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Photo # NH 98547:  USS Providence framed by the U.S. Ensign, circa the early 1970s

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

USS Providence (CLG-6, later CG-6. Previously CL-82), 1945-1980

In May 1957 the twelve-year-old light cruiser USS Providence (CL-82) was reclassified as a guided-missile light cruiser (CLG-6). Taken out of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, she soon began conversion at the Boston Naval Shipyard, Massachusetts. This massive project stripped away all but one each of her four six-inch gun turrets and six five-inch gun mounts, as well as virtually all of her original superstructure. In their place, the ship was given a twin-armed launcher for the newly-developed "Terrier" guided missiles, a large missile magazine and associated control systems. A greatly-enlarged superstructure, enhanced radars and extensive communications electronics were also installed to fit the cruiser for employment as a fleet flagship. Providence was recommissioned in September 1959 and joined the Pacific Fleet in July 1960.

In October 1960 Providence steamed across the Pacific to begin her first Far Eastern deployment, which lasted until March 1961. She returned to Asian waters in May 1962 to become flagship of the Seventh Fleet. Homeported at Yokosuka, Japan, she remained in that job for more than two years, until July 1964, then cruised back to the U.S. by way of Australia and the southern Pacific. Providence's third Seventh Fleet tour of duty, her second as flagship, took place between December 1966 and December 1968. In an era dominated by the conflict in Southeast Asia, she was frequently called upon to operate off Vietnam, where her advanced electronics were employed to control air combat operations, while her guns shelled enemy targets ashore. During the Tet offensive, in February 1968, she provided bombardment support for the U.S. Marines' intense fight to recapture the city of Hue. Shortly before that, in January 1968, she made a fast run north to Korean waters in response to the seizure of the U.S. intelligence-gathering ship Pueblo.

During the early 1970s Providence served as flagship of the U.S. First Fleet, operating in the eastern Pacific. However, North Vietnam's 1972 offensive sent her back to the Far East in April. For nearly all of the rest of that year she delivered six and five-inch gunfire against enemy forces, including a number of raids against the port of Haiphong and other areas in North Vietnam. Returning to the U.S. in December 1972, Providence almost immediately began preparations for inactivation. She was decommissioned at San Diego, California, at the end of August 1973 and placed in reserve. Later towed to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, at Bremerton, Washington, she was redesignated CG-6 in mid-1975 but had no further active service. USS Providence was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in July 1978 and sold for scrapping in 1980.

This page features, and provides links to, nearly all the views we have related to USS Providence (CLG-6) as a guided missile cruiser.

For more images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Providence (CL-82);
  • USS Providence (CLG-6) -- Inclining Experiment Views; and
  • USS Providence (CLG-6) -- National Archives Photos.


    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 98541

    USS Providence (CLG-6)


    Underway on 6 June 1966.
    Photographed by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class W.L. Washabaugh, USN.

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

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98547

    USS Providence (CLG-6)


    Framed by the U.S. Ensign while underway in a harbor, circa the early 1970s.
    The original print was received in 1973.

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

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 94735-KN (Color)

    USS Providence (CLG-6)

    Watercolor by Arthur Beaumont, 1965.

    Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 124KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98548

    USS Providence (CLG-6)


    Ship's Commanding Officer, Captain B.D. Voegelin, points out the "E" award, with one hashmark, on her Mark 9 "Terrier" guided missile launcher, 2 May 1962. Looking on is Rear Admiral K.L. Veth, Commander Mine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander Naval Base Los Angeles. As a Captain, Veth was Providence's first Commanding Officer when she was commissioned in 1959.
    The hashmark represents the second missile "E" won by Providence in two years of Fleet competition. In her first year she won the Cruiser Battle Efficiency "E" and the Margorie Sterret Battleship Award for the most outstanding cruiser in the Pacific Fleet.
    Photographed at Long Beach, California.

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

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98674

    USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5)


    is moved alongside USS Providence (CLG-6) at Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan, 7 July 1964. Vice Admiral Roy L. Johnson, Commander Seventh Fleet, and his flag staff were moving from Providence to Oklahoma City at the conclusion of the former's first tour as fleet flagship.
    Photographed by PHAN R.L. White, USN.

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

    Online Image: 134KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: USN 1104112

    Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan


    Harbor tugs move USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) alongside USS Providence (CLG-6) for change of Seventh Fleet flagship, 7 July 1964. Commander Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral Roy L. Johnson, transferred his flag and staff from Providence to Oklahoma City at the conclusion of the former's first tour as Fleet flagship.
    Note LCU-637 and several harbor tugs on the wharf, at left; large dockyard cranes; tunnels in the cliff in the background; and the large number of automobiles on board Oklahoma City.

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

    Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1104112.

     
    Photo #: NH 98549

    Entertainer Bob Hope
    (center)

    And other platform guests render honors as the "Star Spangled Banner" is played during ceremonies held to present the Distinguished Public Service Award to Mr. Hope, 11 January 1971.
    The ceremony took place at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, on the pier beside the First Fleet flagship, USS Providence (CLG-6).
    Secretary of the Navy John Chafee is second from left.
    Taken by Photographer's Mate First Class William B. Fair.

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

    Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98550

    U.S. Marine guard


    On duty beside the First Fleet flagship, USS Providence (CLG-6), at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, 11 January 1971. A ceremony was then underway on the pier, presenting the Distinguished Public Service Award to entertainer Bob Hope.
    Taken by Photographer's Mate First Class William B. Fair.

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

    Online Image: 120KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: USN 1149442

    USS Providence (CLG-6)


    Underway in Puget Sound after her visit to Seattle, Washington, for the Seafair, August 1971.

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

    Online Image: 123KB; 585 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1149442.

     
    Photo #: NH 70153-KN (Color)

    Insignia: USS Providence (CLG-6)

    Cloth jacket patch featuring the ship's emblem, as used during the 1960s.

    Courtesy of Captain G.F. Swainson, USN, 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 169KB; 650 x 675 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 102467-KN (Color)

    Insignia of USS Providence (CLG-6)

    Plaque received in 1984, featuring an insignia of 1960s vintage.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 125KB; 620 x 675 pixels

     

    For more images related to this ship, see:

  • USS Providence (CL-82);
  • USS Providence (CLG-6) -- Inclining Experiment Views; and
  • USS Providence (CLG-6) -- National Archives Photos.


    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 20 June 2003
    New image added 12 October 2006