The USS Canberra, 1941-1980,
was a heavy cruiser (CA-70),
later converted to a guided missile cruiser (CAG-2). CA-70 LOGO HANGING ON SHIP'S BRIDGE
Circa 1944
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.212

The ships keel was laid down
on September 3, 1941
at the Bethlehem Steel Company
in Quincy, MA. HULL 1496
2/19/1943
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.370

Construction continued. She was launched April 19, 1943, christened by Lady Alice C. Dixon. CA-70 CHRISTENING AND LAUNCH
4/19/1943
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.374

Departing from Boston, Massachusetts
on January 14, 1944, she sailed
to San Diego then to Pearl Harbor.
USS CANBERRA UNDERWAY IN BOSTON HARBOR
10/14/1943
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.8.7

Commanded by Captain Early, The Canberra participated in 18 separate engagements in the Pacific from Feb - Oct 1944
CAPT. ALEXANDER R. EARLY, USN
Circa 1944
B/W Photo
US Navy
2016.2.241

This included participating in the attack on Formosa. USS CANBERRA WITH TASK FORCE 38
10/10/1944
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.35

On October 13, 1944, Canberra was struck below the armor belt by an arial torpedo.

USS HOUSTON TORPEDOED WHILE UNDER TOW
10/16/1944
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.8.1

23 crew members were killed instantly. COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
Wood
US Navy
2016.2.1

Known as "Cripple Division 1", Canberra and Houston were used as bait in an attempt to lure the Japanese Fleet into the open. CRUISERS CANBERRA AND HOUSTON UNDER TOW
October 1944
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.8.8

After being towed for two weeks, Canberra arrived at the Manus Island dry dock for temporary repairs. USS CLAXTON, USS CANBERRA, USS KILLEN
IN DRYDOCK AT MANUS.
12/25/44
B/W Photograph
2016.2.342

There was extensive damage to the starboard side, below the armor belt. USS CANBERRA CA-70.
VIEW LOOKING FORWARD OF DAMAGE SUSTAINED
BY TORPEDO HIT - STARBOARD SIDE
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.258

Temporary repairs completed, she sailed under her own power to the Boston Navy Yard, where she remained until Oct. 1945. TEMPORARY REPAIRS
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.305

Late 1945, Canberra sailed to the west coast and was decommissioned. She joined the reserve (mothball) fleet in Bremerton, WA, March 7, 1947. CAPTAIN EARLY SPEAKS AT
DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY,
MARE ISLAND NAVY SHIPYARD
July 6, 1946
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.160

Re-designated CAG-2 in Jan. 1952, she was taken to the New York Shipbuilding Corp. in Camden, NJ for a 4 year
major overhall. USS CANBERRA LEAVES CAMDEN, NJ
FOR POST CONVERSION TRIALS.
May 14, 1956
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.348

USS Canberra became the worlds 2nd guided missile cruiser. CAG-2 COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
June 15, 1956
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.83

In March 1957, Canberra carried President Eisenhower to Bermuda for a conference with the Prime Minister of England PRESIDENT EISENHOWER VISITS SHIPS GALLEY
March 1957
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.7

Canberra served as a reviewing ship for the International Naval Review in Hampton Roads, Virginia in June 1957. USS CANBERRA UNDERWAY
DURING THE INTERNATIONAL NAVAL REVIEW
June 1957
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.11

In May, 1958 Canberra participated as a flagship in the selection of the Unknown Soldier of WWII ceremony. WWII AND KOREAN WAR UNKNOWN SERVICEMEN
ABOARD USS CANBERRA
May 1958
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.12

March 3,1960 she left Norfolk, VA on an 8 month around the world cruise, visiting 26 ports. WORLD CRUISE
1960
Hardcover Book
USS Canberra Museum Assoc.

She participated in the US quarantine of Cuba in the fall of 1962. USS CANBERRA UNDERWAY
DURING CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
October. 28, 1962
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.352

From 1965-68 Canberra made 5 tours in support of the
Vietnam War. USS CANBERRA BOMBADING
NORTH VIETNAM AT NIGHT
March 1967
B/W Photograph
US Navy
2016.2.355

In 1968, After her 4th tour in Vietnam, Canberra was
re-designated as the heavy cruiser CA-70 due to her
primary role of shore bombardment.
8 INCH GUNS
Circa 1966-69
B/W Photograph
Cyrus Roton
2016.4.2

In the fall of 1969, Canberra was ordered to be deactivated.
USS CANBERRA OFF SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
September 30, 1969
B/W Photograph
US NAVY
2016.2.365

The USS Canberra was stricken from the naval registry in July 1978 and sold for scrap in July 1980.
USS CANBERRA SCRAPPED
Circa 1980
Color Photograph
USS Canberra Reunion Association
2016.2.296