USS Providence (CL-82)

Last updated
USS Providence (CLG-6) underway in 1970.jpg
USS Providence (CLG-6) underway in 1970
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameProvidence
NamesakeCity of Providence, Rhode Island
Builder Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts
Laid down27 July 1943
Launched28 December 1944
Sponsored byMrs. Mary Roberts
Commissioned15 May 1945
Decommissioned14 June 1949
Reclassified
  • CLG-6 on 23 May 1957
  • CG-6 on 1 July 1975
Refit19571959
Recommissioned17 September 1959
Decommissioned31 August 1973
Stricken30 September 1978
Identification
FateSold for scrapping, 15 July 1980
Badge USS Providence (CLG-6) insignia 1960 (NH 102467-KN).png
General characteristics (as built)
Class and type Cleveland-class Light cruiser
Displacement
  • 11,744 long tons (11,932 t) (standard)
  • 14,131 long tons (14,358 t) (max)
Length
  • 610 ft 1 in (185.95 m) oa
  • 608 ft (185 m)pp
Beam66 ft 4 in (20.22 m)
Draft
  • 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m) (mean)
  • 25 ft (7.6 m) (max)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed32.5 kn (37.4 mph; 60.2 km/h)
Range11,000 nmi (20,000 km) @ 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Complement1,255 officers and enlisted
Armament
Armor
  • Belt: 3+12–5 in (89–127 mm)
  • Deck: 2 in (51 mm)
  • Barbettes: 6 in (150 mm)
  • Turrets: 1+12–6 in (38–152 mm)
  • Conning Tower: 2+14–5 in (57–127 mm)
Aircraft carried4 × floatplanes
Aviation facilities2 × stern catapults
General characteristics (1959 rebuild)
Class and type Providence-class guided missile cruiser
Displacement15,025 long tons (15,266 t)
Armament
  • 1 × triple 6 in (150 mm)/47 caliber Mark 16 guns
  • 1 × dual 5 in (130 mm)/38 caliber anti-aircraft guns
  • 1 × twin-rail Mark 9 RIM-2 Terrier missile launcher

USS Providence (CL-82/CLG-6/CG-6) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser and the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named after the city of Providence, Rhode Island. Providence was commissioned between 1945 and 1949. From 1957 to 1959, she was converted to a guided missile cruiser and flagship. She served in that role from 1959 to 1973. After her decommissioning, she was finally scrapped in 1980.

Contents

Construction and commissioning

She was laid down 27 July 1943 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.; launched 28 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Roberts; and commissioned 15 May 1945. Departing Boston 13 June 1945, Providence completed shakedown out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon arrival at Newport, R.I., 4 September, she trained prospective cruiser and carrier crews until 6 October. [1]

Service

1940s

Providence (CL-82) as a gun cruiser in the late 1940s. USS Providence (CL-82) underway in the Mediterranean Sea, circa in 1948 (80-G-343435).jpg
Providence (CL-82) as a gun cruiser in the late 1940s.

Departing Boston in November 1945, she visited Piraeus, Greece, on 6 December, making the first cruise intended to expand American prestige through naval visits lasting until 1947. [2] Then, Istanbul with USS Missouri from 5 to 9 April 1946, and Alexandria, Egypt, in May, where she ran aground. Leaving the Mediterranean 16 June, she arrived at Philadelphia on the 25th. Following departure from the Delaware Capes in October and training out of Guantanamo Bay and Norfolk, Va., she left Hampton Roads for the Mediterranean 3 February 1947. After exercises and port visits in the Mediterranean, she departed Athens, Greece, in May, and arrived at Boston later that month. [1]

Departing Newport, R.I., in November, she operated in the Mediterranean from 20 November 1947 to 2 March 1948, visiting Naples in December, Taranto in January, and Trieste and Venice in February, returning to Newport in March. Sailing from Newport in September 1948, she served the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean from 23 September 1948 to 14 January 1949, visiting Thessalonika in October, Marseilles in November, Trieste and Venice in December, and Oran in January, returning to Newport later in January. She decommissioned at Boston 14 June 1949, and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. [1]

1950s

Reclassified CLG–6 on 23 May 1957, she commenced conversion to [1] a Providence-class[ citation needed ] guided missile light cruiser at Boston in June 1957. [1] Provided with RIM-2 Terrier missiles, command ship facilities, and a nuclear weapons capability, she recommissioned 17 September 1959, Captain Kenneth L. Veth in command. As a missile cruiser, she retained the #1 6-inch gun turret. The #2 turret was replaced with a dual 5"/38 caliber mount; the aft armament was wholly replaced by missiles and the after side of the superstructure completely rebuilt. [3]

1960s

Following shakedown out of Guantanamo Bay, Providence arrived at her new home port of Long Beach, California, 29 July 1960. After a six-month tour of duty with the 7th Fleet, she returned to Long Beach 31 March 1961. She appeared as the fictional U.S.S Almira in the motion picture "The Honeymoon Machine" (1961) using stock footage taken of her at anchor in harbor. Following exercises off the West Coast, she arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, in May 1962, and relieved Oklahoma City as flagship of the 7th Fleet. During 1962 and 1963 she participated in 7th Fleet exercises. During a three-day visit to Saigon in January 1964, she hosted South Vietnamese and American dignitaries, and delivered more than 38 tons of "Project Handclasp" materials to local humanitarian organizations. Departing Yokosuka in July 1964, she returned to Long Beach in August. In October 1964 she began exercises in the Eastern Pacific. During January to June 1965, she received modern communications equipment. Spending the remainder of 1965 off the West Coast with the 1st Fleet, she participated in exercises and visited various West Coast ports. [1]

Deployed to WestPac 12 November 1966, she again relieved Oklahoma City (CLG–5) as flagship of the 7th Fleet on 1 December 1966 at Yokosuka, Japan. She contributed to a major bombardment of enemy positions in Vietnam 1 April 1967. She duelled with an enemy shore battery off the DMZ on 25 May. In July she provided gunfire support for amphibious operations. She bombarded enemy storage areas south of Da Nang 10 October. [1]

During 1968, she provided gunfire support off Vietnam during each month except June and December. In February 1968 Providence was involved in the Tết Offensive. [1] She contributed by shelling the wall around "The Citadel" in Huế, during the Battle of Hue. After this, as part of Operation Formation Star, Providence along with three carrier groups headed for the Sea of Japan as the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea.[ citation needed ]

Providence received her first Navy Unit Commendation for service during the period of 25 November 1966 to 8 November 1968.[ citation needed ] During 1969 she operated with the 1st Fleet off the West Coast. [1]

1970s

Providence left San Diego to provide naval gunfire support off the coast of Vietnam from April to December 1972. For her service in Vietnam, she received her second Navy Unit Commendation in 1973:

"The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Unit Commendation to USS Providence (CLG-6) for service as set forth in the following citation:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 20 April 1972 to 1 December 1972 while participating in combat operations off the coast of North and South Vietnam. In her primary role of providing naval gunfire support to allied forces in Vietnam, USS Providence inflicted serious losses on the enemy. Her outstanding support of South Vietnamese forces played a significant role in containing the North Vietnamese invasion. During the South Vietnamese counteroffensive, Providence time and again provided the firepower when and where it was needed by the forces ashore. Providence was also called upon on numerous occasions to participate in operations to interdict the flow of supplies in North Vietnam. She accomplished this mission with daring and skill, often coming under intense hostile fire. Providence took part in the first multi-cruiser strike since World War II. This daring and successful raid on military targets in the Haiphong harbor area demonstrated superior teamwork and professionalism by the officers and men of USS Providence. Their sustained superior performance reflected great credit upon themselves, their ship, and the United States Naval Service.
John W. Warner, Secretary of the Navy, 14 May 1973".[ citation needed ]

Decommissioning

Providence was decommissioned on 31 August 1973. She was stricken on 30 September 1978 and sold to National Steel Corp., Terminal Island, CA Sale # 160018 on 15 July 1980, removed from custody 31 July 1980 and scrapped.[ citation needed ]

Awards

Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star (two awards)
Combat Action Ribbon.svg Combat Action Ribbon
American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation ribbon.svg Navy Occupation Medal with "EUROPE" clasp
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Service Medal with 6 campaign stars (one silver and one bronze)
Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross, Gold Anchor ribbon.svg Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal

[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Boston</i> (CA-69) US Navy guided missile cruiser

USS <i>Topeka</i> (CL-67) Light cruiser of the United States Navy

USS Topeka (CL-67), a Cleveland-class light cruiser in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1949. From 1957 to 1960, she was converted to a Providence-class guided missile cruiser and redesignated CLG-8. The cruiser served again from 1960 to 1969 and was finally scrapped in 1975.

USS <i>Stickell</i> Gearing-class destroyer

USS Stickell (DD-888) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy in service from 1945 to 1972. She was renamed HS Kanaris (D212) in 1972 on transfer to the Hellenic Navy.

USS <i>Towers</i> Charles F. Adams-class destroyer

USS Towers (DD-959/DDG-9) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy notable for action in the Vietnam War. The ship was named in honor of Admiral John Henry Towers.

USS <i>Barry</i> (DD-933) US Navy destroyer commissioned 1956

USS Barry (DD-933) was one of eighteen Forrest Sherman–class destroyers of the United States Navy, and was the third US destroyer to be named for Commodore John Barry. Commissioned in 1954, she spent most of her career in the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Mediterranean, but also served in the Vietnam War, for which she earned two battle stars. Another notable aspect of her service was the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

USS <i>Leary</i> (DD-879) Gearing-class destroyer

USS Leary (DD/DDR-879), one of the longest-lasting Gearing-class destroyers, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Clarence F. Leary USNRF (1894–1918), who lost his life in the line of duty. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

USS <i>Galveston</i> (CL-93) Light cruiser of the United States Navy

USS Galveston (CL-93/CLG-3) was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy that was later converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser. She was launched by William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia 22 April 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Clark Wallace Thompson. The cruiser's construction was suspended when nearly complete on 24 June 1946; and the hull assigned to the Philadelphia Group of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She was reclassified CLG-93 on 4 February 1956; then reclassified to CLG-3 on 23 May 1957; and commissioned at Philadelphia 28 May 1958.

USS <i>Little Rock</i> (CL-92) Light cruiser of the United States Navy

USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4) is a Cleveland-class light cruiser and one of 27 completed for the United States Navy during or shortly after World War II. She is one of six to be converted to guided missile cruisers and the first US Navy ship to be named for Little Rock, Arkansas. Commissioned in mid-1945, she was completed too late to see combat duty during World War II and was retired post-war, becoming part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in 1949.

USS <i>Newport News</i> (CA-148) Des Moines-class cruiser of the United States Navy

USS Newport News (CA–148) was the third and last ship of the Des Moines-class of heavy cruisers in the United States Navy. She was the first fully air-conditioned surface ship and the last active all-gun heavy cruiser in the United States Navy.

USS <i>Oklahoma City</i> (CL-91) Light cruiser of the United States Navy

USS Oklahoma City (CL-91/CLG-5/CG-5) was one of 27 United States Navy Cleveland-class light cruisers completed during or shortly after World War II, and one of six to be converted to guided missile cruisers. She was the first US Navy ship to be named for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Commissioned in late 1944, she participated in the latter part of the Pacific War in anti-aircraft screening and shore bombardment roles, for which she earned two battle stars. She then served a brief stint with the occupation force. Like all but one of her sister ships, she was retired in the post-war defense cutbacks, becoming part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet in 1947.

USS <i>Rochester</i> (CA-124) United States Navy warship

The third USS Rochester (CA-124), an Oregon City-class heavy cruiser, was laid down 29 May 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Massachusetts; launched 28 August 1945; sponsored by Mrs. M. Herbert Eisenhart, wife of the president of Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester, New York; and commissioned 20 December 1946 at the Boston Navy Yard.

USS <i>Springfield</i> (CL-66) US Navy light cruiser ship

USS Springfield was a Cleveland-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, which were built during World War II. The class was designed as a development of the earlier Brooklyn-class cruisers, the size of which had been limited by the First London Naval Treaty. The start of the war led to the dissolution of the treaty system, but the dramatic need for new vessels precluded a new design, so the Clevelands used the same hull as their predecessors, but were significantly heavier. The Clevelands carried a main battery of twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, along with a secondary armament of twelve 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns. They had a top speed of 32.5 knots.

USS <i>Collett</i> Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer

USS Collett (DD-730) was a World War II-era Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy.

USS <i>Warrington</i> (DD-843) Gearing-class destroyer

USS Warrington (DD-843) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served the U.S. Navy from the end of World War II to the Vietnam War, when she was damaged by two underwater explosions, causing her to be listed as "beyond repair" and excessed to the Navy of the Republic of China.

USS <i>Coontz</i>

USS Coontz (DLG-9/DDG-40) was a Farragut-class destroyer leader/frigate in the United States Navy. She was named after Admiral Robert Coontz, the US Navy's second chief of naval operations.

USS <i>Hugh Purvis</i> Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer

USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer in service with the United States Navy from 1945 to 1972. She was then transferred to Turkey and served until 1993 as TCG Zafer (D356). The ship was scrapped in 1994.

USS <i>Ingersoll</i> (DD-652) Fletcher-class destroyer

USS Ingersoll (DD-652) was a Fletcher class destroyer in the United States Navy, serving from 28 June 1943 through 19 May 1974. Ingersoll saw action mainly in the Pacific Ocean Areas during World War II, and during the Korean War and Vietnam Wars.

USS <i>Richmond K. Turner</i>

USS Richmond K. Turner was a Leahy-class cruiser destroyer leader in the United States Navy. The ship was named for Admiral Richmond K. Turner, who served during World War II.

USS <i>Basilone</i> Gearing-class destroyer

USS Basilone (DD/DDE-824) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (1916–1945), who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action...." in the defense of Henderson Field during the 1942 Guadalcanal campaign.

USS <i>Richard E. Kraus</i> U.S. Navy Gearing-class destroyer

USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849/AG-151) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Marine Private First Class Richard E. Kraus (1925–1944), who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his "conspicuous gallantry" during the Battle of Peleliu.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Providence IV (CL-82)". Naval History and Heritage Command. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  2. Sheehy, Edward J. (1992). "The U.S. Navy, the Mediterranean, and the Cold War, 1945-1947". p. 32. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  3. Toppan, Andrew (24 April 2000). "Cleveland class light cruisers". Hazegray.org. Retrieved 10 December 2015.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships .The entry can be found here.