USS HELENA (CL-50)



OFFICIAL ACTION REPORT FOR DECEMBER 7, 1941

As Helena was moored inboard of Oglala along 1010 Dock, both ships were initially mistaken by Hiryu pilots to be one large battleship, rather than two separate smaller vessels, and were thusly attacked. Passing underneath Oglala, a torpedo impacted Helena's starboard side amidships; the resulting explosion damaged Helena, but the concussion damaged Oglala far worse. Although several other Hiryu pilots dropped on Helena she only suffered the one intial hit, and her gunners threw up a tremendous volume of AA fire throughout the attack. Helena was lost on the evening of July 6, 1943, in the Battle of Kula Gulf.


SHIPS DATA

NAME:

Helena

HULL NUMBER:

CL-50

DIMENSIONS:

Displacement: 9,700 tons (design), 13,000 tons (full load)

Waterline Length: 600'

Length Overall: 608'

Maximum Beam: 61' 5"

Maximum Draft: 20'

ARMAMENT:

15 × 6"/47 cal (triple mountings)

8 × 5"/38 cal (dual mountings)

8 × .50cal machine guns (single mountings)

MACHINERY:

Engines: Westinghouse geared turbines

Boilers: 8 Babcock & Wilcox

Horsepower: 100,000 SHP

Speed: 32.5 knots

PROTECTION:

Side Belt: 1.5"- 5"

Decks: 3"

Turrets: 3"- 5"

Conning Tower: 8"

AIRCRAFT:

4

COMPLEMENT:

868 (normal)

1,200 (wartime)


PHOTO GALLERY

PERSONAL ACCOUNT FROM SURVIVOR
PORT VIEW
STARBOARD VIEW, AFT
CLOSEUP OF SUPERSTRUCTURE
STARBOARD QUARTER, DOCKED
UNDERWAY, PORT QUARTER
STARBOARD VIEW, UNDERWAY
CLOSEUP OF FORWARD TURRETS
AFT CLOSEUP, DURING REFIT
AMIDSHIPS DETAILS
STARBOARD VIEW



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