7034 US NAVY LIGHT CRUISER HELENA CL-50 1942

The USS Helena (CL-50) was an American light cruiser, the keel of which was laid in December 1936, launched in August 1938, and was completely completed in September 1939. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 185.5 m, width 18.7 m, with a standard displacement of about 10,100 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 Helena (CL-50) was the last of nine Brooklyn-class cruisers to be launched for the US Navy between 1935 and 1938. The design of these ships was to some extent based on the design and lessons learned from the operation of heavy cruisers of the New Orleans class. 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. USS Helena (CL-50) was constructed at the New York Naval Shipyard. At the time of the Japanese attack on the Pearl Harbor base (December 7, 1941), it was in it and was damaged by an air torpedo. As a result of the damage it suffered, it was renovated and modernized. In 1942, it took an active part in the sea-air struggle in the Guadalcanal region, participating in the Battle of Cape Esperance (October 1942) and the First Sea Battle of Guadalcanal (November 1942). It also supported other Marines operations in the Solomon Islands at the turn of 1942/1943. The unit was sunk during the Battle of Kula Bay on July 6, 1943 as a result of a Japanese torpedo attack.