7090 USS „BOISE” CL-47 JULY 1942

The USS Boise (CL-47) was an American light cruiser, the keel of which was laid in April 1935, was launched in December 1936, and was fully completed in August 1938. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 185.4 m, width 18.8 m, with a standard displacement of about 9,900 tons. The maximum speed was up to 32-33 knots. The armament of the unit at the time of launching mainly consisted of: 15 152 mm guns, 8 127 mm anti-aircraft guns and 8 heavy 12.7 mm machine guns. The ship could also operate with 4 seaplanes. The USS Boise (CL-47) was the sixth of nine Brooklyn-class cruisers launched for the US Navy from 1935 to 1938. The design of these ships was to some extent based on the design and lessons learned from the operation of New Orleans-class heavy cruisers. At the same time, they were the American response to Japanese Mogami-class ships, also armed with 15 main artillery guns. Moreover, during the design and construction of the Brooklyn-class cruisers, great emphasis was placed on the greatest possible range of navigation, seaworthiness and careful workmanship. Ultimately, units of this type turned out to be highly successful and were successfully used during World War II. The USS Boise (CL-47) was constructed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia. The participation of the ship in the initial period of World War II is not very active and was marked by running aground in January 1942. After this event, the vessel returned to service only in June 1942. In August this year, it carried out convoy missions in the Fiji and New Hebrides region, and in September it took part in operations in the Guadalcanal region. In October, however, it was involved in the Battle of Cape Esperance, where it was badly damaged. The ship was then commanded by Edward J. "Mike" Moran - later decorated with the US Navy Cross. As a result of the damage, the unit was sent for renovation - it did not return to the line until March 1943. From the end of June that year, it operated in the Mediterranean, supporting the Allied landing operations in Sicily and at Salerno. At the turn of 1943/1944, the ship returned to the Pacific, where she participates in many actions, including: supporting landing operations on Biak and Mindoro, as well as taking part in the Battle of Surigao Bay. The unit spent 1945 mainly on inspections, overhauls and repairs. During World War II, 11 Battle Stars were awarded. In 1951, the ship was transferred to the Argentine Navy, where she served until 1981.