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Photo # NH 97932:  USS Augusta off Portland, Maine, 9 May 1945

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Augusta (CA-31, originally CL-31), 1931-1959

USS Augusta, a 9050-ton Northampton class light cruiser, was built at Newport News, Virginia. Commissioned in January 1931, she spent her first two years in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas, serving as flagship of the Scouting Force during much of this time. She was reclassified as a heavy cruiser in July 1931, receiving the new designator CA-31 at that time. In February 1932, Augusta went to the Pacific and in October 1933 was sent to the Far East to become the Asiatic Fleet's flagship. Over the next seven years she cruised extensively, visiting ports in Japan, the Soviet Union, China, the Philippines, Indo-China, Thailand, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, and Australia. After war began between Japan and China in July 1937, Augusta was very active in Chinese waters, protecting American interests and observing the hostilities. In mid-August 1937, while off Shanghai, she was accidently bombed by Chinese aircraft, but suffered no damage or casualties. However, a few days later, another accident, this time involving a Chinese anti-aircraft shell, killed a member of her crew.

Relieved as Asiatic Fleet flagship in November 1940, Augusta returned home for overhaul and modernization. She transited the Panama Canal in April 1941 and became flagship of the Atlantic Fleet early in May. In August, Augusta carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Newfoundland to take part in the conference that produced the Atlantic Charter. For the remainder of 1941 and into 1942, as relations with Germany moved from "short of war" tensions to declared conflict, Augusta continued as fleet flagship, operating in the western Atlantic from Canadian waters to the West Indies.

When U.S. forces invaded Morocco in November 1942, Augusta served as operation flagship and used her eight-inch guns to engage French shore batteries and warships. She escorted a convoy to Scotland in mid-1943 and operated with the British Home Fleet for much of the rest of that year. The cruiser was an active participant in the invasions of Normandy and Southern France in June and August 1944, shelling enemy targets ashore and protecting the amphibious forces from counter-attacks. In July 1945, after the end of the European war, Augusta carried President Harry S. Truman across the Atlantic for the Potsdam Conference and brought him back to the U.S. once the meetings were concluded.

Augusta spent November and December 1945 transporting service personnel back to the United States from Europe. Decommissioned in July 1946, she was at the Philadelphia Navy Yard as part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet for the next thirteen years. USS Augusta was sold for scrapping in November 1959.

This page features, and provides links to, selected views concerning USS Augusta (CA-31).

For views related to Augusta's role in the Potsdam Conference, see:

  • USS Augusta Transports President Truman to and from the Potsdam Conference, July - August 1945.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-466398

    USS Augusta (CA-31)


    Off Honolulu, Oahu, on 31 July 1933. Diamond Head is in the distance.

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

    Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-CF-21338-6

    USS Augusta (CA-31)


    In the Dewey Drydock, at Olongapo Naval Station, Philippine Islands, 29 January 1936.

    Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 575 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 105791

    USS Augusta
    (CA-31)

    In a Far Eastern harbor, circa 1936.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 57KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 78379

    USS Augusta (CA-31)


    Anchored off Pootung Point, Shanghai, China, during Sino-Japanese hostilities, circa August 1937.
    Fires from combat action are burning ashore, beyond the ship.

    Courtesy of Captain P. Henry, Jr., USN (Retired), 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57463

    USS Augusta (CA-31)


    At anchor in Bermuda waters, September 1941, while serving as flagship of the Atlantic Fleet.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-20288

    USS Augusta (CA-31)


    Underway in the Atlantic, 18 April 1942.
    Note her interesting camouflage scheme.

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

    Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 97932

    USS Augusta (CA-31)


    Steaming off Portland, Maine, on 9 May 1945.
    Photographed from a Utility Squadron 15 (VJ-15) aircraft.

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

    Online Image: 146KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105561

    USS Augusta
    (CA-31)

    Anchored in the Hudson River, off New York City, at the time of the Navy Day Fleet Review, circa late October 1945.

    Collection of Warren Beltramini, donated by Beryl Beltramini, 2007.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 91KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 105792

    USS Augusta
    (CA-31)

    View looking toward the ship's bow from her foremast, with a rangefinder and her two forward triple eight-inch gun turrets in the lower half of the image, circa 1936.
    Augusta is dressed with flags for a holiday or other celebration.

    Donation of Charles R. Haberlein Jr., 2008.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image size: 61KB; 420 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 81734

    Asiatic Fleet Change of Command, 25 July 1939


    Admiral Thomas C. Hart, incoming Commander in Chief Asiatic Fleet (left center), his predecessor, Admiral Harry E. Yarnell (right center), and members of their staffs salute as Yarnell's flag is taken down and Hart's is raised, during ceremonies on board USS Augusta (CA-31) off Shanghai, China.
    Black armbands are worn in mourning for the late Secretary of the Navy, Claude A. Swanson, who had died on 3 March 1939.

    Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Yarnell, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 67201

    Atlantic Charter Conference, August 1941


    British Prime Minister Winston Churchill meets with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on board USS Augusta (CA-31), off Argentia, Newfoundland, 9 August 1941.
    Assisting the President is his son, Army Captain Elliot Roosevelt. Ensign Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., USNR, is at left, with Assistant Secretary of State Sumner Welles standing behind him.

    Donation of Vice Admiral Harry Sanders, USN (Retired), 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50323

    Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox


    Inspects the crew of USS Augusta (CA-31), off Bermuda in September 1941. The ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Carlton H. Wright, is at left.
    Augusta's after eight-inch gun turret is in the background.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-30116

    Major General George S. Patton, Jr., U.S. Army
    , Commanding General, Western Task Force, U.S. Army (left); and
    Rear Admiral H. Kent Hewitt, USN, Commander Western Naval Task Force, (center)

    Share a light moment on board USS Augusta (CA-31), off Morocco during the Operation "Torch" landings.
    Though the original photo is dated 4 December 1942, it was probably taken shortly before MGen. Patton went ashore on 8 or 9 November 1942.

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

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 535 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-252940

    Normandy Invasion, June 1944


    Senior U.S. officers watching operations from the bridge of USS Augusta (CA-31), off Normandy, 8 June 1944.
    They are (from left to right):
    Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk, USN, Commander Western Naval Task Force;
    Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley, U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. First Army;
    Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble, USN, (with binoculars) Chief of Staff for RAdm. Kirk; and
    Major General Hugh Keen, U.S. Army.

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

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 530 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     

    For views related to Augusta's role in the Potsdam Conference, see:

  • USS Augusta Transports President Truman to and from the Potsdam Conference, July - August 1945.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 10 April 2002
    New images added 8 May 2008