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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 97335:  USS Worcester testing her anti-nuclear radiation washdown system, 7 July 1954

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

USS Worcester (CL-144), 1948-1972

USS Worcester, lead ship of a class of two 14,700-ton light cruisers built at Camden, New Jersey, was commissioned in June 1948. After a year of service in the western Atlantic, she deployed to the Mediterranean Sea during September-December 1949 for the first of seven Sixth Fleet tours. Worcester returned to the "Med" in May 1950, but this cruise was cut short by the outbreak of the Korean War in late June. Accompanied by four destroyers, she transited the Suez Canal on 29 July 1950, en route to the Far East.

From late August to late October 1950, Worcester operated with the Seventh Fleet off Korea, escorting Task Force 77's aircraft carriers and using her six-inch guns to bombard enemy targets in support of the Inchon Invasion and the Wonsan Landings. The cruiser returned to the U.S. east coast in late November, having steamed around the World on this extended deployment. During the next half decade, Worcester made five more trips to the Mediterranean and, on two occasions, also visited ports in northern Europe.

Worcester was transferred to the Pacific Fleet in January 1956, subsequently going twice to the Western Pacific for Seventh Fleet service. She decommissioned at Mare Island, California, in December 1958, joining the Reserve Fleet there. Later shifted to Bremerton, Washington, Worcester remained in "mothballs" until December 1970, when she was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. She was sold for scrapping in July 1972.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Worcester (CL-144).


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 97333

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 24 June 1948, two days before she was commissioned.
Several civilian tugs are alongside.

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

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97334

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Off San Juan, Puerto Rico, circa 1949-51.
A HO3S helicopter is flying overhead.

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

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 91832

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Underway in the Mediterranean with other ships of the Sixth Fleet, June 1950.

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

Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97336

USS Worcester (CL-144)


"reposes at anchor among the gondolas in the harbor at Venice, Italy." (Quoted from the original caption).
Photograph is dated 13 December 1951.

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

Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 590 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 91831

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Underway, with her crew at quarters during Memorial Day services, 31 May 1952.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 159KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97335

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Testing her anti-nuclear radiation "washdown" system, 7 July 1954.
The original caption reads: "USS Worcester ... steaming under a protective water screen during atomic defense maneuvers. The ship employs its salt water system to cleanse itself of radioactive debris resulting from an atomic attack. The water carrying the radioactive debris is shown being discharged into the sea."

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

Online Image: 148KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97337

USS Worcester (CL-144)


"A powder charge is carried to the lift to be carried from the magazine to mount" (quoted from the original caption).
This view, taken during the later 1940s or during the 1950s, shows crewmen handling propellant charges for her 6"/47 guns.
The Photograph is credited to Lt. E.C. Hayes, PIO, MSTS Pac.

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

Online Image: 118KB; 595 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97338

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Takes blue water over the bow, as ice forms on board during North Atlantic operations, circa 1948-50.
Original print bears a date stamp of 4 April 1950.

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

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97339

USS Worcester (CL-144)


Tied up at Long Beach, California, in October 1956.
USS Helena (CA-75) is in the left background.

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

Online Image: 84KB; 615 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: USN 1143678

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington


Ships laid up in reserve at Bremerton, 19 March 1970. They are, from left to right: USS Fort Marion (LSD-22), USS Missouri (BB-63), USS Roanoke (CL-145) and USS Worcester (CL-144).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 510 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-N-1143678.

 



In addition to the views presented above, the following pictures show USS Worcester at a distance, and show her helicopter aboard another ship:

  • Photo # NH 88082: View of ships, USS Worcester among them, in reserve at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, July 1960.

  • Photo # NH 88083: Same subject as NH 88082.

  • Photo # 80-G-420957: Helicopter from USS Worcester on board USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), October 1950.

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


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    Page made 20 September 2000
    Link corrected and coding updated 8 June 2006