uss monitor uss monitor iron steamship built american_civil_war ironclad warship commissioned union navy monitor famous central role battle roads march command lieutenant john fought ironclad virginia built hull steam frigate uss unique design ship distinguished revolving turret designed american inventor quickly established monitor type warship remainder ship designed swedish born engineer inventor john built brooklyn days monitor presented new concept ship design employed variety new innovations ship building caught attention world impetus build monitor prompted news building ironclad warship named virginia effectively engage union ships blockading roads james river leading richmond ultimately advance washington cities virtually monitor reach roads confederate ironclad destroyed sail frigates uss cumberland uss congress run steam frigate uss minnesota aground night monitor arrived following morning virginia finish minnesota new union ironclad confronted confederate ship preventing destruction wooden union ships hour battle ensued ships pounding close range cannon fire ship destroy seriously damage battle fought armored warships marked turning point naval warfare forced destroy virginia withdrew early monitor sailed james river support union_army peninsula campaign ship participated battle bluff later month remained area giving support general forces land ordered join north_carolina december way tow storm cape_hatteras day year monitor wreck discovered partially salvaged guns gun turret engine relics display museum newport news virginia conception concept ships protected armor existed advent ironclad monitor need iron plating ships arose shell firing cannon introduced naval warfare 1820s use heavy iron plating sides warships practical steam propulsion matured carry great weight developments gun technology progressed 1840s practical thickness wood withstand power shell response united_states began construction steam powered ironclad warship stevens battery work delayed designer robert stevens died work pressing need ship time little demand continue work unfinished vessel france introduced operational armored ships shell guns rifled cannons experience war showed armored ships withstand repeated hits significant damage french ironclad floating batteries defeated russian coastal fortifications battle claimed sent french emperor iii proposal monitor type design gun turret september record submission found archives french ministry navy marine searched naval historian james iii french followed ships ocean going ironclad armored frigate british responded hms warrior union navy attitude ironclads changed quickly learned converting captured uss ironclad naval shipyard norfolk virginia subsequently urgency monitor completion deployment roads driven fears confederate ironclad renamed virginia capable union ships cities coast northern newspapers published daily accounts progress converting ironclad prompted union navy complete deploy monitor soon possible word reconstruction conversion confirmed north late february mary norfolk freed slave worked confederate engineers working way confederate lines news building ironclad warship concealed dress message union worked navy yard warning renamed virginia nearing completion arrival washington mary managed meet secretary navy informed nearing completion ironclad surprised convinced papers mary carrying production monitor sped later recorded memoirs encountered small risk bringing information approval united_states received word construction virginia congress appropriated million august build armored ordered creation board designs proposed armored ships union navy advertised proposals iron clad steam vessels war august appointed senior officers ironclad board following day task examine plans completion iron clad vessels consider costs originally submission board involved sponsor proposal armored sloop uss needed design reviewed naval board required guarantee ship float despite weight armor new_york_city recommended consult friend met september following day time evaluate design second meeting showed model design future monitor derived design got permission model told board review unusual design board skeptical concerned vessel float especially rough seas rejected proposal completely iron laden ship president lincoln examined design overruled assured board ship float sea shall ride shall live like duck september board accepted proposal ironclad board evaluated different designs recommended september including monitor design ironclad ships selected differed substantially design degree risk monitor innovative design virtue low shallow draft iron hull total dependence steam power element design rotating gun turret previously tested navy guarantee delivery days proved decisive choosing design despite risk involved design description monitor unusual vessel respect described press critics yankee prominent feature vessel large cylindrical gun turret mounted amidships low upper hull called extended past sides lower traditionally shaped hull small armored pilot house fitted upper deck bow position prevented monitor firing guns straight forward prime goals designing ship present smallest possible target enemy gunfire ship feet long overall beam feet inches maximum draft feet inches monitor tons displaced long tons crew consisted officers enlisted men ship powered single cylinder horizontal steam engine designed drove foot propeller shaft inches diameter engine steam generated horizontal fire tube boilers maximum pressure psi kpa cm2 indicated horsepower engine designed ship speed knots mph monitor knots mph slower service engine bore inches stroke inches ship carried long tons coal ventilation vessel supplied near stern powered horsepower steam engine fan circulated air ship forced air boilers depended forced draught leather belts connected engines stretch wet fans boilers ship pumps steam operated water accumulate ship pumps steam work monitor turret measured diameter high constructed inches armor inches gun ports rendering overall vessel somewhat heavy rounded shape helped cannon shot pair engines rotated turret set gears rotation seconds testing february fine control turret proved difficult engine placed reverse turret mark rotation way turret gun ports guns use withdrawn battle heavy iron port swing place close including guns turret weighed approximately long tons entire weight rested iron wedge turret rotate inches diameter gave times strength needed preventing turret sliding sideways use turret rested brass ring deck intended form watertight seal service proved leak heavily despite crew gap turret deck proved problem debris shell fragments entered gap jammed turrets class monitors turret design battle charleston harbor april direct hits turret heavy shot potential bend jam turret gain access turret powder shot battle turret rotate facing directly starboard line entry hatch floor turret opening deck roof turret lightly built facilitate needed exchange ship guns improve ventilation gravity holding roof plates place turret intended mount pair inch guns ready time inch guns substituted gun weighed approximately pounds monitor guns standard charge pounds specified ordnance targets distant near ordinary established gun designer fire pound round shot shell range yards elevation armored deck inches waterline protected layers inch wrought iron armor sides consisted layers inch iron plates backed inches pine oak plates extended inch height plates extend way originally intended use inch plates single outer inch plate backed inch plates thicker plate required time roll plates outer plates inner ones ninth plate inch thick inches wide butt joints layer armor glass deck provided natural light interior ship action covered iron plates duel ironclads roads concern navy officials witnessed battle monitor design allow easy boarding letter dated april lieutenant commander wrote lieutenant wise assistant inspector ordnance advising use liquid fire water boiler pipes sprayed window repel enemy wise aboard inspected monitor battle responded letter april reference monitor moment jumped board fight saw steam men taken upper seconds hear hot water pipes arranged dare set foot chance employ tactic arose conflicting accounts anti personnel provision installed construction commodore joseph smith chief bureau yards docks sent formal notice acceptance proposal september days later signed contract john john stated partners equally share profits losses incurred construction ironclad major delay signing actual contract government insisted monitor didn prove complete success builders cent government provision persuaded partners sign navy rejected attempt amend contract contract finally signed october price paid installments work progressed preliminary work begun date consortium contracted thomas continental iron works brooklyn october construction monitor hull keel laid day turret built assembled novelty iron works manhattan shipped ship steam engines machinery constructed iron works manhattan chief engineer served aboard appointed superintendent ship undergoing construction formally assigned crew remained aboard inspector maiden voyage battle construction progressed fits starts plagued number short delays delivery iron occasional shortages cash significantly delay ship progress weeks days allotted construction passed january navy chose consortium monitor meaning proposed january approved assistant secretary navy fox stood deck defiance critics thought float monitor launched january cheers watching crowd bet ship sink straight commissioned february monitor commissioned ran unsuccessful set sea trials february valve problems main engine fan engines prevented reaching brooklyn navy yard towed day issues easily fixed monitor ordered sail roads february departure delayed day load ammunition morning february ship entered east river preparatory leaving new_york proved towed navy yard examination steering gear controlling rudder installed offered rudder estimated day preferred revise steering gear adding extra set believed time modification proved successful trials march gunnery trials successfully performed previous day twice nearly caused disasters understand mechanism worked carriage inch guns instead reduce firing guns struck turret fortunately hurting anybody damaging guns revolutionary turret flaws unique concept gun mounting soon adapted naval ships world monitor design employed patented completely different naval warship time monitor experimental craft needed constructed immediately sea number problems discovered maiden voyage roads battle monitor able challenge virginia prevent destroying remaining ships union flotilla blockading roads boom time civil war fortune monitor instead gave government monitor patent rights saying contribution glorious union cause crew monitor crew volunteers totaled officers enlisted men warship required officers commander executive officer engineers medical officer masters allowed select assemble commit crew monitor vessel completed original officers time monitor commissioning officers line responsible handling vessel operation guns battle engineering officers considered class unto monitor turret supervised loading firing inch gun men battle men present turret report january stated believed men officers maximum number turret allowed crew work getting way monitor required petty officers daniel nephew selected serve captain clerk black americans enlisted men crew monitor service commanders officers replaced injuries reasons living quarters senior officers consisted separate furnished provided small oak table chair oil lamp shelves canvas floor covering covered entire crew given goat skin sleep lighting living area provided small deck covered iron hatch battle officer located forward berth deck officers eat meals hold meetings little spare time furnished oriental large oak table items personally paid costs officer details monitor history insights everyday crew life discovered correspondence sent crew members family friends serving aboard ironclad particular correspondence george sent letters referred monitor chronicles wife martha entire time monitor service provide details insights chapter ironclad short lived history offering rare perspective sailor experience naval civil war letters acting william wife anna accounts affairs took place aboard monitor letters available viewing housed museum virginia crew members interviewed later life like louis crew members abandon monitor minutes sank storm sea surviving crew member monitor lived 20th century service march ship departed new_york bound fort monroe virginia towed ocean going low accompanied seal turret hull ignoring advice position stuffed sail cloth gap rising seas night washed away water poured underneath turret ventilation pipes funnels belts ventilation boiler fans fell fires boilers nearly extinguished course day created toxic atmosphere engine room knocked engine room crew assistant engineer newton ordered engine room abandoned able bodied crew drag afflicted engine room hands turret fresh air revive newton worked desperately work succumbed taken able punch hole fan box drain water restart fan later night wheel ropes controlling ship rudder jammed making near impossible control ship heading rough seas monitor danger signaled low help monitor towed waters closer shore able restart engines later evening rounded cape charles march entered chesapeake_bay reaching roads day fighting battle roads concluded battle roads march virginia commanded commander franklin ready engage union flotilla blockading james river virginia powered original engines condemned union navy capture ship chief engineer served civil war broke knew engine pushed forward slow moving virginia attacked union blockading squadron roads virginia destroying sail frigates cumberland congress early battle steam frigate uss minnesota ran aground attempting engage virginia remained stranded battle virginia unable attack minnesota daylight faded day severely wounded leg relieved command roger jones days battle telegraph cable laid fortress monroe overlooked roads washington washington immediately informed dire situation initial battle concerned virginia sea begin bombarding cities new_york feared ascend river attack washington emergency meeting president lincoln secretary war secretary senior naval officers inquiries monitor ability stop virginia prospect destruction learned monitor guns expressed contempt rage paced forth increasing anxiety despair members meeting assurances admiral officers virginia massive effectively approach washington monitor capable challenge offered lincoln finally assured remained state terror sent governors coastal states warning danger subsequently approved plan load canal boats stone gravel sink able convince lincoln moment plan prevent monitor union ships reaching washington barges sunk virginia able way monitor finally arrived scene discover destruction virginia wrought union fleet ordered reaching roads weigh anchor alongside uss report captain john situation received orders protect grounded minnesota midnight cover darkness monitor quietly pulled alongside minnesota waited duel ironclads morning virginia accompanied patrick henry teaser got underway point finish minnesota rest delayed sailing roads heavy fog monitor station pilot house took command turret samuel howard acting master minnesota familiar roads varying depths shallow areas volunteered pilot night accepted quarter master peter williams steered vessel battle williams later awarded medal honor act speaking tube communicate turret broken early action captain clerk daniel relay commands virginia approaching began firing minnesota mile away shells hitting vessel firing heard distance sent pilot house permission open fire soon possible ordered tell green fire till word cool deliberate sure aim waste shot monitor surprise virginia crew emerged minnesota went straight approaching virginia positioned grounded minnesota preventing confederate ironclad engaging vulnerable wooden ship close range gave order fire fired shots battle ironclads confederate ironclad battle monitor fired solid shot minutes virginia fired shell exclusively ironclads generally fought close range hours ending ranging yards ships constantly motion maintaining circular pattern virginia weak engines massive size weight draft slow difficult maneuver taking half hour complete degree turn engagement monitor turret began malfunction making extremely difficult turn stop given position crew simply let turret continuously turn fired guns fly bore virginia times monitor received direct hits turret causing bolts violently shear inside sound impact stunned crew causing nose ear bleeding vessel able sink seriously damage point virginia attempted ram struck monitor blow damage collision damage virginia bow previously rammed cumberland monitor unable significant damage virginia possibly fact guns firing reduced charges advice commander john gun designer lacked preliminary information needed determine charge needed pierce iron plates configurations battle stationed wheel controlled turning turret point leaning turret received direct hit directly opposite knocked clear inside rendering unconscious taken recover relieved vessels pounding close range managed different times monitor supply shot turret gun ports damaged jammed shut hauled shallow waters resupply turret effect repairs damaged hatch repaired battle climbed gun port deck better view overall situation virginia seeing monitor turn away turned attention minnesota fired shots set wooden vessel destroying nearby dragon turret ammunition returned battle gun operation end engagement directed williams steer monitor stern confederate ironclad lieutenant wood fired inch gun vessel striking forward directly beneath sight hold cracking structural iron log base narrow opening heard cried eyes blind hit fragments bleeding temporarily blinded shell fragments gunpowder explosion believing severely damaged ordered williams sheer shallow water virginia deep draft follow monitor drifted minutes time struck injury known immediately nearby severely wounded command passed executive officer samuel taken surprise confused briefly action assessing damage soon ordered monitor return battle area shortly monitor withdrew virginia run aground time commander jones came deck find gun crews returning fire jones demanded know lieutenant powder low precious given monitor resistance shot hours battle maintained continued firing point waste ammunition virginia soon managed break away headed norfolk believing monitor withdrawn battle command pursue virginia like orders stay protect minnesota action later criticized result duel ironclads monitor struck times including hits turret hits managed fire shots pair guns virginia sustained ninety seven armor fire monitor ships ship sustained significant damage casualties incurred opinion virginia commander jones officers monitor sunk ship hit vessel waterline informal war council officers virginia captain decided return norfolk repairs monitor arrived scene virginia leaving orders protect minnesota pursue strategically battle ships considered definitive naval battle civil war battle largely considered draw argued virginia slightly damage monitor successfully defend minnesota rest blockading force virginia unable complete destruction started previous day battle ironclads marked turning point way naval warfare fought immediate future strategically changed union controlled roads held rivers norfolk making strategic victory north battle ironclads led referred monitor fever north course war improved monitor designs emerged total ironclads built events battle immediately following battle making possible confront confederate ironclad saving day sooner monitor weighed anchor numerous small boats spectators shore ship crew regarded victory virginia assistant secretary fox observed entire battle aboard minnesota came aboard monitor jokingly told officers gentlemen don look went greatest naval conflicts record small soon came alongside blinded brought cabin crew members spectators taken directly fort monroe preliminary treatment hospital washington shortly engineers newton soon began repairing damage pilot house sides upright position slope thirty degrees shot time personally brought news husband progress recovery optimistic informing crew soon return laid time informed president lincoln personally paid visit extending gratitude later taken summer home new_york remained unconscious months fully recovered celebrating considered victory crowds spectators gathered banks elizabeth river cheering waving flags hats virginia displaying captured ensign congress passed river confederate government immediately promoted commander admiral union confederacy soon came plans defeating ironclad oddly depend ironclads union navy chartered large ship uss reinforced bow steel specifically naval ram provided virginia steamed far roads april virginia accompanied number steamed roads point southeast edge newport news challenge monitor attempt lure union ironclad battle virginia fired shots long range monitor returned fire stayed near fort monroe ready fight virginia came attack federal force furthermore position ram virginia approached fort virginia bait attempt monitor closer confederate boarded james river squadron moved captured merchant ships marcus schooner catherine grounded abandoned sighted virginia entering roads flags hoisted union monitor fight towed norfolk end sides failed provoke fight terms confederate navy originally devised plan james river squadron monitor party men intention capturing vessel boarding heavy drive iron turret covering pilot house wet sail effectively pilot throw ventilation openings smoke holes point jones attempt board vessel managed slip away stern virginia time second meeting occurred virginia came monitor federal ships bombarded confederate batteries point federal ships retired slowly fort monroe hoping lure virginia roads follow firing gun sign contempt anchored point later confederate forces abandoned norfolk forced destroy virginia battle bluff destruction virginia monitor free assist union_army general campaign richmond navy gave command officers based passed day battle replaced lieutenant thomas days later turn relieved lieutenant william monitor flotilla command admiral john aboard steamed james river engaged confederate batteries bluff force instructions coordinate efforts forces land push richmond bombard city surrender possible assistance task force got confederate capital proceed sunken vessels debris placed river blocking passage artillery batteries fort overlooking guarding approach heavy guns positioned river banks fort strategically situated west bank james river atop bluff overlooking bend river monitor little help assault confinement small gun ports turret allow elevate guns sufficiently engage confederate batteries close range fall fire greater distance unable overcome fortifications monitor received hits damage crew members virginia aware ability withstand cannon shot close range concentrated guns ships especially sustained considerable damage loss crew members near hour artillery duel sustaining numerous hits overall flotilla unable fortification turn single union ship reached richmond near end war city finally evacuated battle bluff monitor remained james river providing support troops points river including harrison landing ended august time spent river marked inactivity hot weather negative effect morale monitor crew long hot summer crew members took sick transferred roads officers replaced including monitor engineer newton commander replaced commander thomas stevens august end august monitor ordered roads dropped anchor nearby sunken cumberland newport news point august approval crew monitor sole purpose blockade james river advances newly constructed virginia ironclad ram repairs refit september captain john received orders command monitor relieving commander thomas stevens sent roads charge vessel shortly command passed monitor engines boilers condemned board survey recommended overhauled completely september ironclad sent washington navy yard repairs arriving october arrival washington monitor crew greeted crowd thousands cheering came ship saved nation monitor premier tourist attraction crowd soon allowed board tour vessel time vessel picked clean artifacts touring civilians came aboard came close dock ship evening noted came clean night key wasn thing hadn carried away monitor dry dock repairs president lincoln navy secretary fox officials close friends arrived review vessel pay respect crew commander long partial recovery arrived occasion entire regiments directed come naval yard review ship honor crew monitor crew assembled deck formation officers lincoln fox guests stood near turret face wounds received roads came aboard heavy guns navy yard fired salute president lincoln came forward greeted introduced lincoln formal crew embraced shook hands commander thanked god recovery return called spoke friendly complimented personally order restored president gave short speech career fox request gave speech gathering voyage new_york roads trials faced way epic battle monitor virginia paying tribute officers men involved closing gave special thanks lincoln construction monitor possible monitor undergoing repairs crew aboard uss king philip eventually granted went leave approximately weeks vessel remained drydock clean sea growth engines boilers overhauled entire vessel cleaned painted number improvements including iron shield turret vessel feet funnel shaped placed smoke outlet taller fresh air installed berth deck enlarged raised removing placing reducing height interior barely allowed crew stand upright cranes added interior improvements making environment large operated engine installed drew fresh air time guns engraved large letters monitor monitor respectively additional iron plates installed covering previous battles plate inscribed source shell causing fort etc installed perimeter rope making safer walk deck amid stormy weather rough seas monitor finally taken drydock october november ship fully repaired refitted ready return service final voyage december orders issued directing monitor north_carolina join uss uss joint army navy expedition wilmington north_carolina join blockade charleston orders received crew christmas day aboard monitor journey new_york roads march pleased prospect taking high seas green remarked consider steamer sea going vessel crew celebrated christmas aboard monitor roads described merry fashion celebrations occurring shore ship cook paid dollar prepare meal crew day received mixed opinion day monitor ready sea crew strict orders discuss impending voyage bad weather delayed departure december design monitor suited river combat low heavy turret highly rough waters command john monitor sea december tow uss rhode_island heavy storm developed cape_hatteras north_carolina chalk wrote messages rhode_island monitor needed help signal red monitor soon trouble storm increased large waves completely covering deck pilot house crew temporarily rigged wheel atop turret manned francis water continued flooding ports ship began rolling high seas drop wave force entire hull leaks beginning appear ordered engineers start pumps temporarily stemmed rising waters soon monitor hit series violent waves water continued work way vessel right pump longer pace flooding came engine room water gaining realizing ship trouble signaled rhode_island help hoisted red monitor white running light atop turret ordered anchor dropped stop ship rolling pitching little effect making easier rescue boats close receive crew ordered cut called volunteers acting master john james volunteered climbed turret said soon deck quickly swept overboard drowned managed hang safety lines deck finally cut ordered engineers stop engines divert available steam large adams steam pump reduced steam output boiler fed wet coal unable stem rapidly rising water steam pumps failed ordered crew man hand pumps organized bucket brigade avail officers men abandon ship remained surviving man abandon sinking monitor official report monitor navy department praised green heroic efforts wrote leave attention admiral department particularly good conduct lieutenant acting master louis remained example inspiring confidence obedience frantic rescue effort monitor finally sank approximately miles southeast cape_hatteras loss sixteen men including officers remained turret went ironclad seven men rescued life boats rhode_island green barely managed clear sinking vessel survived ordeal suffered exposure winter sea initial recovery filed official report commanding officers rhode_island stating officers men monitor rhode_island ability monitor sinking navy find necessary commission board inquiry investigate affair took action officers time later controversy emerged monitor sank army navy journal accused crew storm consequently unable prevent vessel sinking vigorously defended crew characterization crew events wrote pierce cover defects blaming dead pointing number events circumstances led ship sinking foremost upper lower hulls came loose partially separated storm violent waves account months investigation research false positive monitor rediscovered cape_hatteras depth feet years sinking navy tested underwater august searching area south cape_hatteras lighthouse wreck monitor found foot long object feet feet water thought monitor powerful currents attempts divers investigate retired rear admiral edward proposed external raise wreck method marine salvage sunken submarine cost years later robert claimed discovered wreck based idea drifted shallow water north lighthouse sinking claimed wreck placed bottle gun barrels provided proof story interest locating ship revived early 1970s duke university national geographic society national science foundation sponsored expedition august search wreck towed system august discovered wreck coordinates sent camera photograph wreck pictures useless second attempt camera wreck lost images match expected wreck look like realized sinking vessel turned descending resting upside team announced discovery march expedition mounted month confirm discovery research sea probe able photos video wreck confirmed monitor photos revealed wreck discovery raised issue navy formally abandoned wreck exploited divers private salvage companies lay outside north_carolina territorial limits preserve ship wreck nautical mile radius designated monitor national marine sanctuary marine sanctuary january monitor designated national historic landmark june scientists finally able view wreckage person johnson sea link inspect sea link able ferry divers sunken vessel retrieve small artifacts navy interest raising entire ship ended captain calculated cost possible damage expected operation million stabilize vessel place million bring surface research continued artifacts continued recovered including ship pound anchor growing number relics required conservation proper home national oceanic atmospheric administration charge marine selected museum march considering proposals institutions recovery initial efforts navy divers raise warship propeller stormy season cape_hatteras realizing raising wreck impractical financial reasons inability bring wreck intact developed comprehensive plan recover significant parts ship engine propeller guns turret estimated plan cost million dollars implement years department defense legacy resource management program contributed million navy divers mainly mobile diving salvage units perform bulk work necessary order train deep sea conditions evaluate new equipment effort raise monitor propeller successful june effort required work difficult conditions cape_hatteras fewer divers nearly overwhelmed dive season research oriented divers investigated wreck detail planning recover engine determining stabilize hull collapse turret divers port hull bags installed engine recovery system external framework engine attached preparation season times previous season dive season concentrated raising ship steam engine hull plates removed access engine compartment engine separated ship surrounding wreckage mini provide visibility wreck divers support staff water engine raised july days later crane barge diving evaluated navy dive season monitor proved successful allowing divers maximize time surface supplied divers evaluated use depth wreck proved successful dive tables adjusted like previous year dive season dedicated lifting long ton turret surface divers assigned remove parts hull including armor belt lay turret cutting psi kpa cm2 removed debris inside turret possible reduce weight lifted usually coal ship coal dumped contents turret divers prepared turret roof stage lift underneath turret placed steel beams angle reinforce lifting platform second stage large legged lifting frame nicknamed spider carefully positioned turret platform entire affair lifted crane mounted divers discovered skeleton turret july lift spent week carefully half free debris half inaccessible underneath rear guns tropical storm bearing recovery team time money running team decision raise turret august days work gun turret broke surface cheers aboard recovery ships nearby archaeologists examined contents turret landed aboard discovered second skeleton removing begin turret arrived museum conservation remains sailors transferred joint accounting command air_force base hawaii hopes identified crew rescued rhode_island monitor sank forensic able rule missing black crewmen based shape promising candidates crew members jacob robert williams william decade passed identities discovered march remains buried arlington national cemetery military honors divers volunteers returned monitor goal obtaining overall video site create permanent record current conditions wreck turret recovery jeff monitor national marine sanctuary wanted definitive image vessel monitor iron located near bow vessel documented time allen productions inverted position conservation propeller completed nearly years recovery display monitor center museum conservation engine components turret guns continues guns removed turret september placed conservation tanks artifacts recovered sunken vessel red signal possibly send distress signal rhode_island thing seen monitor sank object recovered site gold wedding band recovered hand skeletal remains monitor crew members found turret shipyard newport news constructed scale non static replica monitor replica laid february completed months later grounds museum monitor national marine sanctuary conducts occasional wreck monitor record changes condition environment memorials monitor monument park brooklyn depicts sailor monitor pulling sculptor commissioned state new_york 1930s bronze statue commemorate battle roads john crew ship dedicated november white paint january postal service issued stamp commemorating uss monitor virginia depicting ships engaged famous battle roads image stamp link anniversary ship loss prompted events commemoration memorial monitor lost crew members erected civil war section national cemetery office national marine navy department veterans affairs dedicated december monitor museum commemorated ship crew event january grave sites monitor crew members buried green wood cemetery brooklyn followed service cemetery chapel new_jersey based indie rock band named critically acclaimed sophomore album monitor ship featured album sleeve crewmen monitor taken portrait album interwoven references civil war include speeches writings period long closing track battle roads refers monitor encounter virginia prominent detail singer guitarist patrick commented making album inspired burns civil war ship decided second album honor legacy monitor gave new type low warship mounted armament turrets built including river monitors played key roles civil war battles mississippi james rivers monitor developed 1860s sir edward reed chief royal_navy improvement basic monitor design reed gave ships superstructure increase raise gun turrets worked superstructure armored protect bases turrets funnels termed ships conceived harbor defense ships little need leave port reed took advantage lack masts designed ships twin gun turret end superstructure able turn fire arc ships described admiral george alexander like armoured knights riding easy avoid bad close reed later developed design devastation class ocean going turret ships masts direct ancestors pre dreadnought battleships dreadnoughts


uss jacob jones uss jacob jones destroyer tucker class destroyer built united_states_navy prior american entry world war ship navy vessel named honor jacob jones jacob jones laid new_york new_jersey august launched following year ship little feet length feet standard displacement long tons armed inch guns inch torpedo tubes jacob jones powered pair steam turbines propelled knots february commissioning jacob jones conducted patrols new_england coast united_states entered world war april jacob jones sent overseas patrolling irish sea ireland jacob jones rescued survivors ships notably picking sunken armed merchant cruiser december jacob jones steaming independently brest france torpedoed damaged german submarine scuttled loss officers men united_states destroyer sunk enemy action jacob jones sank minutes issuing distress german submarine commander rose taking badly injured jacob jones crewmen aboard submarine american base coordinates survivors veterans foreign wars post massachusetts named ship design construction jacob jones authorized fifth ship tucker class like related brien class improved version class destroyers authorized construction vessel awarded new_york new_jersey laid keel august months later jacob jones launched sponsor parker née jones great granddaughter ship namesake commodore jacob jones navy officer war built jacob jones feet inches length feet inches drew feet inches ship standard displacement long tons displaced long tons fully loaded jacob jones curtis steam turbines drove screw propellers additional steam turbine geared propeller shafts cruising purposes power plant generate shaft horsepower ship speeds knots jacob jones main battery consisted inch mark guns gun weighing excess pounds guns fired pound armor piercing projectiles feet second elevation guns range yards jacob jones equipped inch torpedo tubes general board united_states_navy called anti aircraft guns tucker class ships provisions laying floating mines sources unclear recommendations followed jacob jones ships class united_states_navy career uss jacob jones commissioned united_states_navy february command lieutenant commander william following commissioning jacob jones conducted training exercises new_england coast entered philadelphia navy yard repairs united_states entry world war april jacob jones patrolled coast virginia sailed boston europe group destroyers included arrived ireland jacob jones duties involved patrolling escorting convoys irish sea making occasional rescues survivors sunken ships july torpedoed german submarine nautical miles west rock jacob jones arrived scene picked survivors british steamship escorting british steamship weeks later jacob jones sighted destroyer attack submarine torpedoed sank steamship jacob jones able member crew ship went october british armed merchant cruiser destroyers including jacob jones escorting eastbound convoy german submarine surfaced midst group submarine launched remaining torpedo sinking vessel sister ship saw depth charged avail jacob jones turned rescuing survivors gathering sinking early december jacob jones helped escort convoy brest france based destroyers depart brest return ireland jacob jones steaming pattern spotted rose german submarine december near position jacob jones spotted torpedo yards distant headed ship starboard despite having rudder hard left emergency speed jacob jones unable way torpedo struck rudder depth charges explode jacob jones knocked power destroyer unable send distress signal steaming ship present know jacob jones commander david destroyer commander ordered life boats launched ordered jacob jones scuttled knowing ship cargo depth charges set ready ship began sink stern charges activated ship probably detonate moment ship continued sink bow raised air vertically began slip beneath waves point depth charges began exploding killing number men unable escape destroyer stunning water destroyer united_states destroyer lost enemy action sank minutes torpedo struck rudder taking officers men water crew notably lieutenant junior grade officer deck torpedo struck began men water life worked cold atlantic water load died exhaustion exposure noted official account minutes jacob jones sank german submarine surfaced miles collection took american sailors board according rose surface aboard badly injured american sailors rose american base approximate coordinates sinking departing area unaware rose humanitarian gesture left food water medical supplies lieutenant commander john richards left charge assembled lieutenant commander norman scott jacob jones executive officer crewmen brought row set aid nearby isles december group sighted british patrol vessel nautical miles destination group relieved find british sloop hms found taken aboard survivors earlier morning small group rescued night sinking american steamer men recognized actions aftermath torpedo attack posthumously received navy distinguished service medal honored included chief mate harry gibson posthumously chief mate kelly received navy cross richards scott chief mate charles received letters


uss uss class destroyer united_states_navy world war named lieutenant posthumously awarded navy cross world war commissioned saw number fleet exercises training cruises brief period navy ship equipped detect german ship outbreak world war escorted number convoys iceland caribbean west_africa support war effort later upgraded serve warfare vessel december escorting card rough seas north_atlantic torpedoed times german submarine sank loss men design construction class destroyers built united_states_navy sisters constructed new_york corporation shipyards new_jersey specifications detail designs drawn steel standard displacement tonnes long tons short tons overall length feet beam feet inches draught feet trials reached speed knots mph armed caliber guns caliber guns inch torpedo tubes regular crew complement officers enlisted men driven curtis steam turbines powered yarrow boilers performance known group class destroyers known unofficially liberty type differentiate destroyers constructed detail designs drawn bath iron works parsons turbines liberty type destroyers deteriorated badly service group retired navy actual performance ships far intended specifications especially fuel economy able nautical miles knots mph instead design standard nautical miles knots mph class suffered problems turning weight ship named subsequent uss commissioned class destroyer completed service history laid march launched december sponsored anne mother commissioned december command commander martin departed boston january underwent cruise caribbean conducted training operations east_coast united_states january joined pacific battle fleet february took large scale battle exercise coast peru march panama canal reported commander naval station bay cuba station bombing tests conducted army air forces naval targets overseen billy mitchell resumed training exercises caribbean june accordance washington naval conference decommissioned philadelphia naval yard recommissioned home port newport rhode_island alternated pacific fleet atlantic fleet carrying training maneuvers taking fleet problems time taken conducting training cruises reserves april underwent shipyard overhaul including equipped radar navy vessel equipped device september hamilton established continuous patrol coast new_england german boats september began escort missions iceland contact german boat escorting british convoy north_atlantic november entry united_states world war following japanese attack pearl harbor undertook regular convoy escort duties february spent year escorting convoys mid ocean meeting point ports february left boston time given shipyard overhaul boston navy yard converted anti submarine warfare ship march left boston bay undertook anti submarine exercises resumed escort duty trips trinidad caribbean ports returning new_york june began convoys successfully escorted later joined task group command captain arnold escorting card december task group caught storm north_atlantic morning boat starboard bow commander james ordered battle stations destroyer react struck torpedo fired german submarine torpedo struck starboard detonated engine room killing men damaging propeller shafts quickly developed degree list starboard unable heavy seas unbeknownst task group second german submarine fired missed soon ordered crew abandon ship additional torpedoes ship rapidly sank stern took men including survivors picked sister ship minutes second torpedo hit executive officer watson concluded quick inspection ship found thick substance covering deck seamen sitting torpedo tube eating boston cream pie cook baked batch explosion deck received battle star service world war actions ensuring safety crew posthumously awarded navy cross class destroyer james later named convoys escorted resources


sea cloud sea cloud sailing cruise ship sea cloud cruises line initially built private yacht subsequently served weather ship united_states_coast_guard united_states_navy world war ship served racially integrated warship united_states armed forces american_civil_war following war sea cloud returned private ownership serving yacht numerous people including presidential yacht dominican_republic ship currently sails europe caribbean fleet sail cruise ships operated sea cloud cruises hamburg germany contract national geographic society private yacht sea cloud built kiel germany barque post second husband edward wall street fame launched time construction largest private yacht world united_states ambassador soviet_union joseph davies married post davies renamed ship sea cloud davies owned ship allowed davies claim ownership vessel man political influence davies entertained high profile people ship including queen belgium ship served informal embassy soviet united_states officials stayed met vessel coast guard service davies offered ship department navy navy turned president franklin roosevelt objected ship entering service remarking beautiful sacrificed january navy position ship year navy sent sea cloud georgetown south_carolina united_states_coast_guard yard curtis bay maryland refitted weather observation station vessel masts removed hull painted battleship gray sea cloud commissioned united_states_coast_guard cutter april assigned eastern sea frontier permanent home port boston sea cloud served weather ship weather patrol station number position june ship rescued survivors schooner maria august august sea cloud served weather patrol station number uss converted weather ship naval service navy asked control sea cloud yacht converted weather ship april united_states_navy commissioned sea cloud uss sea cloud maintained coast guard crew assigned task force relieving february sea cloud patrolled square mile km2 area near new_england coast generating weather reports naval district february sea cloud traveled refurbished atlantic yard east boston taking new square mile area weather station number april sea cloud received radar indication small target position bearing yards general quarters sounded battle stations manned contact lost minutes later target identified submarine sea cloud carried standard anti submarine drills evidence damage inflicted returned port minor repairs sea cloud newfoundland assigned weather station number patrolling area june crew spotted navy exchanging recognition signals sea cloud received orders report escort carrier join escort ships command envoy searched reported area returned sightings event sea cloud reassigned weather station number search downed aircraft returned port boston sea cloud decommissioned november steel atlantic yard returned davies conversion pre war appearance wartime service sea cloud awarded american campaign medal world war victory medal racial integration late lieutenant skinner took command ship previously serving executive officer november time black seamen permitted serve ship witnessing black man save crew denied promotion rule skinner proposed experiment skinner submitted plan secretary navy allowed sail weather patrol fully integrated crew months black sailors including officers stationed aboard sea cloud skinner requested experiment publicized ship treated differently ships task force skinner showed integrated crew work efficiently segregated crew crew passed fleet deficiencies skinner command ship integrated american painter jacob lawrence served sea cloud able paint sketch coast guard notably war series return civilian service following return sea cloud received rigging new set sails vessel painted white gold eagle painted bow ship reconstruction took nearly years post retained ownership sea cloud aftermath divorce davies originally brought ship marriage evaluating cost running year round crew seventy post decided sell ship beginning sea cloud featured royal sails single double sails fore masts main mast equipped royal sail double double sails today masts rigged double sails single main presidential yacht ruler dominican_republic purchased sea cloud trading vickers renamed ship daughter yacht served government office following assassination family attempted body islands aboard forced dominican_republic new government school ship years death ship named sold operation sea cruises company president john blue registered panama sent naples italy outfit charters sold inc miami ship renamed blue brought vessel united_states port authorities docked boat dispute panama charles paid fees ship free set sea blue held ship papers dreamed making ship oceanic school students supplement traditional learning sea education blue eventually retrieved ship confrontation panama cruise ship sea cloud ship stayed port years group hamburg associates purchased naming sea cloud thirty men sailed ship europe arriving port hamburg november sea cloud spent months undergoing repairs named shipyard yard built redesigned passenger capacity crew ship set sail cruise described complete guide cruising cruise ships romantic sailing ship afloat sea cloud underwent extensive renovations operating cruise ship


samuel samuel american liberty ship world war liberty ship authorized united_states maritime commission named honor samuel american declaration independence samuel launched sailed ports pacific south_america africa united_kingdom select group liberty ships outfitted carry limited number troops prisoners war convoy resupply allied troops sank successful german bomb attack january construction samuel laid january metals ship way number yard richmond california liberty ship authorized united_states maritime commission 48th ship begun ship yard type standard liberty ship launched april delivered completed days spending ways water delivery liberty ships outfitted carry limited number troops prisoners war sources clear passenger capability added samuel modifications sort november service history days delivery samuel departed san_francisco los_angeles sailing port arrived fiji islands june way departed july chile arriving july cargo ship worked way south american coast calling july august arenas august sailing arenas day straits crossed south atlantic arrived cape_town south_africa september sailing cape_town september samuel sailed african continent calling september arriving arabian peninsula mid september departing september sailed red_sea calling coast september october departing october track africa calling port october november cape_town november leaving day crossed south atlantic headed samuel arrived november sailed days later trinidad arriving caribbean port december waited week sailing convoy bay ships arriving bay december convoy dropping ships reformed convoy headed new_york_city departed day calling port time seven months arrived new_york december departed new_york convoy headed liverpool halifax january convoy consisted ships escorts sailed near iceland wolf pack kriegsmarine boats attacked convoy repeatedly day period boats participated sinking allied ships including henry troop transport went men half passengers crew boats lost samuel departed convoy arrived clyde february calling belfast early april samuel way liverpool join convoy new_york departing april merchant ships convoy liberty ship port new_york convoy reported submarine activity thirds convoy able target practice voyage samuel departed new_york june convoy joining merchant ships escorts safely july ship convoy sunk boat participation operation allied invasion sicily fellow liberty ships william william suffered casualties air attack august damage ship apparently minor ready sail days later joined convoy originated alexandria destined roads virginia return united_states samuel left convoy neared east_coast headed new_york arriving september making way roads samuel departed october convoy arrived october days later joined convoy ship alexandria roads convoy headed home arrived baltimore november shifting roads early december samuel prepared depart sailing united_states convoy ship convoy sailed roads december arriving january departed january arrived naples days later week later samuel sailed anchored quarter mile beach january long tons cargo including ammunition gasoline tnt sinking sunset january luftwaffe bombers planes armed anti shipping guided missiles attacked ships anchor british cruiser hit amidships rolled port sank loss men soon hit slammed samuel penetrating boiler room exploding killing men force explosion blew cargo launching stricken ship flying bridge process power way fighting fire samuel master ordered ship abandoned crew lowered headed away ship minutes bomb blast explosion ship throwing cloud debris feet air ships far miles away second explosion samuel settled feet keel ship remained water navy salvage ship weight came alongside trained deck water guns inch water fires task accomplished weight pulled away fires hours later weight returned fight tending ships damaged raid weight returned time early morning hours january hope samuel cargo ended fires reached load gasoline resulting explosion completely destroyed ship nearby ships smoke cleared trace remained


uss montana uss montana referred armored cruiser later renamed reclassified tennessee class armored cruiser united_states_navy built newport news drydock keel laid april launched december commissioned july final class armored cruisers built navy montana sisters armed main battery inch guns capable speed knots mph montana spent active duty career atlantic fleet cruises mediterranean_sea protect american citizens ottoman_empire aftermath young revolution second balkan wars montana involved political unrest central american countries sending landing parties ashore haiti mexico occupation veracruz united_states entered world war april montana tasked convoy escort training ship duties end war november came new task transporting american soldiers europe round trips france carried total men montana transferred sound naval yard washington state decommissioned renamed remained reserve fleet stricken terms london naval treaty ship eventually sold scrap broken design montana long overall beam feet inches draft displaced long tons normally long tons load ship propelled cylinder vertical triple expansion engines steam provided sixteen coal fired water tube boilers funnels engines rated indicated horsepower produced speed knots mph storage capacity long tons coal allowed steam nautical miles speed knots mph crew officers men originally fitted pair military masts montana foremast replaced cage mast montana armed main battery inch caliber mark guns twin gun turrets forward aft supported secondary battery sixteen inch caliber mark guns mounted casemates broadside defense torpedo boats carried inch caliber guns single pedestal mounts casemates hull carried variety smaller guns including pounder automatic guns pounders like contemporary armored cruisers armed inches torpedo tubes located waterline hull montana protected combination krupp cemented steel older harvey steel ship armored belt thick maximum thickness armor deck thick main battery turret faces thick sides conning tower service history keel montana laid newport news drydock newport news april completed hull launched december fitting work completed new cruiser commissioned united_states_navy july assigned atlantic fleet transferred norfolk virginia montana steamed norfolk august cruise eastern coast united_states lasted january stop charleston south_carolina continued south caribbean_sea arriving panama january joined special service squadron duty interrupted twice came february returned roads virginia rest atlantic fleet greeted great white fleet conclusion globe second came april owing instability ottoman_empire following young revolution threatened american interests montana departed bay cuba april sent mediterranean protect americans region remained july left gibraltar arriving boston august returned normal operations patrolling eastern coast united_states montana departed roads april bound south_america argentina centennial steamed company sister ship north_carolina eventually reaching cruisers met sister tennessee armored cruiser south steamed independently ships continued argentina centennial celebrations ship left argentina june arrived roads july resuming normal peacetime routine following months montana tasked escorting president william howard aboard tennessee trip panama ships departed charleston november visit lasted week july montana transferred atlantic reserve fleet began overhaul portsmouth navy yard lasted november overhaul cage mast installed place original fore military mast returning service late montana trip eastern mediterranean departing december montana joined tennessee patrol ordered response balkan wars ottoman_empire balkan league threatened american interests region ships operated command rear admiral austin knight trip lasted june stops returning united_states ship resumed peacetime routine training cruises american east_coast cruises mexico cuba haiti following year period january montana haiti presidency montana german protected cruiser sms landed marines port prince prevent rioting capital later year montana took united_states occupation veracruz ship commander louis led landing party city occupation montana carried remains seventeen sailors marines killed fighting new_york_city arriving navy held ceremony attended president wilson secretary navy daniels world war united_states entered world war april montana initially tasked transporting men york river area conducting training exercises july assigned cruiser transport force spent majority escorting convoys roads new_york_city halifax nova_scotia france operations included convoy transports finland henderson antilles san carrying american expeditionary forces august early briefly training ship naval cadets united_states naval academy chesapeake_bay convoy followed june company cruisers south destroyers gregory protecting italian french american transports september montana took convoy france battleship georgia armored cruiser north_carolina destroyer convoy consisted transports princess president grant british steamer following month joined battleship nebraska escort british merchant ships bound liverpool following allied victory november montana sent france begin process transporting american soldiers europe july round trips france united_states carrying total american soldiers conclusion effort montana transferred west_coast united_states arrived sound navy yard seattle august remained february decommissioned period inactivity renamed june original planned south class battleships reclassified hull number decommissioned ship remained navy inventory july formally stricken naval register according terms london naval treaty placed aggregate limits cruiser fleets countries sold john september eventually broken


uss portland uss portland lead ship class cruiser ship united_states_navy named city portland maine launched saw number training goodwill cruises interwar period world war saw extensive service beginning battle coral sea escorted aircraft carrier picked survivors sunken carrier lexington screened battle midway picking survivors supported carrier enterprise initial phase campaign later year torpedoed naval battle torpedo inflicted heavy damage action months repaired sydney australia later san_diego california returning action saw action major campaigns pacific war conducting shore support campaigns islands gilbert marshall islands islands new_guinea involved october battle gulf engaging japanese ships decisive battle conducted shore gulf island supported landings battle okinawa end war following world war portland accepted japanese surrender caroline islands undertook operation magic carpet cruises bring troops home decommissioned scrapped extensive service battle stars making decorated ships fleet design construction portland lead ship class treaty cruisers constructed united_states_navy following washington naval treaty following vessels pensacola class ordered vessels class ordered ordered navy fiscal year portland originally designated light cruiser thin armor given hull classification symbol reclassified heavy cruiser inch guns symbol july accordance london naval treaty portland designed standard displacement long tons load displacement long tons portland displaced long tons completed light added forward second funnel ship prominent fire control director installed aft parsons geared turbines drove propeller shaft steam provided yarrow boilers portland power plant generated shaft horsepower designed maximum speed knots mph ship reached knots mph sea trials rolled badly fitted portland designed range nautical miles knots mph ship armed main battery mark caliber guns triple mounts superfiring pair forward aft armed caliber guns anti aircraft defense pounder hotchkiss guns anti aircraft defenses upgraded receiving guns arranged mounts twin mounts portland upgraded seventeen cannons originally designed inch armor deck protection construction armor increased completed ship protected inches belt armor increased inches magazines armor inches inches thick transverse bulkheads armor main deck inches thick armor barbettes inches thick armor inches thick armor conning tower inches thick additionally portland class cruisers designed space outfitted fleet accommodations admiral staff operate class featured aircraft catapult amidships carry aircraft stored hangar total crew complement varied regular designed crew complement wartime complement complement cruiser operating fleet flagship portland laid steel shipyard february machinery provided builders portland launched commissioned february ship named city portland maine sponsored daughter brooks portland captain commander sailors later nickname sweet service history departing boston april cruiser arrived bay new_york late day april evening dispatched assignment scene crashed sea thirty minutes receiving message underway route crash site naval vessel scene began coordinating search rescue effort ships arriving spite efforts killed crash including admiral william chief bureau portland steamed san_diego california october houston carrying president franklin roosevelt president spent trip fishing party visiting panama ports ships steamed charleston south_carolina president disembarked portland spent remainder interwar era scouting force cruiser division later united_states pacific fleet conducting peacetime training number goodwill missions crossed equator time fleet maneuvers japanese attacked pearl harbor december portland days away route midway carrier group escorting aircraft carrier lexington december operated west_coast hawaii fiji patrol battle coral sea portland joined task force commanded rear admiral frank jack centered carrier escorted portland cruisers chester plus destroyers anderson morris russell departed april route coral sea morning joined task force nmi northwest new completed day reported finished elected northwest notified force japanese troops sighted day approaching southern changed course proceeded mph launch japanese forces morning position nmi south launched japanese forces recovering aircraft late evening retired south morning task force point nmi south prompted reports japanese attack port force moved engage japanese day portland assigned task group rear admiral thomas cruisers minneapolis new_orleans chester destroyers destroyer squadron screened operation including japanese air attacks carriers following battle escort damaged lexington fires carrier abandoned sunk portland took survivors suffered casualties sailors transferred shortly battle lost ship sunk battle midway brief repairs portland took new commander captain steamed pearl harbor escorting heading midway set trap japanese forces attacking june dive bombers carriers enterprise sunk japanese carriers aircraft japanese carrier responded attack afternoon portland port providing anti aircraft defense cruisers pensacola japanese air attack came struck times torpedoes increasing damage carrier abandoned survivors picked destroyers transferred portland crew transferred cruiser steamed pearl harbor met submarine tender transferred survivors aboard june june searched downed naval day joined group carrier steamed islands counter japanese force recalled pearl harbor days later campaign portland accompanied invasion fleet escorting enterprise remained coast protecting landings august duty missed battle island withdrew days later following enterprise remained area support operations protect communications lines attacking forces remaining enterprise later participated battle eastern august posted air defense port enterprise sisters able number japanese aircraft carrier hit continued protect carrier august allied forces prevented reinforcement japanese units large naval admiral following battle escorted enterprise pearl harbor ordered secret mission gilbert islands conduct raid light cruiser san_juan took aboard rear admiral designated task unit october attacked japanese ships near island damaging transport destroyer suffering damaged aircraft withdrew rejoined enterprise task group near steamed south battle santa islands escorts enterprise carrier came heavy air attack october portland suffered wartime damage inch guns exploded firing guns depressed low damaged splinter shield injuring officers enlisted men heavy fighting enterprise hit portland task group shot aircraft bridge lost control steering regain control japanese submarine spotted submarine struck portland torpedoes detonate likely submarine fired close time arm weeks later participated naval battle november resulted heavy damage forces broke determined japanese effort disrupt landing american troops bombard henderson field land reinforcements outbreak battle portland escorting convoy traveling new task force day journey arrived began supplies november countered japanese air attack aircraft night force cruisers destroyers daniel steamed counter approaching japanese force spotted japanese force battleships cruiser destroyers immediately opened fire sinking japanese destroyer shortly portland struck torpedo fired destroyer destroyer causing heavy damage stern torpedo struck starboard blew propellers jammed rudder degrees starboard jammed number turret train elevation degree list quickly corrected shifting ballast steering problem overcome ship forced steam circles starboard blast disrupted steering column forcing steer circle end circle fired japanese battleship forward turrets japanese ship returned fire passed cruiser gun returned portland succeeded starting fires japanese ship dawn ships damaged withdraw power portland opened fire abandoned hulk japanese destroyer range miles sixth exploded rolled sank minutes eventually able correct steering problem withdraw power later received unit actions battle suffered killed wounded battle assistance boats portland anchored november towed sydney australia escorted destroyers preliminary repairs prior overhaul united_states arrived sydney november enter drydock december chester new_orleans repaired time crew given extended shore leave ship sailors died accidents leave left australia preliminary repairs escorted destroyer following short stops pearl harbor ship arrived mare island navy yard march operational training southern waters portland steamed late arriving june bombarding july covering reconnaissance landing little august called pearl harbor september san_francisco early october pearl harbor mid october november february portland participated gilbert marshall islands campaigns bombarded november supporting landings days lightly damaged friendly depth charge nearby destroyer erroneously detected japanese submarine december moved marshall islands escorting new essex class carrier lexington lexington came air attack japanese planes came range portland open fire returned pearl harbor december went drydock repair rudder propellers repairs joined task group rear admiral harry hill attack steaming island january arriving january island minutes discovered japanese ashore moved support operations february providing shore bombardment island ahead landings took place february screened carriers conducting march april joined carrier force assigned cover landings new_guinea took place april steamed northward carrier force struck cruisers destroyers portland bombarded group following series operations portland returned mare island extensive overhaul completed august returned western pacific shore september cruiser supported landing september providing artillery support advance allied forces provided gunfire support september steamed harbor island battle gulf portland joined cruiser division major campaign philippines arrived october entering gulf day began days shore prepare troop landings night october strong japanese force consisting battleships heavy cruiser destroyers headed apparent intent raiding shipping gulf japanese force advanced rough column narrow darkness met large force cruisers destroyers battleships including portland sisters steamed crossing japanese force japanese met boats succession coordinated destroyer torpedo attacks finally devastating gunfire american battleships cruisers disposed northern end portland took japanese cruiser fire scoring hits striking compass platform defense center continued firing minutes continued fire stranded striking hits including ship bridge battle decisive defeat japanese force ships destroyed january march portland participated operations gulf arriving gulf january bombarding vicinity cape entered gulf day commenced bombardment eastern shore discontinued immediately large wave japanese planes approached portland entered manila bay february bombarded south shore preparation landings returned gulf march repairs having seen months continuous action march april conducted shore okinawa support allied landings okinawa campaign portland endured air raids shot japanese aircraft assisted downing june supported ground forces okinawa providing artillery support ground forces departing june maintenance returning bay august remained conducting shore end war post war termination hostilities portland designated flagship vice admiral george murray commander islands accept surrender ship steamed murray acting fleet admiral chester accepted formal capitulation senior japanese military civilian officials ceremonies aboard portland selected operation magic carpet duty returned pearl harbor september embarking troops transportation united_states crossed panama canal october arrived portland maine navy day celebrations october conducted trans atlantic crossings november december bringing troops home european theater reported march philadelphia naval shipyard assignment reserve fleet decommissioned philadelphia navy yard july maintained united_states reserve fleet identified ships fought entire war missed major battle attempt save museum ship portland maine portland oregon struck navy list march sold union minerals new_york october scrapped shipyard panama city florida mast preserved fort allen park portland received battle stars world war service making decorated ships world war