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Photo # NH 99022:  Raising the National Ensign as USS Spokane goes into commission, 17 May 1946

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

USS Spokane (CL-120), 1946-1973 --
Construction and Commissioning, 1944-1946

USS Spokane was the fourth of five similar light cruisers built during the World War II era by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey. Laid down on 15 November 1944, her construction proceeded rapidly, assisted by prefabrication techniques, and she was launched ten months later, on 22 September 1945. The ship's Sponsor, a native of Spokane, Washington, was the noted Metropolitan Opera soprano Patrice Munsel. Delivered to the Navy after another eight months of outfitting, Spokane was placed in commission at the New York Naval Shipyard on 17 May 1946.

This page features selected views of USS Spokane's construction and commissioning.

For other images of and related to this ship, see:

  • Spokane (CL-120, later CLAA-120 and AG-191), 1946-1973.


    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 99015

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Ship's keel is laid, at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, 15 November 1944.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99016

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Ship's prefabricated bow section is hoisted into place for attachment to her hull, during construction at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, 1945.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 63KB; 580 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99017

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    On the building ways at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey.
    Taken shortly before she was launched on 22 September 1945.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99014

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Ship's Sponsor, Metropolitan Opera star Patrice Munsel, with Navy Captain Hale, at Spokane's christening ceremonies, 22 September 1945.
    The ship was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey.

    Collection of the Society of Sponsors of the U.S. Navy.

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

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99018

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Ship's Sponsor, Metropolitan Opera star Patrice Munsel, christens the ship during launching ceremonies at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, 22 September 1945.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 635 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99019

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Afloat off the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Kearny, New Jersey, immediately after launching, 22 September 1945.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 585 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99021

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Alongside the Hammerhead Pier at the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y., at the beginning of commissioning ceremonies, 17 May 1946.
    Note old ships being scrapped in the drydock at right.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 140KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99022

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    The National Ensign is hoisted as the ship is placed in commission, during ceremonies at the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y., 17 May 1946.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 81KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99023

    USS Spokane
    (CL-120)

    Dignitaries on board during her commissioning ceremonies, at the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y., 17 May 1946.
    Those present are (from left to right):
    Captain Le Merton E. Crist, Jr., Commanding Officer;
    Representative Walt Horan, M.C.;
    Patrice Munsel, Ship's Sponsor;
    Arthur R. Meehan, Mayor of Spokane, Washington; and
    Rear Admiral Francis E.M. Whiting, Commander Naval Base, New York.

    Photograph from the USS Spokane scrapbook, donated by Rear Admiral John M. McIsaac, USN, 1974.

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

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     

    For other images of and related to this ship, see:

  • Spokane (CL-120, later CLAA-120 and AG-191), 1946-1973.


    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 23 December 2003