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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS MARBLEHEAD (CL 12)


     
Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Romeo - 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 4 AUG 1920 at William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, PA
Launched on 9 OCT 1923
Commissioned 08 SEP 1924
Explosion of Gun #6, 3 men killed 28 JUL 1936
Decommissioned 01 NOV 1945
Stricken 28 NOV 1945
Fate: Sold for scrap 27 FEB 1946.

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Combat Action Ribbon - Navy Unit Commendation - Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
Second Row - Yangtze Service Medal - Navy China Service Medal - American Defense Service Medal w/FLEET Clasp
Third Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (1)
Fourth Row - World War II Victory Medal - Philippine Presidential Unit Citation - Philippine Defense 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.
Marblehead 119k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) Being prepared for launching at the William Cramp & Son shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 9 October 1923. Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco, California, 1969.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 69021.

USNHC
Marblehead
0401230
NR Scout Cruiser Marblehead Is Launched
Here, sliding down the ways at the Cramp shipyard,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the newest addition to the U. S. navy, just after she had been christened USS Marblehead (CL 12) by Mrs. Hannah Martin Evans, mother of the first man, Lieut Charles Herbert Evans, from Marblehead, Mass., to meet death in the World war. The new vessel is 555 feet long beam at waterline, and is a combined scout cruiser, flotilla leader, mine layer and airplane carrier. The illustration also shows Mrs. Evans.
Image and text provided by Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT.
Photo from The Kevin Review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 01 November 1923, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Marblehead
0401209
347k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) about to leave the ways.

Text & Photograph from Ships of the United States Navy and Their Sponsors, pg. 122

Ships of the United States Navy and Their Sponsors
Marblehead 90k Undated starboard side view. Russ Padden
Marblehead 78k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) steaming at top speed during trials, 15 August 1924.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 46638.

USNHC
Marblehead
0401232
NR Before its formal induction into Uncle Sam’s Naval array, the USS Marblehead (CL 12), a new cruiser, broke the worlds speed record for cruisers by making thirty-five knots an hour.Image and text provided by Rutgers University Libraries.
Photo from Beverly Banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 05 December 1924, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
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
Marblehead
0401228
118k

USS Marblehead (CL 12), on 9 September 1924, at Pier 5 of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Commissioned one day earlier, the ship is preparing to leave on a cruise that will take her to English, French, Mediterranean and African ports of call.

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, George D. McDowell Collection. No. P561001B.

USNHC
Marblehead
0401234
NR ALL SHINED UP AND READY FOR LONG LINE OF NAVY DAY VISITORS
WASHINGTON and the nation today aided by the Navy is observing the 154th anniversary of Navy Day. Hundreds of Washingtonians visited the Navy Yard during the day, inspecting ships, shops and buildings which were thrown open to the public. The cruiser USS Marblehead (CL 12), which arrived here yesterday, was the chief object of the visitors. Tiny youngsters swarmed over the ship being shown around by members of the crew. The picture at the left shows Captain Harry K. Cage, commander of the cruiser. The center picture shows the galley force on the while the picture at the right shows the Marblehead just after it docked at the Navy Yard.
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from The Washington Times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 27 October 1928, Image 3, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Marblehead
0401225
342k

USS Marblehead in an unknown Navy Yard, November 1929.

From the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

Michael Mohl
Marblehead 98k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) in harbor, circa the early 1930s. The location may be San Diego, California. Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 64633.

USNHC
Marblehead
0401222
455k

USS Marblehead in dry dock #2, Boston Navy Yard, June 1932. The carpenter shop is visible to the left and the Bunker Hill Monument (obelisk) is above the gun turret. (Caption updated by Curtis Tammany)

From the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

Michael Mohl/Mike Green
Marblehead
0401223
341k

USS Marblehead in dry dock #2, Boston Navy Yard, June 1932. (Caption updated by Curtis Tammany)

From the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

Michael Mohl
Marblehead
0401224
510k

USS Marblehead in dry dock #2, Boston Navy Yard, June 1932. (Caption updated by Curtis Tammany)

From the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

Michael Mohl
Marblehead
0401201
3.10k Overhead, Starboard side underway, 10 January 1933. Excellent image showing details of this class. Record Group 80: General Records of the Department of the NavySeries: General Photographic Files
USS Marblehead (CL 12) Aerial, starboard side, underway.
Local ID: 80-G-466558
National Archives Identifier:520828
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
Marblehead 1.13k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) Underway in San Diego harbor, California, 10 January 1935. Photographed from USS Dobbin (AD 3). Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

Text & Photograph from history.navy.mil

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 64611.
Marblehead
0401229
NR KILLED ON ACCIDENT ON NAVY VESSEL
EXPLOSION ON CRUISER; TWO SAILORS DEAD
Others Are Injured, Two Seriously, Aboard USS Marblehead (CL 12)
BREECH BLOCK OF GUN IS SHATTERED
Housing Turned Into Blazing Crypt—Injured Man Asks for Cigarette.
Image and text provided by Alaska State Library Historical Collections
Photo from The Daily Alaska Empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 29 July 1936, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Marblehead
0401203
NR OFF FOR THE SHANGHAI FRONT.
Sixth Regiment Marines embarking on the cruiser Marblehead (CL 12) at San Diego to have a look at the Sino-Japanese brawl and protect American interests in the Shanghai district
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 05 September 1937, Image 67, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Marblehead
0401208
1.07k Marblehead (CL 12) departing Shanghai for Tsingtao, on 19 December 1937. Taken from USS Augusta (CA-31). Note Japanese armored cruiser Idzumo in background (beyond Marblehead) and U.S. flag painted across Augusta's forward turret.Photo NH-78022 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Marblehead
0401226
190k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) at Manila Bay in 1939, taken from one of the Asiatic fleet 4-pipers (either USS Pope (DD 225) or USS Edsall (DD 219)).

Navy Memorial via Don Kehn, Jr. & Richard Lillie

Don Kehn, Jr.
Marblehead 101k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) at Tjilatjap, Java, after she had been damaged by Japanese high-level bombing attack in the Java Sea on 4 February 1942. This view shows the effect of an enemy bomb which struck her stern. Her after 6"/53 gun turret is at left. Note the blanked off portholes on her hull side.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-237439.

National Archives
Marblehead
0401202
371k Marblehead (CL 12) view taken aboard ship in February 1942. Showing makeshift barbershop rigged up under an awning amidships. Shop belowdecks had been damaged during the air attack which heavily damaged the ship on 4 February 1942 in the Flores.Photo 80-G-237443 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Marblehead
0401227
154kk

USS Marblehead (CL 12) showing bow-on view, at New York Navy Yard, N.Y., May 1942 while there for repairs and refit after returning from the southwest Pacific theater. Her bow was slightly bent (8" to starboard) in a collision with the Dutch harbor tug Kraus at Tjilatjap, Java, on 13 February 1942. Note crew painting ship (top); also anchors.

United States National Archives, Photo No. 80-G-13822
Mike Green
Marblehead 1.5m

USS Marblehead (CL 12) under repair at the New York Navy Yard, circa June 1942, after she had been damaged by Japanese high-level bombing attack in the Java sea on 4 February 1942. This view shows new deck plating on the cruiser's stern. Her after 6"/53 gun turret is in the center.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-254938.

National Archives
Marblehead 211k Port quarter view after completion of repairs. October 1942. NavSea
Marblehead 130k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) off New York City, 14 October 1942. Note the Starboard catapult which is being prepared for launch.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-34914.

National Archives/Scott Dyben
Marblehead
0401218
721k Marblehead (CL 12) off New York City, 11 October 1942. Statue of Liberty in background.Photo 80-G-237443 courtesy of history.navy.mil
Marblehead
0401233
NR HE HELPED BRING THE MARBLEHEAD (CL 12) HOME
Image and text provided by Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library.
Photo from Detroit Evening Times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 13 May 1942, NIGHT EDITION, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Marblehead
0401231
NR Heroes of the Washington Area
REAR ADMIRAL ARTHUR G. ROBINSON
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 12 December 1943, Image 93, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Marblehead 77k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) off New York City, 6 May 1944.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives #19-N-69394.

National Archives
Marblehead 90k

USS Marblehead (CL 12) underway at sea, 10 May 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98035.

USNHC
Marblehead
0401235
2.29k THE USS MARBLEHEAD (CL 12) COMES HOME!Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
National Archives Identifier: 513505
Local Identifier: 44-PA-9
Marblehead 75k

USS Franklin (CV 13) (at left) Steams past USS Marblehead (CL 12), in New York Harbor, circa 28 April 1945, after her arrival from the Pacific for battle damage repairs.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-K-4777.

National Archives
Marblehead
0401220
145k Ex-Marblehead (CL 12) being scrapped in Dry Dock No. 4 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on January 10, 1946. To the left is ex-Cincinnati (CL 6), behind left is ex-Raleigh (CL 7) and behind right is ex-Omaha (CL 4).

Library of Congress, HAER PA,51-PHILA,709D—20

Mike Green
Marblehead
0401221
166k Scrapping of ex-Marblehead (CL 12), ex-Cincinnati (CL 6), ex-Omaha (CL 4), and ex-Raleigh (CL 7). Naval Shipyard Philadelphia. February 18, 1946. Mike Green

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Final Rank Dates
Shackford, Chauncey, CAPT   09/08/1924 - 12/16/1925
Miller, William Siebel, CAPT   12/16/1925 -
Cage, Harry Kimball, CAPT   10/11/1927 - 06/01/1929
Koch, Ralph A., CAPT   06/01/1929 - 12/29/1930
Furlong, William Rea, CAPT RADM 12/29/1930 -
Crosse, Charles Washburn, CAPT   ~1936
Carter, Worrall Reed., CAPT   ~1938
Robinson, Arthur Granville, CAPT VADM ~1941 -
Kraker, George Patton, CAPT   ~1944 -

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


USS MARBLEHEAD (CL 12) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Mr. Ray Kester
Address: 6128 Sherborn Ln Springfield, VA, 22152-1630
Phone: 703-451-2520
E-mail: raykstr@bellatlantic.net


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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