Yea… She Survived the War, BTW

The Battle of Tassafaronga

During the Battle of Tassafaronga, the heavy cruiser U.S.S. New Orleans (CA-32) and lead ship of her class, took a direct hit from a Japanese torpedo while trying to avoid colliding with the damaged heavy cruiser U.S.S. Minneapolis.

The resulting explosion detonated the ship’s forward magazine and fuel tanks, blowing her bow completely off, including her forward turret, killing 138 men and causing even more damage when the bow swung around the port side and punched several holes in the hull.

Repairs and Return to Service

Now you think with most of the front section gone, New Orleans would have been abandoned and scuttled. But the ship’s surviving damage control teams were able to not only seal off the exposed areas of the ship, but sail her back to the naval base at Tulagi Harbor.

Where the crew had to camouflage the ship to prevent being spotted by enemy aircraft, before then sailing to Sydney. Where a temporary stub bow was fitted before making the long voyage back to Puget Sound Navy Yard in Washington state. Keep in mind, she had to do all this sailing in reverse.

Final Legacy

Once back in the States, New Orleans was not only given a new bow and forward turret, but was also given a major refit. Returning to frontline service in mid-1943 and would survive the remainder of the war.