USS Houston
Sunk
| Type | Heavy cruiser |
|---|---|
| Class | Northampton |
| War | Second World War |
| Main guns | 9 × 8″ guns in 3 triple turrets |
Flagship of the US Asiatic Fleet; a favourite of President Roosevelt. Fought at the Java Sea and was sunk with Perth at Sunda Strait; 693 of her crew died. Her captain, Albert Rooks, was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 9 × 8 in (203 mm)/55 caliber guns (3×3)
- 4 × 5 in (127 mm)/25 caliber anti-aircraft guns
- 16 × 1.1 inch (28 mm)/75 caliber anti-aircraft guns in four quad mounts
- 2 × 3-pounder 47 mm (1.9 in) saluting guns
- 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Torpedo battery removed by the mid-Thirties.
Armour
- Belt: 3–3+3⁄4 in (76–95 mm)
- Deck: 1–2 in (25–51 mm)
- Barbettes: 1+1⁄2 in (38 mm)
- Turrets: 3⁄4–2+1⁄2 in (19–64 mm)
- Conning Tower: At least 3 inches.
| Builder | Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 1 May 1928 |
| Launched | 7 September 1929 |
| Commissioned | 17 June 1930 |
| Displacement | 9,050 long tons (9,195 t) (standard) |
| Length | 600 ft 3 in (182.96 m) oa 569 ft (173 m) pp |
| Speed | 32.7 kn (37.6 mph; 60.6 km/h) |
| Complement | 109 officers 676 enlisted |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Launched
7 September 1929
Battle of Makassar Strait
Damaged
4 February 1942
After turret knocked out; 48 killed
Battle of the Java Sea
Damaged
27 February 1942
After turret out of action from an earlier bomb
28 February – 1 March 1942
Captain Rooks killed