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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 46130:  USS Milwaukee in a Pacific port, circa mid-1923

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

USS Milwaukee (CL-5), 1923-1949

USS Milwaukee, a 7050-ton Omaha class light cruiser built at Tacoma, Washington, was commissioned in June 1923. Shortly afterwards she made a shakedown cruise across the Pacific to Australia, and on the way gathered oceanographic data using new sonic depth-sounding equipment. For nearly two decades afterwards, Milwaukee served in both the Atlantic and Pacific areas. Among her activities during this time were participation in hurricane relief activities in Cuba in October 1926, cruises in Asiatic waters in the late 1920s and in 1938, locating the Atlantic Ocean's greatest depth in February 1939, and taking part in Neutrality Patrol work during the early 1940s.

In mid-1941, as the United States moved closer to hostilities with Germany, Milwaukee became part of a newly-formed patrol force in the South Atlantic. Operating out of Brazil, she remained in this assignment for nearly three years, with a brief break early in 1942 when she escorted a convoy to the South Pacific. In May 1942, Milwaukee helped to salvage the torpedoed Brazilian merchant ship Comandante Lyra. She was also closely involved with the interception and destruction of the German blockade runner Annaliese Essberger on 21 November 1942.

Milwaukee left the South Atlantic in February 1944 and escorted a convoy from New York to the United Kingdom. In March and April she was part of a British convoy that sailed to Murmansk, on the north coast of Russia. Soon after her arrival there, Milwaukee was transferred under lend-lease to the Soviet Navy, which renamed her Murmansk and operated her through the rest of World War II, and beyond. Finally, in mid-March 1949, the now-obsolete cruiser was returned to the United States. Immediately laid up at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, USS Milwaukee was sold for scrapping in late 1949.

This page features selected views of USS Milwaukee (CL-5).


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 #: NH 46130

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


In a Pacific Ocean port during her shakedown cruise, circa mid-1923.
Note the outrigger canoe in the foreground.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 590 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 64613

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Flying a "Homeward Bound" pennant at Yokohama, Japan, on 13 May 1929.

Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97979

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Photographed circa the early 1930s.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 560 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97980

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Photographed by Tai Sing Loo in Pearl Harbor, circa the middle or later 1930s.

Courtesy of the USS Milwaukee Shipmates Association.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-27088

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Off the New York Navy Yard, 7 January 1942.

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

Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 545 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 19-N-51513

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Off New York City, circa August 1943.

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

Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 580 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 71458

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Off Lewes, Delaware, on 16 March 1949, just after she was returned to the U.S. Navy by the Soviet Union. She had served as the Soviet Navy ship Murmansk since April 1944.
By the time this photograph was taken, Milwaukee had been repainted to remove the Soviet-style white waterline stripe.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 72KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 85126

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Launches a torpedo during exercises, circa 1925.

Courtesy of Mrs. Donald Shull, 1976.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 64614

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


The ship's two starboard 3"/50 anti-aircraft guns in action during target practice, 5 December 1928.
Notice the framework around the guns to prevent firing into the ship's superstructure.

Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 64618

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Sailors working on the ship's propellers, while she was in the Dewey Drydock at the Olongapo Naval Station, Philippine Islands, 25 February 1929.

Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 600 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 64616

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


Water flows aft over the bow as the cruiser makes a stormy passage from Manila to Hong Kong, 6 March 1929.
View was taken from the foremast, with the ship's forward twin 6"/53 gun turret in the foreground.

Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 85KB; 595 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-27091

USS Milwaukee (CL-5)


View looking aft from the bow, taken off the New York Navy Yard on 7 January 1942.
Note details of the ship's forward superstructure and forecastle. Numbers identify recently installed items.

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

Online Image: 90KB; 590 x 765 pixels

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

 


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


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Page made 2 July 2002