NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive
USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA 148)
Image courtesy of Al Grazevich
Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Quebec - Quebec
Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - THUNDER
 Patch image contributed by George Klos |
CLASS - DES MOINES Displacement 17,000 Tons, Dimensions, 716' 6" (oa) x 76' 4" x 26' (Max) Armament 9 x 8"/55, 12 x 5"/38AA, 24 x 3"/50, 24 x 20mm, 4 Aircraft Armor, 6" Belt, 8" Turrets, 3 1/2" Deck, 6 1/2" Conning Tower. Machinery, 120,000 SHP; G. E. Geared Turbines, 4 screws Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 1799. Operational and Building Data Keel laid on 1 NOV 1945 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA Launched 06 MAR 1948 Commissioned 29 JAN 1949 Explosion and fire in Turret 2 killing 20 men 01 OCT 1972 Decommissioned 27 JUN 1975 Stricken 31 JUL 1978 Fate: Sold for scrap to Southern Scrap Material Co., Ltd, New Orleans 25 FEB 1993 |
 Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski |
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon - Navy Unit Commendation (2) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Second Row- Navy Expeditionary Medal - World War II Occupation Medal w/Europe Clasp - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2) - Vietnam Service Medal (6) - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Fourth Row - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm - Republic of Vietnam Civil Action 1st Class w/Palm - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
| Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
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227k | The last Heavy Cruiser built for the U.S. Navy, CA 148, was named for the city in which she was built, Newport News, Virginia. Her keel was laid at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. on 1 November 1945. This picture was taken 4 days later. | George Klos |
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124k | Progress view of the 716½ foot long cruiser in her building dock on 3 March 1948, three days before launching. | George Klos |
 04148111 |
97k | Christening ceremony. | Dale Hargrave |
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183k | The Newport News on launching day, 6 March 1948. | George Klos |
 04148118 |
105k | Fitting out at Newport News, 1 September 1948. | Dale Hargrave |
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142k | Turret three on the fantail was the focus of activity when the ship was commissioned 29 January 1949. This shot was taken during the playing of the National Anthem. | George Klos |
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355k | The completed ship rides high on Commissioning Day because she is not yet fully loaded. In addition to three triple 8-inch turrets, the new cruiser had 12 5-inch guns, 24 three-inch guns, and 12 20-mm guns. The 20-mm guns were removed almost immediately after commissioning. The ship's full-load displacement was 21,500 tons. | George Klos |
 0414866 |
60k |
Port side view while underway, date and location unknown. U.S. Navy photo. |
David Buell |
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342k | Starboard side view, date unknown. | Robert M. Cieri |
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98k | Starboard bow view, underway, date unknown. Note the 3"/50 gunmount still on the bow. | George Klos |
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190k | Port bow view, underway, date unknown. Note MT31 (3"/50) in the bows. This was removed in 1955. | George Klos |
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435k | Undated port bow photo. | George Klos |
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238k |
Undated starboard bow view. Photo © Atlantic Fleet Sales |
Robert M. Cieri |
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99k
49k |
Photo (dated 18 August but unknown year) of action in 8" turret two. This would be prior to the explosion that occurred on 1 October 1972. | Ron Reeves | |
 04148119 |
123k | Underway on 16 March 1949. | Dale Hargrave |
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174k | Crew inspection while the ship is at anchor in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 1949, during her shakedown cruise. | George Klos |
 0414862 |
334k | Crew inspection while the ship is at anchor in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 1949, during her shakedown cruise. | Robert M. Cieri |
 0414897 |
700k | Burial at sea, April 1949 | David Upton |
 0414894 |
1m | Starboard quarter view while at anchor somewhere in the Caribbean, May 1949. | David Upton |
 0414889 |
2.6m | Starboard bow view while at anchor somewhere in the Caribbean, June 1949. Note the Movie screen erected on the fantail. | David Upton |
 0414899 |
720k | Admiral Blandy disembarking from Sikorski HO3S-1 helicopter 6 August 1949 | David Upton |
 04148100 |
681k | 7 August 1949, L to R- CAPT Custer, CAPT Gregg, RADM Clark, ADM Blandy, and CAPT Smoot., USS Newport News | David Upton |
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133k | Ice-encrusted 3-inch mount 31 when she crossed the Arctic Circle in November 1949 as Flagship of the Second Task Fleet. | George Klos |
 0414898 |
707k | CAPT Smoot (center), 30 December 1949. USS Winston (AKA 94), is in the background. | David Upton |
 0414895 |
700k | Vice Admiral John Ballentine, Commander Sixth Fleet, transfered his flag from USS Des Moines during this ceremony on 6 January 1950. A Midway-Class carrier is in the background. The photographer that took the next picture is visible on top of turret #3. | David Upton |
 0414896 |
773k | Vice Admiral John Ballentine, Commander Sixth Fleet, transfered his flag from USS Des Moines during this ceremony on 6 January 1950. A Midway-Class carrier is in the background. | David Upton |
 0414891 |
160k | Christmas card 1949-1950. | David Upton |
 04148113 |
The masts of the USS Newport News, looking forward. The mainmast (left) carries an SP Radar (note the Vice Admiral's pennant above), the formast carries an SG Navigation radar (top of mast) and an SPS-6 Air Search radar below. Forward of the foremast is a MK 54 Gun Director with MK 13 radar and forward of that, a MK 37 Gun Director with SPG-25 radar. | National Archives | |
 0414890 |
817k | The Queen of Greece, Frederica, on a Sikorski HO3S-1 helicopter. | David Upton |
 0414892 |
1m | King Paul of Greece and wife Queen Frederica | David Upton |
 0414893 |
994k | King and Queen of Greece inspecting the crew of USS Newport News | David Upton |
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220k | Refueling in the Mediterranean in 1950: Top to bottom - USS Power (DD 839), USS Newport News (CA 148), USS Salamonie (AO 26), and USS Hanson (DD 832). The cruiser is carrying an H03S-1 helo on her fantail. When completed, the Newport News had seaplane catapults on her stern, but they were removed shortly after she was commissioned. U.S. Navy photo from U.S. Navy All Hands magazine July 1953, p. 8. |
George Klos / Robert Hurst |
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125k | LT James E. Norton, CHC, is lifted by sling to H03S-1 Helicopter. This permitted sharing him with smaller ships on the Midshipman Cruise. | George Klos |
 04148122 |
78k | USS Newport News (CA 148) and USS Midway (CVB 41) during transfer at sea operations, 20 April 1950. Note 3"/50 and 8"/55 guns and wood deck planking on Newport News; 40mm and 5"/54 guns on Midway; radars on both ships. Interesting that the crew on the Newport News are in blues and not dungarees. National Archives Photo #80-G-414452 |
Yu Chu |
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278k | Three classes of cruisers are shown moored to pier at Naples, Italy in February 1951. Left to right are the USS Newport News (CA 148), USS Roanoke (CL 145), and USS Columbus (CA 74). | USN |
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105k | Port bow view in Venice, Italy, 12 April 1950. | Robert M. Cieri |
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125k | Fifth Division cleans the stack in 1952. This ship was capable of 120,000 SHP and 33 knots. | George Klos |
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134k | Holystoning with boiler fire bricks and caustic solution was standard method for cleaning the cruisers' wooden decks. | George Klos |
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92k | Starboard bow view, underway, 1955. Mount 31 and the old life rafts have been removed. The black quarterdeck canvas didn't last much longer and the main mast has some growing to do. | George Klos |
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118k | Among the Sixth Fleet ships visiting Barcelona, Spain in April 1956 were, from left to right: USS Cassin Young (DD 793), USS Albany (CA 123), USS Newport News (CA 148), USS Mercury (AKS 20), and USS Mauna Loa (AE 8). The Newport News had just taken over as Flagship for Vice Admiral Harry D. Felt as Commander Sixth Fleet when this photo was taken. The Albany, alongside, belonged to the same generation, although not the same class of U.S. cruisers. The Albany was later converted to a guided-missile cruiser and became Second Fleet flagship when the Newport News concluded her lasts deployment in late 1974. | George Klos |
 04148117 |
151k | Moored in Copenhagen, Denmark while on a Midshipman's Cruise, sometime between 9 June to 8 August 1958. During this cruise the ship visited the ports of Lisbon, Portugal, Copenhagen, Denmark and Hamburg, Germany. For this Midshipman cruise the ship was employed with Second Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral B.L. Austin. | SCPO Erling Baldorf, Royal Danish Navy, retired |
 0414869 |
73k | Starboard bow view while "Med Moored" in Genoa, Italy on 26 October 1958. | Martinelli Carlo |
 0414870 |
197k | Port side forward view while "Med Moored" in Genoa, Italy on 26 October 1958. | Martinelli Carlo |
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47k | Nice, early 1960's photo. | SFP2 Robert S. Henderson |
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70k | Port bow view, 1960's. | Robert M. Cieri |
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246k | Port bow view while underway in the Med. Early 1960. | George Klos |
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104k | Photo of the USS Newport News (CA 148) that is out of a visitor pamphlet from 1960. The admiral's barge and captain's gig are on the fantail and there are five vehicles further forward, all covered in canvas. Since there is no red "E" on the stack yet, the ship had to be on the way or just arriving in the Med where the "E" was added. The vehicles were offloaded and traveled mostly by land since they were in the way of a warship's purpose: shooting at things. | George Klos |
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25k | Venice Italy 1960. | George Klos |
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37k | Seen here in early 1961. Note that there are four 3"/50 gun tubs on each side. The 2 midships tubs were removed to provide space for the flag offices. | USN |
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228k | Taken in the Med in 1961 after a severe storm which damaged a forward 3" mount (barrels raised by heavy seas) and damage to bow. | George Klos |
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104k | Taken in 1961 while anchored in Athens Greece with the submarine USS Shark (SSN 591) tied up alongside. | George Klos |
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171k | USS Newport News taken in 1961 during a Med Cruise. There are five vehicles and the Admiral's Barge on the fantail and two crew members sun bathing on main deck in front of 5 inch mount 53. | George Klos |
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254k | USS Newport News (CA 148) refuels from oiler Canisteo (AO 99) during NATO exercise Riptide II in July 1961. | George Klos |
 0414867 |
68k | Starboard bow view, sometime after her 1961-62 modernization. Note the NTDS antenna forward and all the missing 3"/50 gun mounts. | David Buell |
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86k | Date and location unknown; sometime after after the 1961-1962 modernization. | USN |
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154k | The modernized Newport News underway in NATO Exercise Riptide III in August 1962. During her overhaul in the winter of 1961-62, the cruiser was given more extensive communications and flagship capabilities. Added were antennas and boxy structures abaft the bridge, which provided additional office space for the Flag staff. | George Klos |
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398k | As Second Fleet flagship, Newport News is shown transiting the Kiel Canal through a pastoral portion of West Germany in September 1962. The following month she was in the Caribbean as flagship of the U.S. quarantine force off Cuba. | George Klos |
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92k | Starboard bow view, underway, 1962. Note the expansion of the Superstructure midships to accommodate the Flag Staff and it's communications equipment. | George Klos |
 0414865 |
232k |
Following a 3 1/2 month yard period, during which the communication facilities were extensively revamped and office and berthing spaces were constructed to accommodate Commander Second Fleet and his staff, NEWPORT NEWS assumed her new duties as flagship for Vice Admiral John McNay Taylor. Shown in August 1962 in the Western Atlantic, she participated in NATO Exercise RIPTIDE III, as flagship of ComStrikFltLant, the NATO role of Commander Second Fleet. For years afterward this photo was considered her "Official Portrait". U.S. Navy photo. |
Robert M. Cieri |
 0414864 |
204k |
Port side view as seen from Fort San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico in January 1963 while participating in "Operation Springboard". U.S. Navy photo. (Caption updated by LCDR Orlando Gallardo) |
Robert M. Cieri |
 0414868 |
307k |
Port quarter view while outbound to the Atlantic Ocean just off Cape
Henry on the Chesapeake Bay, 14 May 1963. Photo © Atlantic Fleet Sales |
Bill Gonyo |
 04148112 |
213k | Laid up at Norfolk Naval Shipyard undergoing an overhaul. This photo was taken sometime between 28 June and December of 1965. | Chadd Smith |
 0414863 |
193 |
This photo shows the world's fastest firing major caliber rapid fire 8-inch, 55-caliber guns of the Newport News as she bombards the target range on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, during FIREX 67; 5 February 1967. U.S. Navy photo. |
Robert M. Cieri |
 04148125 |
356k | USS Newport News (CA 148) at Norfolk Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, 19 May 1967. The heavy cruiser USS Newport News (CA 148), flagship for Commander Second Fleet, tied up to a pier at Norfolk. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives - Photo #428-GX-K-38936. |
Yu Chu |
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213k | Shore bombardment of North Vietnam in 1967. | George Klos |
 04148116 |
176k | Colorized version of previous photo | Yu Cho |
 04148121 |
360k | USS Newport News (CA 148) with HMAS Perth (DDG 38) off Vietnam, October 1967 during highline transfer. USS Newport News was with HMAS Perth during Operation 'Sea Dragon' in October 1967. Photo: Bob Westthorp, RAN 1964-1988. |
Bob Canchola |
 0414883 |
646k | 11 October 1967, Gulf of Tonkin. | Ed Zajkowski |
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125k | The main deck strewn with empty 8-inch powder casings in December 1967. These cartridges required no further human handling once they were put into the ammunition hoists from the magazines. Spent casings were ejected from the open port below each gun. | George Klos |
 04148115 |
102k | Colorized version of previous photo | Yu Chu |
 04148124 |
289k | USS Newport News (CA 148) in Amsterdam, on 17 September 1971, during a European cruise that took her to the Netherlands, Britain, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Norway. The big cruiser’s third and final combat deployment to Vietnam was just over the horizon - she would return to Southeast Asia for her combat finale the following April, and would remain in-theatre through December 1972. Newport News served extensively in Vietnam providing gunfire support from 1967 through 1972; she was the only one of her class still in service, and was also the final all-gun heavy cruiser to be active in the USN. In fact, she gained that superlative just four months prior to this photo, when USS Saint Paul (CA 73) was decommissioned at the end of April. The only other American heavy cruisers left in service had been converted to guided missile cruisers. Photo is from the National Archives of the Netherlands. |
Yu Chu |
 04148129 |
120k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) is in the background. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148130 |
154k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) is in the background. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148131 |
114k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148132 |
99k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148133 |
106k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148134 |
101k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148135 |
111k | Anchored in Subic Bay, Philippines, during her 1972 WestPac cruise. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 5-7 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
 04148136 |
111k | Moored at Alava wharf in Subic Bay, Philippines, for re-lining of her 8" guns (note the barrels have been removed from Turret 1 in this photo) during her 1972 WestPac cruise. USS Manatee (AO 58) is being assisted by tugs on the right side of the photo. Photo taken from USS Mispillion (AO 105), sometime between 7-9 August 1972. From the collection of Bruce A. Hevner. | Bob Canchola |
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117k | A director-controlled 5-inch mount firing. At right is a 3-inch twin mount, the last of which was removed in January 1974. | George Klos |
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152k | A Gunners Mate makes an adjustment inside one of the 5-inch twin mounts. He is standing between the recoil mechanisms of the two guns. | George Klos |
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122k | The volume of fire off Vietnam by the 5-inch guns is indicated by these mountains of empty powder tanks awaiting return to the replenishment ship. | George Klos |
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169k | The daily logistics helo approaches the Newport News' fantail in April 1968. | George Klos |
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57k | A picture of the Starboard bow while coming alongside the USS Passumpsic (AO 107) off the coast of Vietnam. | Ralph W. Turner |
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69k | Newport Rhode Island, 18 October 1970. | © Richard Leonhardt |
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62k | Eight "/55 caliber guns in action, Picture is prior to 1972. | USN |
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556k | Welcome aboard booklet, circa 1972. | Robert M. Cieri |
 0414882 |
128k | USS Newport News (CA 148) opens fire with her 8"/55 main guns during the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) 1972 Easter Offensive, Department of Defense Photo (USN) #1151898. |
Robert Hurst |
 04148104 |
156k | Taken by GMG2 Bill Liesch aboard the USS Waddell, I believe during her 1971/1972 WestPac Cruise when she was off Vietnam. | Bob Canchola |
 04148105 |
125k | Taken by GMG2 Bill Liesch aboard the USS Waddell, I believe during her 1971/1972 WestPac Cruise when she was off Vietnam. | Bob Canchola |
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509k | Off the coast of Vietnam, June 1972. Taken from the USS Myles C. Fox (DD 829). | Paul Wieloszynski |
 04148126 |
281k | Off the coast of South Vietnam, June 1972. Taken from the USS Myles C. Fox (DD 829). Both ships were providing Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS). | Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) |
 04148127 |
302k | Off the coast of South Vietnam, June 1972. Taken from the USS Myles C. Fox (DD 829). Both ships were providing Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS). | Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) |
 04148128 |
308k | Off the coast of South Vietnam, June 1972. Taken from the USS Myles C. Fox (DD 829). Both ships were providing Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS). | Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) |
 0414879 |
73k | One of USS Niagara Falls (AFS 3) helos vertreping USS Newport News (CA 148) in Aug/Sept 1972. Photo by CDR Al Cusick USN Ret. (Niagara Falls Gunnery as well as Flight Deck Officer). | CDR Al Cusick USN (Ret.) |
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180k | At 0110 on the morning of 1 October 1972, while on a fire mission off Vietnam, a faulty 8-inch projectile detonated prematurely in the center barrel of turret two. The shells in the powder train leading up from the magazine burned rapidly and 20 men were killed. This view inside the turret shows the effects of the intense heat. The powder tray extends up the center of the photo and into the breach block. | George Klos |
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211k | An exterior view of the gun in which the explosion occurred. The barrel has been blown completely clear of the turret and is connected only by the gun liner. | George Klos |
 04148101 |
114k | Photo caption: "(MLA-2) SUBIC NAVY BASE, PHILIPPINES, Oct. 3--INSPECT WARSHIP'S DAMAGED GUN TURRET--Two members of the U.S. Navy investigating team inspect damaged gun turret Tuesday aboard the cruiser USS Newport News after the vessel's arrival at Subic Navy Base Tuesday. An explosion ripped through the gun mount Sunday, killing 19 seamen and injuring 37. (AP Wirephoto via radio from Manila) (see AP AAA wire story)(pr30919stf/j.tan)1972 EDS: Identification of the men is unavailable." | Ron Reeves |
 04148114 |
288k | Moored in Portsmouth, England, 26-29 September 1973, first stop on a 5-port NATO cruise. | Dave Wright |
 0414880 |
71k | Bow view while moored at Norfolk Naval Base on 15 June 1974. | Dale Hargrave |
 0414881 |
82k | Port quarter view while moored at Norfolk Naval Base on 15 June 1974. | Dale Hargrave |
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179k | Newport News prepares to refuel from the USS Savannah (AOR 4) in September 1974. The center of the cruiser's turret two has been plated over because the damaged gun was not replaced after the 1972 explosion. | George Klos |
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143k | Seen here sometime after 1972, when her #2 turret, center gun exploded. The turret was not restored to service and the remaining 2 guns were fixed in place. Note helo on stern. | USN |
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127k | Seen here sometime after 1972, when her #2 turret, center gun exploded. The turret was not restored to service and the remaining 2 guns were fixed in place. | USN |
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273k | The Newport News visiting Oslo, Norway, 27-30 September 1974. | George Klos |
 0414856 |
90k | The quarterdeck while moored at Oostelijke Pier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27-29 October 1974. | Robert Ruiter |
 0414857 |
76k | The quarterdeck while moored at Oostelijke Pier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27-29 October 1974. | Robert Ruiter |
 0414858 |
51k | Stern view (including the garbage chute) while moored at Oostelijke Pier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27-29 October 1974. | Robert Ruiter |
 0414859 |
76k | Moored at Oostelijke Pier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27-29 October 1974. | Robert Ruiter |
 0414861 |
53k | Fantail with SH-2 helicopter, moored at Oostelijke Pier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27-29 October 1974. | Robert Ruiter |
 0414860 |
73k | Stern crane (note the antenna assemble on top), moored at Oostelijke Pier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 27-29 October 1974. | Robert Ruiter |
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71k | The Newport News lies moored in a little-used annex of Norfolk Naval Shipyard while undergoing inactivation in May 1975. Her masts are covered with scaffolding and her hull is splotched with Red Lead as the few remaining crew members prepare her for a trip to the mothball fleet. | George Klos |
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299k | Decommissioning Booklet. 27 June 1975 | Robert M. Cieri |
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296k | USS Newport News Commanding Officers (From Decommissioning Booklet). | Robert M. Cieri |
 04148110 |
The decommissioned Newport News (CA 148) at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 29 October 1976. Note the missing middle gun on Turret #2 which exploded prematurely in 1972.. | Dale Hargrave | |
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79k | Philadelphia Naval Base, Pennsylvania - Three stricken cruisers await disposal in the Reserve Basin, October 1978. The ships, whose hull numbers have been painted out, are (from left to right): ex-Newport News (CA 148); ex-Springfield (CLG 7); and ex-Northampton (CC 1). Official U.S. Navy Photograph #K-121961. |
USNHC |
 0414871 |
83k | Photo taken in one of the diesel generator rooms on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414872 |
95k | Data plate of the diesel generator in the above photo taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414873 |
61k | View aft from the bow. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. Note the removed gun on turret 2. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414874 |
76k | View of one of the starboard side 3"/50 Gun Director's. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414875 |
71k | Starboard side view of the stack and 5"/38 Gun Director. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414876 |
60k | Starboard side view of the 5"/38 Gun Director and bridge wing. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414877 |
77k | Interior view the hanger showing ventilator covers and NTDS antenna (among other items) in storage. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414878 |
66k | Interior view the hanger showing the stern crane (among other items) in storage. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414884 |
113k | Looking forward from the fantail. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414885 |
130k | Starboard side aft view showing superstructure, 5"/38 and 8"/55 turrets. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414886 |
102k | Port side aft 5"/38 turret. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414887 |
124k | Starboard side forward view showing superstructure, 5"/38 and 8"/55 turrets. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414888 |
168k | Open hatches at rear of 8" Turret #3. Taken on 30 September 1987 at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA. | Ed Zajkowski |
 0414815 |
116k | 1 April 1993 - New Orleans, LA: The decommissioned cruiser
Newport News (CA 148) stands moored to a pier at the Southern Scrapping
Company. Newport News was the only one of the three of the class to have her stern gun tubs removed. Both Salem and Des Moines HAD their stern Gun tubs in place at the time of dedication as a Museum, and scrapping, respectively. |
Photo i.d. & text courtesy of Dan DeCosta Captain USN (Ret) Photo via Fred Weiss |
 04148123 |
177k | 1 April 1993 - New Orleans, LA: The decommissioned cruiser Newport News (CA 148) stands moored to a pier at the Southern Scrapping Company. | Yu Chu |
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Commanding
Officers
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| Name/Rank | Class | Final Rank | Dates |
| Smoot, Roland Nesbit, CAPT | 1923 | VADM | 01/29/1949 - 11/1949 |
| Laidlaw, James Scott, CAPT | 1924 | 11/1949 - 09/11/1950 | |
| Parker, Edward Nelson (Butch), CAPT | 1925 | VADM | 09/11/1950 - 07/28/1951 |
| Cooper, William Goodwin, CAPT | 1926 | 07/28/1951 - 06/27/1952 | |
| Price, Walter Harold, CAPT | 1927 | RADM | 06/27/1952 - 08/27/1953 |
| Van Swearingen, Earl Kendall, CAPT | 1927 | 08/27/1953 - 06/04/1954 | |
| Davis, Royce Purinton, CAPT | 1929 | 06/04/1954 - 10/10/1955 | |
| Whelchel, David Lee, CAPT | 1930 | RADM | 10/10/1955 - 01/14/1957 |
| Post Jr., William Schuyler, CAPT | 1930 | RADM | 01/14/1957 - 01/10/1958 |
| Hill Jr., Andrew Jewell, CAPT | 1931 | RADM | 01/10/1958 - 02/12/1959 |
| Ferguson, James DuGué, CAPT | 1933 | 02/12/1959 - 07/18/1959 | |
| Smith, John Victor, CAPT | 1934 | VADM | 07/18/1959 - 07/15/1960 |
| Bennett, Fred Groch, CAPT | 1936 | VADM | 07/15/1960 - 07/17/1961 |
| Kimmel, Thomas Kinkaid, CAPT | 1936 | 07/17/1961 - 07/13/1962 | |
| Bowers, Richard Harwood, CAPT | 1938 | 07/13/1962 - 09/28/1963 | |
| DuBois, Raymond Francis, CAPT | 1938 | RADM | 09/28/1963 - 08/01/1964 |
| Quinn, Robert Daniel, CAPT | 1940 | 08/01/1964 - 08/06/1965 | |
| Balis, Theodore Lawrence, CAPT | 1942 | 08/06/1965 - 09/26/1966 | |
| McCarty, Lindsay Crabbe, CAPT | 1942 | 09/26/1966 - 02/07/1968 | |
| Snyder, Edwin Knowlson (Ted), CAPT | 1944 | VADM | 02/07/1968 - 08/15/1969 |
| Bonds, Joseph Elee, CAPT | 1945 | 08/15/1969 - 03/19/1971 | |
| Zartman, Walter Franklin, CAPT | 03/19/1971 - 05/21/1973 | ||
| Kelly, Ronald Thomas, CAPT | 1950 | 05/21/1973 - 12/13/1974 | |
| Briner, Robert Rathbone, CAPT | 1954 | 12/13/1974 - 06/27/1975 | |
(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)
USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA 148) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Contact Name: James A. Peden
Address:
Phone:
E-mail: peden@uss-newport-news.com
Date:
Location:
Note About Contacts.
