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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS TRENTON (CL 11)



       

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Sierra - Romeo

CLASS - OMAHA
Displacement 7,050 Tons, Dimensions, 555' 6" (oa) x 55' 4" x 20' (Max)
Armament 12 x 6"/53, 2 x 3"/50AA, 10 x 21" tt.
Armor, 3" Belt, 1 1/2" Deck, 1 1/2 Conning Tower.
Machinery, 90,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Crew 458.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 18 AUG 1920 at William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, PA
Launched on 16 APR 1923
Commissioned 19 APR 1924
Powder explosion in Forward 6" Turret, 14 men killed 20 OCT 1924
Decommissioned 20 DEC 1945
Stricken 21 JAN 1946
Fate: Sold for scrap 29 DEC 1946 to Patapsco Scrap Co., Bethlehem, PA for the amount of $67,228.

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon - Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal - American Defense Service Medal w/FLEET Clasp
Second Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Milwaukee
0400546
NR NAVY'S NEW FAST SCOUT CRUISERS
The above picture shows the completed appearance of our new scout cruisers, the first of which, the Omaha (CL 4) was launched at Tacoma, Washington, in the middle of last month.
These ten scout cruisers will be named the Omaha, Milwaukee (CL 5), Cincinnati (CL 6), Raleigh (CL 7), Detroit (CL 8), Richmond (CL 9), Concord (CL 10), Trenton (CL 11), Marblehead (CL 12) & Memphis (CL 13) ......
Image and text provided by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE.
Photo from The Alliance Herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922, 25 January 1921, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trenton
0401125
447k

The Trenton (CL 11) was sponsored by camera shy Katherine E. Haulenbeek, nee Donnelly, daughter of Trenton Mayor Frederick W. Donnelly.

Photo courtesy of timesmachine.nytimes.com
Omaha class
0401327
786k Mines on an Omaha class (CL 4-13) light cruiser taken while the ship was underway at sea, looking aft, showing the very wet conditions that were typical on these cruisers' after decks when they were operating in a seaway. Photographed circa 1923-1925, prior to the addition of a deckhouse just forward of the ships' after twin six-inch gun mount. Donation of Ronald W. Compton, from the collection of his grandfather, Chief Machinist's Mate William C. Carlson, USN. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Photo NH-99637 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Omaha class
0401328
301k Mines on an Omaha class (CL 4-13) light cruiser seen from off the ship's starboard quarter, showing mines on their tracks fore and aft of the after six-inch gun mount. Donation of Ronald W. Compton, from the collection of his grandfather, Chief Machinist's Mate William C. Carlson, USN. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Photo NH-99638 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401122
131k

Trenton (CL 11) moored at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on 7 May 1924, three weeks after being commissioned.

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, George D. McDowell Collection.

Mike Green
Trenton
0401121
1.70k

The Trenton (CL 11) arriving and moored at the Washington Navy Yard on 29 September 1924. The ship had originally departed New York harbor on 24 May 1924 for her shakedown cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. On 14 August, while in she steamed in the Red Sea from Port Said, Egypt, to Aden, Arabia.Trenton was then ordered to Bushire, Persia, where she arrived on 25 August.

At Bushire, she took aboard the remains of Vice Consul Major Robert Imbrie who had been murdered on 23 July. Following stops at Suez and Port Said, Egypt, and at Villefranche, France, Trenton arrived at the Washington Navy Yard on 29 September 1924.

United States Library of Congress, Photo # LC-F81-32707

Mike Green
Trenton
0401124
151k Port side view of Trenton, Philadelphia, 21 October 1924. Michael Mohl
Trenton
0401101
850k MANY OTHERS HURT IN BLAST ON BOARD SHIP
No Reason Given For Tragedy On United States Cruiser Trenton (CL 11) .
One officer, Ensign Henry C. Drexler, USN, (pictured) and three enlisted men were instantly killed Monday afternoon when a powder charge in the forward twin turret of the crusier Trenton exploded off Norfolk. Four others were probably fatally injured, and seven more or less seriously burned....The dead:
ENSIGN HENRY CLAY DEXTER, of Deleware.
ROLAND PHILLIP HANSON seaman, third class.
WILLIAM ALFRED WALKER, seaman, third class.
BERNARD BEVERLY BRYAN, seaman, second class.
Photo NH-66702 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Image and text provided by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE.
Photo from The Frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965, 23 October 1924, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trenton
0401113
621k

Trenton (CL 11) 1924-1926.

Photo NH-67749 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401128
757k

Commissioning of Trenton (CL 11) on 19 April 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Trenton Mayor Frederick W. Donnelly stands in the center.

Photo UA 542.12.01 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton 92k

USS Trenton (CL 11) Photographed circa the mid-1920s.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 43751.

USNHC
Trenton
0401129
964k

Trenton (CL 11) carrying the U.S. secretary of the navy and the president of Haiti, passes in review of the U.S. fleet, off Gonaives, Haiti, about 1925. Arizona (BB-39) is the nearest battleship.

Photo NH-73962 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401131
347k

Vought O2U-1 (BU# A-7528) in flight during maneuvers off Cuba, circa 1928. Plane is from Observation Sq. three (Vo-3s), and is based on Trenton (CL 11). Note VO-3S insignia on the forward fuselage.

Photo NH-100489 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401103
794k

Old Glory flies from the stern of the Trenton (CL 11) in dry dock, South Boston, 6 December 1931.

Photo 08_06_004940 from the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection, courtesy of digitalcommonwealth.org
Trenton
0401106
445k

Trenton (CL 11) in dry dock, South Boston, 6 December 1931.

Photo 08_06_004631 from the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection, courtesy of digitalcommonwealth.org
Trenton 109k

USS Trenton (CL 11) At anchor, possibly at San Diego, California, circa the middle 1930s. Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 64632.

USNHC
Trenton
0401100
928k

Cruiser Formation captures Trenton (CL 11) (right) and her consorts crashing through heavy swells, 1934.

Photo NH-657 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton 107k

USS Trenton (CL 11) underway at sea, 23 October 1935.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 50251.

USNHC
Trenton
0401126
1.07k

View taken at Sydney, N. S. W., in February 1938, during her visit to that port. Note that the ship is "dressed overall" with the Australian flag at the main. Also note French Bougainille class sloop astern.

Photo NH-82486 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401127
627k

View of commemorative map of the cruise made from San Diego, U. S. A., to Australia, and back to San Diego, in late 1937 to early 1938. Cruise made by Trenton (CL 11), Memphis (CL 13) and Milwaukee (CL 5).

Photo NH-82488 courtesy of Oregon Army National Guard, Oregon Military Academy, 1975 via history.navy.mil
Milwaukee
0400545
NR ANOTHER LANGUAGE SPELLS FAREWELL at sea where planes dip low to say goodby to departing ships. When US cruisers Trenton (CL 11), (background) Memphis (CL 13) and Milwaukee (CL 5) (right) left Sydney, amphibians from Royal Australian navy dipped in farewell salute. Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections.
Photo from The Alaska Daily Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 16 March 1938, Image 8, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Trenton
0401105
604k

Trenton (CL 11) in Pearl Harbor during the later 1930s. Color tinted photo, reproduced by the ship's service store, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 1938.

Photo NH-91636 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401115
725k

Rotterdam, Netherlands circa 1939. Ships shown: Jacob Jones (DD 130), Badger (DD 126), Trenton (CL 11) .

Photo #UA 567.06.01 courtesy of John Melse Collection from history.navy.mil
Trenton 1.97k

USS Trenton (CL 11) In Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, circa 1939. Photographed by Tai Sing Loo. Trenton is carrying SOC floatplanes on her catapults. Donation of the Oregon Military Academy, Oregon National Guard, 1975.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 82489.

USNHC
Trenton
0401130
459k

Ensign Eric Allen, Jr., USN (1916-1941): USNA class of 1938.
On 12 August 1940, the day after he reported to NAS Pensacola to commence his flight training. He had just come from a tour of duty in Trenton (CL 11). Ultimately assigned to VF-6 in Enterprise (CV-6). He was shot down by U.S. anti-aircraft fire on the night of 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor; picked up by Viero (AM-52), he died at the Ford Island Dispensary soon thereafter.

Photo NH-96617 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Trenton
0401117
349k

Overhead port bow view of USS Trenton (CL 11) in the Gulf of Panama, 11 May 1943.

United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-44439

Mike Green
Trenton
0401118
200k

USS Trenton (CL 11) in the Gulf of Panama, 11 May 1943. Note depth charge racks on stern.

United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-44438

Mike Green
"Trenton
0401119
201k

USS Trenton (CL 11) in the Gulf of Panama, 11 May 1943. Stern view.

United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-44438

Mike Green
Trenton 90k

USS Trenton (CL 11) Underway in the Gulf of Panama, 11 May 1943.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-44440.

National Archives
Trenton 102k

USS Trenton (CL 11) Underway off Bona Island in the Gulf of Panama, 11 May 1943.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-44436.

National Archives
Concord
0401033
141k

Camouflage Measure 33, Design 2F (Starboard)

Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for light cruisers of the CL-4 (Omaha) class. This plan, approved by Captain Torvald A. Solberg, USN, is dated 3 June 1944. It shows the ship's port side. USS Concord (CL 10) and Trenton (CL 11) were painted in this scheme, though the colors used for the latter appear to have been the darker tones of Measure 32.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph #80-G-172992, now in the collections of the National Archives.

USN
Concord
0401034
170k

Camouflage Measure 33, Design 2F (Port)

Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for light cruisers of the CL-4 (Omaha) class. This plan, approved by Captain Torvald A. Solberg, USN, is dated 3 June 1944. It shows the ship's starboard side, superstructure ends and exposed decks. USS Concord (CL 10) and Trenton (CL 11) were painted in this scheme, though the colors used for the latter appear to have been the darker tones of Measure 32.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph #80-G-172991, now in the collections of the National Archives.

USN
Trenton 107k

USS Trenton (CL 11) Underway in the Gulf of Panama, 14 July 1944. She is wearing camouflage Measure 33, Design 2f.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-68655.

National Archives
Trenton
0401123
181k Cropped and colorized version of previous photo highlighting the Measure 33, Design 2f camoflague. Yu Chu
Trenton
0401120
187k

Starboard quarter view of USS Trenton (CL 11) underway in the Gulf of Panama, 14 July 1944.

United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-68656

Mike Green
Trenton 103k

USS Trenton (CL 11) In San Francisco Bay, California, 11 August 1944. She is wearing camouflage Measure 33, Design 2f.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-91697.

National Archives
Trenton
041116
318k

Broadside view of USS Trenton (CL 11) off Mare Island on 24 Aug 1945. She had been under repairs at the yard from 10 Aug to 24 Aug 1945.

U.S. Navy photo #6180-45

Darryl Baker
Detroit
014393
  Battleships in dry-dock; Tennessee (BB 43) & California (BB 44) taken between 8 May and 27 October 1946.
This photo comes from the U. S. Naval Institute and has an accompanying photocopy identifying all of the surrounding ships.
It does identify the two cruisers as Detroit (CL 8) (inboard) and Trenton (CL 11)(outboard). It also identifies two returned U.K. DEs: HMS Rupert (DE 96) outboard of Olympia (ex-C 6) (IX 40), and HMS Berry (DE 3) ahead of the cruisers, and visible in the California's photo (it's still wearing its British hull #--K312).
The Naval Institute photo was taken at a later date, as more of the "packaging" on the two battleships had been completed.
According to Tennessee's deck logs, she entered Drydock #5 with California on 8 May 1946.
South Dakota (BB 57) (mid-stern section visible at upper left of photo) subsequently entered Drydock #4--the 1946 "Navy Day" program from the shipyard indicates that this had taken place by 27th October of that year.

The four CLs that were scrapped in Drydock #4 at the Philadelphia NSY were: Omaha (CL 4), Cincinnati (CL 6), Raleigh (CL 7) and Marblehead (CL 12).
I have two documents from the 4th Naval District, and of course they give different completion dates for the scrapping of these ships. The first document (dated 1 Apr 46) indicates that scrapping was completed on 27 February of that year; the second document (also dated 1 April 46) gives the completion date as 10 March 1946.
(My notes also indicate that scrapping was completed at the yard on nine ex-destroyer types as of 29 March 46: Litchfield (DD 336), Pruitt (DD 347), Jouett (DD 396), Clark (DD 361), Balch (DD 363), Sampson (DD 394), Schley (DD 103), Stringham (DD 83) and Whipple (DD 217).

The remaining CLs; Detroit (CL 8), Trenton (CL 11), Richmond (CL 9), Concord (CL 10) and Memphis (CL 13) were all sold to the Patapsco Scrap Co. of Baltimore. The sales bid (B-76-47AV T) was opened on 6 Dec 46; the five ships were sold for $336,140 (or $67,228 each), and custody of the ships was transferred to Patapsco between 27 December 46 and 21 January 47.
Note also that the attached photo distinctly shows that both cruisers have all four funnels--I think it's an optical illusion that either of these had had any of them removed.

The "light colored objects" in front of the two cruisers might "possibly" be barbettes from the Illinois (BB 65). According to drawings in the 1945 "Gun Mount and Turret Catalog", these two items appear to be about the same diameter as the barbettes for the two BBs' Tennessee & California; 14"/50 triple gun turrets; inside diameter 31 feet, from the same source -- outside diameter would have been about 33 feet. The Illinois barbettes would have an inside diameter about 37 1/4 feet, outside diameter rather over 39 feet.

USN photo submitted by Joe Lewis, courtesy of U. S. Naval Institute. Majority text by Joe Lewis.
Chuck Haberlein contributed to the (BB-65) i.d. with text.

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Kalbfus, Edward Clifford (Dutch), CAPT   ADM 04/19/1924 - 06/10/1926
Taussig, Joseph Knefler, CAPT 1899 VADM 09/06/1926 - 10/07/1927
Doyle, Stafford Henry Rahall (Stiffy), CAPT     10/07/1927 - 07/08/1929
Freyer, Frank Barrons, CAPT     07/08/1929 - 06/27/1931
Newton, John Henry, CAPT   RADM 06/26/1931
Goss, Nelson Henry, CAPT     05/28/1933 - 12/05/1934
London, John Jackson, CAPT     12/05/1934 - 06/26/1936
Magruder, Cary Walthall, CAPT     06/26/1936 - 06/08/1937
Braisted, Frank Alfred, CAPT     06/08/1937 - 12/22\/1938
Barry, James Richard, CAPT     12/22/1938 -
Struble, Arthur Dewey, CAPT   ADM 01/02/1941 - 05/25/1942
Gregory, Joseph Wesley, CAPT     05/25/1942 - 1943
Coleman, William Bryan, CAPT     06/24/1944
Talbert, Joesph Truitt, CAPT     08/20/1945 - 12/20/1945

(List courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)


USS TRENTON (CL 11) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Mr. Robert J Drew
Address: 614 S Washington Ave Union, MO, 63084-2125
Phone: None
E-mail: None


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Cruiser Photo Index Page

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Last updated on 11/15/2020