USS Birmingham (CL 62) Launching, at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company shipyard, Newport News, Virginia, 20 March 1942. Courtesy of James Russell, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 75592.

USS Birmingham (CL 62) Underway in the Hampton Roads area, Virginia, on 20 February 1943. This image has been retouched by wartime censors to obscure radar antennas atop the ship's gun directors.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph

USS Birmingham (CL 62) Underway in the Hampton Roads area, Virginia, on 20 February 1943. Photographed by Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads. Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute. James C. Fahey Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 90021.

Aerial view while underway in the Hampton Roads area on 20 Feb 1943. Note the open Aircraft Hanger hatch on the fantail.

USN Photo.

Torpedo damage diagram on the USS Birmingham (CL 62) from hit suffered off the Solomon Islands on 8 November 1943.

Navy Department Library, War Damage Report No. 48, USS Birmingham (CL62) Torpedo and Bomb Damage, Solomon Islands, 8 November, 1943.

Bomb damage diagram on the USS Birmingham (CL 62) from hit suffered off the Solomon Islands on 8 November 1943.

Navy Department Library, War Damage Report No. 48, USS Birmingham (CL62) Torpedo and Bomb Damage, Solomon Islands, 8 November, 1943.

Damage to Turret #4 sustained on the night of 8 November 1943. Here is a quote from DANFS on the incident - "Just as the damage and flooding was contained by shoring-up the surrounding bulkheads, another Val swung past a destroyer and made a run against Birmingham from the port beam. Taken under fire, the bomber exploded over the warship and splashed 100-yards off the starboard beam. The stricken planes’ bomb hit turret #4, damaging the mount and all three gun barrels in the ensuing explosion. Two sailors were killed and 32 wounded in these attacks."

The BuShips damage report from this battle can be found on the contributors website.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Bomb damage to No. 2 gun on No. 4 turret from bomb explosion on the USS Birmingham (CL 62) off the Solomon Islands on November 8, 1943.

Navy Department Library, War Damage Report No. 48, USS Birmingham (CL62) Torpedo and Bomb Damage, Solomon Islands, 8 November, 1943.

Quote from DANFS: "At 1911, the three light cruisers began firing 6-inch gun salvos at a range of 18,000 yards as the dozen or so Japanese aircraft closed the formation. By the light of green, red, and yellow flares, Birmingham’s 40-mm and 20-mm gunners picked up an Aichi D3A Val very low and close on the port quarter. Taken under fire, the carrier bomber burst into flames and crashed into the water 750 yards off the port beam. Almost simultaneously, the stricken planes’ bomb skipped into the warships starboard counter, blowing a 15-foot hole in the hull and demolishing her float plane hanger." The bomb blast in the hangar tore the hangar hatch from its fastenings, threw it up and forward, and severed the cables in the crane above it so that it fell on top of the displaced hangar hatch. Photo taken 1 December 1943, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

The BuShips damage report from this battle can be found on the contributors website.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Stern view of bomb damage. Quote from DANFS: "At 1911, the three light cruisers began firing 6-inch gun salvos at a range of 18,000 yards as the dozen or so Japanese aircraft closed the formation. By the light of green, red, and yellow flares, Birmingham’s 40-mm and 20-mm gunners picked up an Aichi D3A Val very low and close on the port quarter. Taken under fire, the carrier bomber burst into flames and crashed into the water 750 yards off the port beam. Almost simultaneously, the stricken planes’ bomb skipped into the warships starboard counter, blowing a 15-foot hole in the hull and demolishing her float plane hanger." Photo taken 6 December 1943, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

The BuShips damage report from this battle can be found on the contributors website.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Starboard quarter view of bomb damage. Photo taken 6 December 1943, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

The BuShips damage report from this battle can be found on the contributors website.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Port bow view while in drydock at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard on 6 December 1943. The damage seen in this photo was sustained on 08 November 1943 while on patrol southwest of Bougainville. The 30' hole was cause by an aerial torpedo. The ship's gunners shot down the torpedo plane which torpedoed their ship. (caption updated by Darryl Baker)

The BuShips damage report from this battle can be found on the contributors website.

NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files, 1939-47

Port side torpedo damage to the USS Birmingham (CL 62). The temporary patch is visible at the top of the hole.

Navy Department Library, War Damage Report No. 48, USS Birmingham (CL62) Torpedo and Bomb Damage, Solomon Islands, 8 November, 1943.

Camouflage Measure 33, Design 6D

Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for light cruisers of the CL 55 (Cleveland) class. Ships known to have worn this scheme included USS Birmingham? (CL 62) and USS? Vicksburg? (CL 86). This plan, showing the ship's starboard side, superstructure ends and exposed decks, is dated 19 January 1944, and was approved by Captain Logan McKee, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Photo #80-G-105496

Camouflage Measure 33, Design 6D

Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended for light cruisers of the CL 55 (Cleveland) class. Ships known to have worn this scheme included USS Birmingham? (CL 62) and USS? Vicksburg? (CL 86). This plan, showing the ship's port side, is dated 19 January 1944, and was approved by Captain Logan McKee, USN

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Photo #80-G-105496

Amidships looking aft plan view of USS Birmingham (CL 62) at Mare Island on 6 Feb 1944. Birmingham was at the yard from 22 Dec 43 until 15 Feb 44 for battle damage repair.

U.S. Navy Photo #841-44

Forward plan view of USS Birmingham (CL 62) at Mare Island on 6 Feb 1944. Birmingham was at the yard from 22 Dec 43 until 15 Feb 44 for battle damage repair.

U.S. Navy Photo #844-44

Broadside view of USS Birmingham (CL 62) off Mare Island on 7 Feb 1944. Birmingham was at the yard from 22 Dec 43 until 15 Feb 44 for battle damage repair.

U.S. Navy Photo #848-44

USS Birmingham in fire support during landings on Saipan, June 1944.

Photo from Life Magazine collection, photographer Peter Stackpole. Used for educational and non-commercial purposes.

USS Birmingham is alongside USS Rudyerd Bay retiring easterly on 18 October 1944 delivering 133 men of the USS Houston crew. When damaged days before in a forward area the unneeded personnel on Houston were removed by her tin can escorts and distributed around other heavy vessels of the TG.

Rudyerd Bay photo

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 - USS Birmingham (CL 62) comes alongside the burning USS Princeton (CVL 23) to assist with fire fighting, 24 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives # 80-G-281660-2.

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 - Crewmen on USS Birmingham (CL 62) play fire hoses on the burning USS Princeton (CVL 23), as their ship comes alongside to assist in damage control measures, 24 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives # 80-G-270357.

Battle of Leyte Gulf, 24 October 1944. USS Birmingham (CL 62) alongside USS Princeton (CVL 23) after fighting fire aboard the carrier following bomb hit by the Japanese.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-270368.

USS Princeton (CVL 23) alongside USS Birmingham (CL 62) in the vicinity of the cruiser's 5" gun mount No. 3.

This picture was recorded by the Mare Island Navy Yard (photo # 7309-44) when CL-62 was repaired there.

View from the foredeck on USS Birmingham (CL 62) as she stood alongside USS Princeton (CVL 23) to help fight her fires, during the afternoon of 24 October. The carrier had been hit by a Japanese air attack while operating off the Philippines. Note fire hoses on Birmingham's deck and details of the underside of her Number Two 6"/47 gun turret.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-270453.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers, by Norman Polmar.

Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 - Heavy explosion aft on USS Princeton (CVL 23), with USS Birmingham (CL 62) alongside, 24 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #80-G-281663-3.

USS Birmingham (CL 62), at left, and a destroyer pull away from USS Princeton (CVL 23) following the big explosion that destroyed the carrier's stern at about 1523 hrs. on 24 October 1944. This blast killed over two hundred men aboard Birmingham, which was alongside Princeton fighting fires. Note the light smoke over Birmingham's midships and stern areas. Princeton's stern, and a good deal of her after superstructure, has been blown off.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives # 80-G-270553.

USS Birmingham (CL 62) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, following overhaul and repair of combat damage, 21 January 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 87950.

USS Birmingham (CL 62) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, 22 January 1945, following battle damage repair and overhaul. Photographed from one of the Navy Yard cranes, this "plan view" of the ship's forward area shows a number of recent alterations, enclosed in white lines drawn on the image. Notable features include the forward Mark 37 Gun Director with antennas for Mark 12 and Mark 22 radars (upper left center); 6"/47, 5"/38, 40mm and 20mm guns; protective canvas covers on 40mm gun barrels; and a variety of equipment on the ship's command platform. Also note the portable gangway between the ship and the pier, and very long shadows cast by people standing on the pier.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98122.

USS Birmingham (CL 62) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, 22 January 1945, following battle damage repair and overhaul. Photographed from a Navy Yard crane, this "plan view" of the ship's midships area shows a number of recent alterations, enclosed in white lines drawn on the image. Notable features include Mark 34 Gun Directors with antennas for Mark 8 radar on top; height-finding radar on the mainmast; antenna for SK search radar on the foremast; and new electronic antennas on the after end of the forward smokestack.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98123.

USS Birmingham (CL 62) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, 22 January 1945, following battle damage repair and overhaul. Photographed from a Navy Yard crane, this "plan view" of the ship's midships area shows a number of recent alterations, enclosed in white lines drawn on the image. Notable features include the forward smokestack, with a new electronics platform mounted on it; 40mm quad gun mounts; life rafts; Mark 34 Gun Director; and a variety of equipment on the ship's forward superstructure platforms.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98124.

USS Birmingham (CL 62) At the Mare Island Navy Yard, 22 January 1945, following battle damage repair and overhaul. Photographed from a Navy Yard crane, this "plan view" of the ship's after area shows a number of recent alterations, enclosed in white lines drawn on the image. Notable features include a Mark 34 Gun Director with antenna for Mark 8 radar; Mark 37 Gun Director with antennas for Mark 12 and Mark 22 radars; the after smokestack with searchlight platforms mounted on it; and the height-finding radar and other electronic equipment on the mainmast.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98125.

USS Birmingham (CL 62), maneuvering alongside the USS Block Island (CVE 106) on 30 January 1945. Taken by Lt. (jg) Hoffman from an airship of ZP-31.

USN photo

USS Birmingham suffers her 3rd battle damage - Having survived trial by fire twice earlier in the war, the light cruiser USS Birmingham faced her 3rd test on 04 May 1945 when a Japanese kamikaze bearing a 500 pound bomb crashed on her decks just aft of the number two turret during action off Okinawa. The ensuing explosion and fire wiped out sick bay and ruptured the main, second, and third decks. Bulkheads were blown in and a five foot hole was blown in the starboard side below the waterline. Four living compartments, the armory, and three ammunition magazines were flooded before the water was contained. The final tally was 52 killed and 82 wounded. (caption updated by Bill Gonyo)

U.S. Navy BUMED Library and Archives Number 274280; 09-7921-14.

Port side view of the USS Birmingham (CL 62) in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne on 8 November 1945.

State Library of Victoria, Photo #H91.108/2427

USS Birmingham (CL 62) in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne on 8 November 1945. The tug Tooronga is guiding the Birmingham to her berth.

State Library of Victoria, Photo #H91.108/2419

Bow view of the USS Birmingham (CL 62) following the tug Tooronga into her berth at Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, 8 November 1945.

State Library of Victoria, Photo #H91.108/2421

Starboard side view of the USS Birmingham (CL 62) showing the forward superstructure and forward 6-inch gun turrets.

State Library of Victoria, Photo #H91.108/2422

Starboard side view of the stern and airplane handling facilities of the USS Birmingham (CL 62), as seen at Melbourne, Australia on 8 November 1945. For weight savings and stability issues, the starboard catapult has been removed. The plane is an SC-2 Seahawk.

State Library of Victoria, Photo #H91.108/2420

Starboard side view of the USS Birmingham (CL 62) possibly at Mare Island just before decommissioning circa January, 1947.

Navy Department Library, War Damage Report No. 48, USS Birmingham (CL62) Torpedo and Bomb Damage, Solomon Islands, 8 November, 1943.

ex-Birmingham (CL 62) - view from the cruiser's forecastle, looking aft, taken the day she left the San Diego Reserve Fleet facility for the wrecking yard, circa 9 December 1959. Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection, 1979.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 89291.