made 8 October 2002