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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

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

USS Missouri (BB-63), On Board Views while the Ship was Underway, 1944-1945

During Missouri's shakedown period in the Summer of 1944, a talented (but unidentified) photographer was assigned to record life and activities on board the ship. His work includes dozens of high-quality color photographs, the broadest coverage of World War II U.S. Navy shipboard life that is known to exist in that medium. A smaller group of good color shipboard photos was taken in October 1945, as Missouri was returning to the U. S. east coast from the Pacific. Many of these images are presented on this page and on the other pages linked from it.

This page features views taken on board USS Missouri in 1944-45, while she was underway. It also provides links to other images taken on board the ship during those years.

For additional color and black & white views taken on board USS Missouri in 1944-45, see:
USS Missouri, Command & Navigation;
USS Missouri, Ordnance Maintenance & Operation;
USS Missouri, Aviation;
USS Missouri, Exterior Views of Shipboard Work and Life and
USS Missouri, Interior Views of Shipboard Work and Life.

For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page: USS Missouri, Selected Views.
That page's "Actions and Activities" section features links to additional on board views, including other World War II color photographs.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

Photo #: 80-G-K-4540 (Color)

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Several harbor tugs push Missouri into the channel as she gets underway during her shakedown period in mid-1944.
The battleship's crew is paraded on deck for morning roll call.
Tugs present include four U.S. Navy YTs and two commercial tugs, with the Wood Towing Corporation's tug Camel closest to the camera.
Note marking atop Missouri's second 16-inch gun turret, indentifying the 40mm gun mount on its top as 40mm mount # 1. Those on the bow, ahead of the turrets, are marked as numbers 18 (port side) and 17 (starboard side).

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

Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-4542 (Color)

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Leadsman taking soundings, as the battleship enters port during her shakedown cruise, circa August 1944.
Note line handler assisting the leadsman and talker standing by.

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

Online Image: 64KB; 580 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-4533 (Color)

USS Missouri (BB-63)


View along the battleship's port side, during a high-speed run while on her shakedown cruise, circa August 1944.

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

Online Image: 76KB; 575 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-5584 (Color)

USS Alaska (CB-1)


Maneuvers in front of USS Missouri (BB-63) during their shakedown cruise, circa August 1944.

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

Online Image: 98KB; 485 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-5583 (Color)

USS Alaska (CB-1)


Photographed from atop a 5"/38 gun mount on USS Missouri (BB-63) during their shakedown cruise, Summer 1944.

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

Online Image: 47KB; 740 x 580 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-14527 (Color)

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Signal flags flying from her port halyards during her shakedown cruise, circa August 1944.

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

Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 510 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-4571 (Color)

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Signal flags flying from her port side halyards, as the battleship speeds along during her shakedown cruise, circa August 1944.
Note 5"/38 twin gun mounts below.

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

Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

For additional color and black & white views taken on board USS Missouri in 1944-45, see:
USS Missouri, Command & Navigation;
USS Missouri, Ordnance Maintenance & Operation;
USS Missouri, Aviation;
USS Missouri, Exterior Views of Shipboard Work and Life and
USS Missouri, Interior Views of Shipboard Work and Life.

For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page: USS Missouri, Selected Views.
That page's "Actions and Activities" section features links to additional on board views, including other World War II color photographs.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

11 February 1999