USS New Orleans (CA-32)

USS New Orleans (CA-32)

USS New Orleans (CA-32) (formerly CL-32) was a United States Navy heavy cruiser, the lead ship of her class. The New Orleans-class represented the last of the Treaty Cruisers, built to the specifications and standards of the Washington Naval Treaty. Originally, USS Astoria (CA-34) was the lead ship of this class. However, Astoria received a later hull number than New Orleans due to the fact she was launched later despite the fact she was laid down first. The class was renamed because Astoria was sunk at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. Also, immediately following the Guadalcanal Campaign the remaining ships of the class would go through major overhauls in order to lessen top heaviness of the ships due to new electrical and radar systems as well as more anti-aircraft weaponry which was being added as technology advanced. In doing so the ships took on a new appearance, most notably in the bridge area, and became known as the New Orleans-class.

She was laid down on 14 March 1931 by New York Navy Yard, launched on 12 April 1933, sponsored by Cora S. Jahncke, daughter of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned on 15 February 1934, Captain Allen B. Reed in command.