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 EnglandPRESIDENT 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
For a detailed history of the USSCanberra on the Naval History and Heritage Command website click HERE.