Some 90 years ago today, we see the brand spanking new New Orleans-class heavy cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34) entering Honolulu harbor during her shakedown cruise, on 9 July 1934.
Photographed by Tai Sing Loo. Donated by the U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Pa. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Catalog #: NH 91726
Laid down as a light cruiser on 1 September 1930 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard by 28 April 1934 she was commissioned and brought into service as a heavy cruiser complete with a trio of triple 8″/55 Mark 9 mounts, the fine ship seen above was the second to carry the name of the Oregon city.
She had a happy pre-war life and went on to earn three battle stars during World War II, sadly sent to the bottom after a lop-sided artillery duel off Savo Island in August 1942.
Hits sustained by Astoria at the Battle of Savo Island off Guadalcanal on August 9, 1942