Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox (second from left) receives a check from John L. Connor, Chairman of the City of Atlanta, Georgia, War Bond selling campaign, March 1943. The check, for $63,000,000, represents the amount raised in a bond selling drive to cover the cost of replacing the cruiser Atlanta (CL-51), sunk on 13 November 1942 off Guadalcanal. The money raised was more than enough to pay for a new ship, which became Atlanta (CL 104). Looking on are Rear Admiral George D. Murray (left), Chief of the Naval Air Intermediate Training Command at Pensacola, Florida, and Captain Samuel P. Jenkins (right), who commanded Atlanta when she was lost.

Image NH 70035 courtesy of history.navy.mil

Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox (seated, second from right) meets with reporters from the two Atlanta, Georgia, newspapers, the Journal and the Constitution, in March 1943, on the occasion of his visit to the city to climax a successful War Bond selling campaign to cover the cost of replacing the cruiser Atlanta (CL-51), sunk on 13 November 1942 off Guadalcanal. The money raised was more than enough to pay for a new ship, which became Atlanta (CL 104).

Image NH 70013 courtesy of history.navy.mil

Atlanta (CL 104) Resting on the shipway the day before her launching at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard, Camden, New Jersey

Atlanta (CL 104) Slides down the shipways during her launching, at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard, Camden, New Jersey, on 6 February 1944. Courtesy of James Russell, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #NH 75599.

USS Atlanta (CL 104) Underway at sea, en route to Sydney, Australia, on 13 May 1947.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98877.

USS Atlanta (CL 104) being assisted to her berth at Melbourne, Australia on 17 May 1947.

State Library Victoria, Photo #H91.108/2424

USS Atlanta (CL 104) moored at Port Melbourne, VC, Australia on 20 May 1947. As with many ships after WW2, her close in 40mm and 20mm close-in armament has been landed, both due to reduced manpower availability and the rapid obsolescence of these light weight guns. The stern of the USS Duluth (CL 87) is visible forward of the Atlanta. Both ships have been equipped with a SC1 Seahawk observation plane, introduced into the fleet at the end of WW2..

Source: Australian War Memorial, Photo No. 302544

USS Atlanta (CL 104) Leaves Seattle, Washington, for a Naval Reserve training cruise to Alaska, 27 June 1948.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98879.

USS Atlanta (CL 104) Leaves Seattle, Washington, for a Naval Reserve training cruise to Alaska, 27 June 1948. The original picture caption, released by 13th Naval District Public Information Office, Seattle 99, Washington, on 29 June 1948, reads: "Fleet, hard hitting, modern light cruiser, USS Atlanta (CL 104) got underway from Navy Pier 91 at Seattle, June 27th, for a 14 day training cruise to Juneau Alaska, and return. Carrying over 300 Naval Reservists from all sections of the 13th Naval District on a training cruise designed to give new Reservists their 'sea legs' and veteran Reservists up-to-date practical instruction in the various phases of improved techniques and naval developments." "Highlight of the training cruise will be the gunnery drills and exercises in all phases of life aboard a modern man-o-war. While in Juneau, the Reservists will be granted two days of 'liberty' and the Yankee souvenir instinct should be well sated by the variety of souvenirs available in the Alaskan northwest."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98878.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) At the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, 2 October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1112707.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) At the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship. The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "A unique silhouette prevails on the old cruiser USS Atlanta (CL 104). Now designated IX 304 (miscellaneous unclassified) she boasts two guided missile frigate deck houses, a variety of missile launchers, radar masts and antennas, all equipped with shock measurement devices."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98881.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) At the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship. The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "The various masts and antennas that will be subjected to the blast tests cover the forecastle of the Atlanta. This equipment is primarily the type used in the fleet today."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98882.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) Seen from astern, at the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship. The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "Either way you look at it you face the front of the Atlanta, or so it seems. One of the experimental ship's two DLG (guided missile frigate) deck houses faces forward while the other points aft over the fantail."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98883.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) At the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964, while completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship. The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "The two DLG (guided missile frigate) deck houses and masts on the cruiser hull are the most unique feature about Atlanta. Although both deck units are of the type in use today, and are of aluminum construction, the forward one is specifically designed for blast resistance."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98884.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) The ship's two "macks", seen from forward while she was completing conversion to a weapons effects test ship at the Hunters' Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, circa October 1964. The original picture caption, released by 12th Naval District Office of Public Information, reads: "The two masts atop the DLG (guided missile frigate) deck houses are identical in appearance, but, like the deck houses themselves, the forward one is designed specifically for blast resistance."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 98885.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) In San Francisco Bay, California, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship, 13 November 1964.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1106648.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) In San Francisco Bay, California, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship, 13 November 1964. The Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard is in the left background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1106649.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) In San Francisco Bay, California, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship, 13 November 1964.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1106652.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) Underway in San Francisco Bay, California, 13 November 1964, following her conversion to a weapons effects test ship. The Bay Bridge and Goat Island are visible in the distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1106654.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) Off the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, California, following conversion to a weapons effects test ship, circa late 1964.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center #NH 96655.

USS Atlanta (IX 304) Enters Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 10 January 1965, while en route to serve as a target in Operation "Sailor Hat" explosion effects tests.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1110495.

Operation "Sailor Hat", 1965 - The 500-ton TNT explosive charge for Shot "Bravo", first of a series of three test explosions, is ready for detonation on the southwestern tip of Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii, circa early February 1965. It is 17 feet high and 34 feet in diameter. Weapons effects test ship USS Atlanta (IX 304) is moored in the background. Note that her bow is facing right and that a large SPS-37/SPS-43A type radar antenna is mounted on a pedestal amidships.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph #KN-10831.

Operation "Sailor Hat", 1965 - Detonation of the 500-ton TNT explosive charge for Shot "Bravo", first of a series of three test explosions on the southwestern tip of Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii, 6 February 1965. Weapons effects test ship USS Atlanta (IX 304) is moored in the left center. Note the shock wave spreading over the water just beyond the ship, and the shock condensation cloud lifting overhead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph #KN-11352.

Operation "Sailor Hat", 1965 - The 500-ton TNT explosive charge for Shot "Charlie", second of a series of three test explosions, ready for detonation on the southwestern tip of Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii, April 1965. USS Atlanta (IX 304) is moored in the background, with her bow facing left. A large SPS-37/SPS-43A type radar antenna is mounted on a pedestal on her foredeck, immediately in front of an ASROC launcher. An SPS-30 type radar antenna is on the pedestal at her extreme bow. Both of these antennas were relocated after the February 1965 Shot "Bravo".

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1110434.

Operation "Sailor Hat", 1965 - 500-ton TNT explosive charge is detonated in Shot "Charlie", April 1965. This was the second of three Operation "Sailor Hat" test explosions conducted on Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii, in February-June 1965 USS Atlanta (IX 304) is moored to the left of the blast, with her bow pointing to the left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives #USN 1110440.

USS Atlanta (IX 304, ex-CL 104) sinking off San Clemente Island, California, on 1 October 1970, after being scuttled in explosive tests. Note that she had been blown in half. Also note A-4 aircraft on forecastle, large patch of oil spreading from amidships.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo #NH 81520-KN