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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 81196:  USS Philadelphia off New York City, 1939

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

USS Philadelphia (CL-41), 1937-1951

USS Philadelphia, a 9700-ton Brooklyn class light cruiser built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard was commissioned in September 1937. She served in the Atlantic area until mid-1939, then spent nearly two years in the Pacific. In May 1938, Philadelphia carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt on a Caribbean cruise and, in the spring of 1939, took part in the New York World's Fair. After returning to the Atlantic in June 1941, the cruiser was employed on Neutrality Patrols and "short of war" operations as relations with Germany became increasingly hostile.

Philadelphia continued her patrol and escort activities after the United States entered World War II in December 1941. She shepherded two convoys to Scotland in mid-1942 and was flagship of the Southern Attack Group during the invasion of North Africa in November of that year. During 1943, Philadelphia escorted more trans-Atlantic convoys and provided gunfire support and anti-aircraft protection during the invasions of Sicily in July and Salerno in September. During the latter operation, her six-inch guns destroyed several German tanks that threatened the beachhead.

In 1944, Philadelphia took part in the Anzio operation between February and May, and the invasion of Southern France in August, frequently using her guns against enemy targets. In July and August of 1945 she escorted USS Augusta as that ship carried President Harry S. Truman to and from the Potsdam Conference. Later in the year, she transported U.S. service personnel home from Europe as part of Operation "Magic Carpet".

Inactive after the beginning of 1946, Philadelphia was formally decommissioned in February 1947. As part of an effort to enhance the defenses of America's Cold War partners, she was sold to Brazil early in 1951 and reactivated at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Renamed Barroso, the cruiser served in the Brazilian Navy for more than two decades. She was scrapped in 1973.

This page features selected views of USS Philadelphia (CL-41).


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 42610

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, on 22 October 1937.

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

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 81196

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


Anchored in the Hudson River, off New York City, 1939.

Donation of Lieutenant Gustave J. Freret, USN (Retired), 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 465 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 90213

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


At Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 9 April 1942.
USS Munargo (AP-20) is in the upper left background.

Courtesy of Charles N. Dragonette, 1979.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 143KB; 740 x 585 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-63791

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


In New York Harbor, 26 April 1943.
A "Liberty" ship is in the background, with a crated deck cargo.

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

Online Image: 118KB; 740 x 585 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-63794

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


Off New York City, 26 April 1943.

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

Online Image: 128KB; 740 x 595 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 19-N-44482

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


Off the New York Navy Yard, 26 April 1943.

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

Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 550 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 97950

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)


Off the New York Navy Yard, 26 April 1943.
Note the sunken ship in the right background.

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

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 540 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 49131

Rear Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt, USN
(front, center)

With his staff on the after deck of USS Philadelphia (CL-41), circa November 1940, at the time he took command of Cruiser Division Eight.
Those present are (from left to right):
Lieutenant Commander George E. Nold, Aide and Flag Secretary;
Lieutenant Commander Cameron Briggs, Aviation Officer and Commanding Officer of Cruiser Scouting Squadron Eight (VCS-8);
Rear Admiral Hewitt;
Lieutenant Philip G. Stokes, Radio Officer; and
Lieutenant Benjamin P. Field, Jr., Aide and Flag Lieutenant.
The ship's after 6"/47 guns are in the immediate background.

Collection of Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 97KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-470060

Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft


Is hoisted on board USS Philadelphia (CL-41), during the North African operation, November 1942.
Note crewmen holding lines to steady the plane as the aircraft crane swings it inboard.
Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

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

Online Image: 89KB; 645 x 675 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-83243

Salerno Operation, September 1943


A U.S. Navy destroyer lays a smoke screen during a "Red Alert" for air attack, off the Salerno invasion beaches in September 1943.
Photographed from the port bridge wing of USS Philadelphia (CL-41).
Note manned and ready 20mm and 40mm guns on Philadelphia and elevated fire control radar antenna and 5"/38 guns on the destroyer.

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

Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 620 pixels

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

 
Photo #: USA C-288 (Color)

Salerno Operation, 1943

USS Philadelphia (CL-41) and a motor minesweeper (YMS) making a smoke screen to cover the landing area from German air attack, circa 9 September 1943.

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 600 pixels

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

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-2014 (Color)

USS Philadelphia (CL-41)

Roman Catholic church services on the ship's after deck, while she was at Algiers, Algeria, circa 1944.
Note the use of the U.S. Ensign and signal flags as a backdrop, and the cruiser's aircraft catapults flanking the ceremonies.

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

Online Image: 127KB; 740 x 530 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 1 May 2002