USS Duluth CL-87
(Above) USS Duluth (CL-87), underway in Hampton Roads area, Virginia, 10 October 1944, while enroute to the southern Chesapeake Bay for sea training. Her camouflage is Measure 32, Design 11a.
(Above) USS Duluth (CL-87), underway in Hampton Roads area, Virginia, 10 October 1944, while enroute to the southern Chesapeake Bay for sea training. Her camouflage is Measure 32, Design 11a.
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The first USS DULUTH was one of the 27 CLEVELAND-class Light Cruisers and the first ship in the Navy named after the city in Minnesota. Commissioned in September 1944, the Duluth served as an Atlantic fleet training platform until transiting to the Pacific fleet to aid in the march to peace with Japan.
The first USS DULUTH was one of the 27 CLEVELAND-class Light Cruisers and the first ship in the Navy named after the city in Minnesota. Commissioned in September 1944, the Duluth served as an Atlantic fleet training platform until transiting to the Pacific fleet to aid in the march to peace with Japan.
Decommissioned in June 1949, the DULUTH spent the following ten years in the Reserve Fleet. She was stricken from the Navy list in January 1960 and sold for scrapping in September of that year. All 27 ships of this class of warships, though worked heavily and damaged in some cases, survived the war.
Decommissioned in June 1949, the DULUTH spent the following ten years in the Reserve Fleet. She was stricken from the Navy list in January 1960 and sold for scrapping in September of that year. All 27 ships of this class of warships, though worked heavily and damaged in some cases, survived the war.
DULUTH's commissioning Commanding Officer was Captain Donald R. Osborn, Jr., USN, US Naval Academy Class of 1920.
DULUTH's commissioning Commanding Officer was Captain Donald R. Osborn, Jr., USN, US Naval Academy Class of 1920.
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General Characteristics
General Characteristics
Awarded: September 9, 1940
Awarded: September 9, 1940
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, VA
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, VA
Namesake: City of Duluth, Minnesota
Namesake: City of Duluth, Minnesota
Type: Cleveland Class Light Cruiser
Type: Cleveland Class Light Cruiser
Keel Laid: November 9, 1942
Keel Laid: November 9, 1942
Launched: January 13, 1944
Launched: January 13, 1944
Sponsored By: Mrs. Edward H. (Ella) Hatch; Wife of the Mayor of Duluth, MN
Sponsored By: Mrs. Edward H. (Ella) Hatch; Wife of the Mayor of Duluth, MN
Commissioned: September 18, 1944
Commissioned: September 18, 1944
Decommissioned: June 25, 1949
Decommissioned: June 25, 1949
Stricken: January 1, 1960
Stricken: January 1, 1960
Sold: November 14, 1960
Sold: November 14, 1960
Propulsion System: 4 - 634 PSI Steam Boilers
Propulsion System: 4 - 634 PSI Steam Boilers
4 - Geared Turbines - 100,000 SHP
4 - Geared Turbines - 100,000 SHP
4 Screws
4 Screws
Length: 610.2 Feet
Length: 610.2 Feet
Beam: 66.3 Feet
Beam: 66.3 Feet
Draft: 24.6 Feet
Draft: 24.6 Feet
Displacement: 14,130 Tons - Fully Loaded
Displacement: 14,130 Tons - Fully Loaded
Speed: 32.5 Knots
Speed: 32.5 Knots
Range: 11,000 Miles @ 15 Knots
Range: 11,000 Miles @ 15 Knots
Aircraft Carried: Four Float Planes
Aircraft Carried: Four Float Planes
Aviation Facilities: Two Stern Catapults
Aviation Facilities: Two Stern Catapults
Armament: Twelve 6-Inch/47 Caliber Mark 16 Guns in Four Triple Mounts
Armament: Twelve 6-Inch/47 Caliber Mark 16 Guns in Four Triple Mounts
Twelve 5-Inch/38 Caliber Guns in Six Twin Mounts
Twelve 5-Inch/38 Caliber Guns in Six Twin Mounts
Four Quad 40MM Bofors Anti-Aircraft Guns
Four Quad 40MM Bofors Anti-Aircraft Guns
Six Dual 40MM Bofors Anti-Aircraft Guns
Six Dual 40MM Bofors Anti-Aircraft Guns
Ten Single 20mm Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft Cannons
Ten Single 20mm Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft Cannons
Armor: Belt: 5 Inches
Armor: Belt: 5 Inches
Deck: 2 Inches
Deck: 2 Inches
Barbettes: 6 Inches
Barbettes: 6 Inches
Turrets: 6 Inches
Turrets: 6 Inches
Conning Tower: 5 Inches
Conning Tower: 5 Inches
Awards: China Service Medal
Awards: China Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Navy World War II Occupation w/Asia Clasp
Navy World War II Occupation w/Asia Clasp
Crew: Officers and 1,285 Enlisted
Crew: Officers and 1,285 Enlisted
Int'l Call Sign: NUBP
Int'l Call Sign: NUBP
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USS DULUTH CL-87 History
USS DULUTH CL-87 History
USS DULUTH was launched 13 January 1944 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Virginia; sponsored by Mrs. Edward H. (Ella) Hatch, wife of the Mayor of Duluth, Minnesota; and commissioned 18 September 1944, Captain D. R. Osborn, Jr., in command.
USS DULUTH was launched 13 January 1944 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Virginia; sponsored by Mrs. Edward H. (Ella) Hatch, wife of the Mayor of Duluth, Minnesota; and commissioned 18 September 1944, Captain D. R. Osborn, Jr., in command.
From 14 December 1944 to 2 March 1945 DULUTH served as a training cruiser at Newport, Rhode Island. After brief overhaul at Norfolk, she sailed 7 April, through the Canal Zone, for the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 29 April 1945. On 8 May she got underway to join the 5th Fleet and rendezvoused with the fast carriers on 27 May. Severe structural damage to her bow suffered in a typhoon 5 June forced her to return to Guam for repairs, but she rejoined Task Force 38 on 21 July to screen during the final air strikes on the Japanese homeland which continued until the end of the war on 2 September 1945.
From 14 December 1944 to 2 March 1945 DULUTH served as a training cruiser at Newport, Rhode Island. After brief overhaul at Norfolk, she sailed 7 April, through the Canal Zone, for the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 29 April 1945. On 8 May she got underway to join the 5th Fleet and rendezvoused with the fast carriers on 27 May. Severe structural damage to her bow suffered in a typhoon 5 June forced her to return to Guam for repairs, but she rejoined Task Force 38 on 21 July to screen during the final air strikes on the Japanese homeland which continued until the end of the war on 2 September 1945.
The DULUTH formed part of the cruiser screen for the carrier force during the last few weeks of the war, when the carriers were engaged in a series of attacks on the Japanese home islands. The DULUTH was awarded two Battle Stars for her brief combat career.
The DULUTH formed part of the cruiser screen for the carrier force during the last few weeks of the war, when the carriers were engaged in a series of attacks on the Japanese home islands. The DULUTH was awarded two Battle Stars for her brief combat career.
From 24 August 1945 until she entered Tokyo Bay 16 September 1945, DULUTH operated with Task Force 38, which was providing radar picket and combat air patrol for transport aircraft flying occupation forces into Japan. On 1 October 1945 DULUTH sailed for the United States, arriving at Seattle, Washington on 19 October 1945 for Navy Day celebrations.
From 24 August 1945 until she entered Tokyo Bay 16 September 1945, DULUTH operated with Task Force 38, which was providing radar picket and combat air patrol for transport aircraft flying occupation forces into Japan. On 1 October 1945 DULUTH sailed for the United States, arriving at Seattle, Washington on 19 October 1945 for Navy Day celebrations.
Based in San Pedro, California, DULUTH served a tour of duty in the Far East between 3 January 1946 and 27 September 1946, and on 24 February 1947 sailed for an extended visit at Pearl Harbor, TH. Between May and July 1947, she visited Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Truk, Guam; and Manila. She served again the Far East patrolling the China coast during the Chinese civil war, between 22 September 1947 and 19 May 1948, when she returned to her new homeport, Long Beach California. She carried NROTC Midshipmen on a training cruise to British Columbia, Canada in the summer of 1948, and in February 1949 joined in cold-weather operations off Kodiak, Alaska. She was placed out of commission in reserve 25 June 1949, and sold on 14 November 1960.
Based in San Pedro, California, DULUTH served a tour of duty in the Far East between 3 January 1946 and 27 September 1946, and on 24 February 1947 sailed for an extended visit at Pearl Harbor, TH. Between May and July 1947, she visited Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Truk, Guam; and Manila. She served again the Far East patrolling the China coast during the Chinese civil war, between 22 September 1947 and 19 May 1948, when she returned to her new homeport, Long Beach California. She carried NROTC Midshipmen on a training cruise to British Columbia, Canada in the summer of 1948, and in February 1949 joined in cold-weather operations off Kodiak, Alaska. She was placed out of commission in reserve 25 June 1949, and sold on 14 November 1960.
DULUTH received two battle stars for her World War II service.
DULUTH received two battle stars for her World War II service.
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Click on the link below to read the journal of S1C Kenneth Priest, who served aboard USS Duluth CL-87 from December 1945 to June 1946
Click on the link below to read the journal of S1C Kenneth Priest, who served aboard USS Duluth CL-87 from December 1945 to June 1946
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Commanding Officers
Commanding Officers
Capt. Donald R. Osborn, Jr. 18 Sep 1944 - 21 Sep 1945
Capt. Donald R. Osborn, Jr. 18 Sep 1944 - 21 Sep 1945
Capt. Samuel W. DuBois 21 Sep 1945 - ??
Capt. Samuel W. DuBois 21 Sep 1945 - ??
Cdr. John J. Hyland, Jr. 1948 - ??
Cdr. John J. Hyland, Jr. 1948 - ??
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Click on the link below to view the entire contents of the special 1947 Shellback Cruise Book.
Click on the link below to view the entire contents of the special 1947 Shellback Cruise Book.
This cruise book was generously provided by AOM3 Bob Tankersley, who served aboard
This cruise book was generously provided by AOM3 Bob Tankersley, who served aboard
USS Duluth CL-87 in 1946 & 1947
USS Duluth CL-87 in 1946 & 1947
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On February 18th 2020, this message, with attachments, was received by the USS Duluth Crewmembers Association. It is our honor and privilege to share this with you:
On February 18th 2020, this message, with attachments, was received by the USS Duluth Crewmembers Association. It is our honor and privilege to share this with you:
Hello.
Hello.
I am the daughter in law of Richard G Grant. He has passed away and his wife shortly thereafter. I received some of their personal items. Part of which were letters he wrote to his wife where he asked her to marry him while serving on the Duluth in 1945-1946.
I am the daughter in law of Richard G Grant. He has passed away and his wife shortly thereafter. I received some of their personal items. Part of which were letters he wrote to his wife where he asked her to marry him while serving on the Duluth in 1945-1946.
I also found the attached and below poem he wrote about his time on the ship when they hit the Typhoon and the hull twisted and they ported in Guam.
I also found the attached and below poem he wrote about his time on the ship when they hit the Typhoon and the hull twisted and they ported in Guam.
I hope you can use this.
I hope you can use this.
He was a wonderful man, a veteran and wanted to get back to marry his "Faye McNeil".
He was a wonderful man, a veteran and wanted to get back to marry his "Faye McNeil".
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What follows, is the poem, as written by Richard Grant, aboard USS Duluth CL-87.
What follows, is the poem, as written by Richard Grant, aboard USS Duluth CL-87.
While this is the typed version of the poem, the original handwritten version is available by clicking on the button below, which will link to the original.
While this is the typed version of the poem, the original handwritten version is available by clicking on the button below, which will link to the original.
The History of the Dirty "D" (or Duluth)
The History of the Dirty "D" (or Duluth)
The Dirty D went to sea
The Dirty D went to sea
To Fight the Japanese
To Fight the Japanese
The crew was good, knew where they stood
The crew was good, knew where they stood
From firing at, done on sleeves (?)
From firing at, done on sleeves (?)
From dawn to Dark, the Bos'n barked,
From dawn to Dark, the Bos'n barked,
"A Sleeve on either beam"
"A Sleeve on either beam"
The A. A. Crew, drilled through and through
The A. A. Crew, drilled through and through
Are getting it , it seems.
Are getting it , it seems.
Those days were rough, the gun Boss tough
Those days were rough, the gun Boss tough
For "head 'em dammit", wasn't strange
For "head 'em dammit", wasn't strange
As time will tell, when drilled like hell,
As time will tell, when drilled like hell,
They finally got the range.
They finally got the range.
Were headed west to face the the test
Were headed west to face the the test
The skipper all smiles too
The skipper all smiles too
For he's seen the bars & pretty stars
For he's seen the bars & pretty stars
Our hero's brave & true.
Our hero's brave & true.
He has a few but far too few
He has a few but far too few
He's sworn he'll have the rest
He's sworn he'll have the rest
He'll kill the crew if he has to
He'll kill the crew if he has to
To adorn his brawny (bony? ) chest.
To adorn his brawny (bony? ) chest.
Were with the fleet just bare one week
Were with the fleet just bare one week
And maybe five days only
And maybe five days only
While the skippers eyes are in the skies
While the skippers eyes are in the skies
Those medals won't get lonely.
Those medals won't get lonely.
He little knew the winds that blew
He little knew the winds that blew
Nor little did he care
Nor little did he care
the days were bright
the days were bright
His heart was light.
His heart was light.
The weather here is might queer
The weather here is might queer
A hurricane is nigh
A hurricane is nigh
We'll change the course to miss the force
We'll change the course to miss the force
And let the thing go by.
And let the thing go by.
The night wore on, t'was almost dawn
The night wore on, t'was almost dawn
We resumed original course
We resumed original course
While the Hurricane turned again
While the Hurricane turned again
This time in double force.
This time in double force.
It seems as tho we were in tow
It seems as tho we were in tow
By some strange force unseen.
By some strange force unseen.
It shook the "D" there in the sea
It shook the "D" there in the sea
The storm was very mean.
The storm was very mean.
At six o'clock right on the dot
At six o'clock right on the dot
or so the records show
or so the records show
the Pittsburg's bow got loose somehow
the Pittsburg's bow got loose somehow
and went by very slow.
and went by very slow.
The Warrant "chips" with grin pressed lips
The Warrant "chips" with grin pressed lips
Say, "Get to hell out now"
Say, "Get to hell out now"
That last big crack was this ships back
That last big crack was this ships back
But t'was really just the bow.
But t'was really just the bow.
Work night and day to make it stay
Work night and day to make it stay
For the storm had had its fun
For the storm had had its fun
With rags & blocks, & old wool socks
With rags & blocks, & old wool socks
We stopped the water some.
We stopped the water some.
We joined our force and took our course
We joined our force and took our course
The speed was very slow
The speed was very slow
the bow would squeek the cracks would leak
the bow would squeek the cracks would leak
the ship would hardly go.
the ship would hardly go.
With speed too high and curses nigh
With speed too high and curses nigh
The skipper vowed to do
The skipper vowed to do
"I'll keep my place before disgrace
"I'll keep my place before disgrace
or tear this ship into"
or tear this ship into"
Says Admiral McCain, "Come back again"
Says Admiral McCain, "Come back again"
Your ruptured ship aren't worth the trip
Your ruptured ship aren't worth the trip
Slack speed and drop away.
Slack speed and drop away.
We started back the long, long, track
We started back the long, long, track
To Guam or maybe stateside
To Guam or maybe stateside
The wounded virgin still charging
The wounded virgin still charging
Will have a rugged ride.
Will have a rugged ride.
Two days go by, we heave a sigh
Two days go by, we heave a sigh
We fuel we'll get a rest
We fuel we'll get a rest
"Till word goes round & round & round
"Till word goes round & round & round
"Tis field day & the best.
"Tis field day & the best.
It goes to show where 'er you go
It goes to show where 'er you go
If you are paint work happy
If you are paint work happy
You scrub& clean & make them gleam
You scrub& clean & make them gleam
But that don't make you scrappy.
But that don't make you scrappy.
So, I'll still say that when my day
So, I'll still say that when my day
In Navy life is through
In Navy life is through
The only way to make me stay
The only way to make me stay
Is just to draft me too.
Is just to draft me too.
Yours truly
Yours truly
aboard the
aboard the
U.S.S. Duluth
U.S.S. Duluth
(CL 87) R. Div
(CL 87) R. Div
45-46
45-46
For the original handwritten version of this poem, click on the button below:
For the original handwritten version of this poem, click on the button below:
