USS Quincy (CA-39)

USS "Quincy" (CA-39) was a United States Navy "New Orleans"-class heavy cruiser sunk at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. She was laid down by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, Massachusetts, 15 November 1933, launched 19 June 1935, sponsored by Mrs. Henry S. Morgan, and commissioned at Boston 9 June 1936, Captain William Faulkner Amsden in command.

Pre-war service

Soon after being assigned to Cruiser Division 8, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, "Quincy" was ordered to Mediterranean waters 20 July 1936, to protect American interests in Spain during the height of the Spanish Civil War. "Quincy" passed through the Straits of Gibraltar 26 July and arrived at Málaga, Spain, 27 July to assume her duties. While in Spanish waters, she operated with an international rescue fleet that included the German pocket battleships "Deutschland", "Admiral Graf Spee", and "Admiral Scheer". "Quincy" evacuated 490 refugees to Marseille and Villefranche, France, before being relieved by "Raleigh" (CL-7) 27 September.

"Quincy" returned to the Boston Navy Yard 5 October for refit preparatory to final acceptance trials which were held 15 March–18 March 1937. She got underway for the Pacific 12 April to join Cruiser Division 7, transited the Panama Canal 23 April–27 April and arrived at Pearl Harbor 10 May.

"Quincy" sortied with Cruiser Divisions, Pacific Fleet, 20 May on a tactical exercise which was the first of many such maneuvers that she participated in during 1937 and 1938. From 15 March–28 April, she engaged in important battle practice off Hawaii with the Pacific Fleet in Fleet Problem XIX. After an overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, "Quincy" resumed tactical operations with her division off San Clemente, California, until her redeployment to the Atlantic 4 January 1939.

"Quincy" transited the Panama Canal 13 January bound for Guantanamo Bay where she engaged in gunnery practice and amphibious exercises. She also took part in Fleet Problem XX with the Atlantic Fleet 13 February–26 February. "Quincy" later made a South American goodwill tour 10 April–12 June, and upon returning to Norfolk, embarked reservists for three training cruises 9 July–24 August. She spent the remainder of 1939 on patrol in the North Atlantic due to the outbreak of World War II.

After overhaul at Norfolk until 4 May 1940, "Quincy" again visited Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, returning to Norfolk 22 September. She completed three more reserve training cruises 1 October–20 December.

"Quincy" was occupied in Atlantic Fleet maneuvers and landing force exercises off Culebra Island, Puerto Rico 3 February–1 April 1941. With the growth of hostilities in Europe, she was ordered to Task Force 2 and operated with "Wasp" (CV-7) in the mid-Atlantic, preserving U.S. neutrality 26 April–6 June. Later, she operated with "Yorktown" (CV-5) and Task Force 28 until sailing for home 14 July.

World War II

On 28 July 1941, "Quincy" sailed with Task Force 16 for Iceland on neutrality duty which included a patrol in the Denmark Straits 21 September–24 September. She returned to Newfoundland with a convoy 31 October. "Quincy" then proceeded to Cape Town, South Africa, via Trinidad, where she met a convoy which she escorted back to Trinidad 29 December 1941.

"Quincy" returned 25 January 1942 to Icelandic waters on convoy duty with Task Force 15 and made a patrol in the Denmark Straits 8 March–11 March. She departed 14 March for the U.S. and an overhaul at the New York Navy Yard that lasted until the end of May.

"Quincy" sailed for San Diego 5 June via the Panama Canal and arrived 19 June. She was then assigned to Task Force 18 as the flagship of Rear Admiral Norman R. Scott, Commander, Cruisers.

"Quincy" got underway for the South Pacific in July with other vessels assembling for the invasion of Guadalcanal.

Prior to the Marine assault on Guadalcanal 7 August, "Quincy" destroyed several Japanese installations and an oil depot during her bombardment of Lunga Point. She later provided close fire support for the Marines during the landing.

Loss at the Battle of Savo Island

While on patrol in the channel between Florida Island and Savo Island, in the early hours of 9 August 1942, "Quincy" was attacked by a large Japanese naval force during the Battle of Savo Island and sustained many direct hits, with all guns out of action, which killed 370 men including the captain and 167 men wounded. She sank at an area which was later known as Ironbottom Sound.

Awards

"Quincy" earned one battle star during World War II.

See also

* See USS "Quincy" for other Navy ships of the same name.
* See List of U.S. Navy losses in World War II for other Navy ships lost in WWII.

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-q/ca39.htm Navy photographs of "Quincy" (CA-39)]

Notes

References

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