USS Worcester US Navy Light Cruiser

History and Technical Reference

By Mark A. Janowski

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

Page i

U.S.S. Worcester – CL-144

History and Technical Reference

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

Page ii

Dedication:

To the men who

served aboard her

June 26, 1948

to

December 19, 1958

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Preface & Thanks

This book is a compilation of information from many sources. The USS Worcester Association’s web site has an enhanced

version of the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) entry that I have further enhanced with photographs,

maps and drawings. There are photographs from the US National Archives, The US Navy’s History Branch and from

several individuals. The maps are from the ship’s newspaper, “The Worcester’s Rooster” and US Navy’s History Branch

web site (history.navy.mil). The drawings are from US Navy publications and enhancements of scans of the ship’s plans on

microfilm.

Thanks to:

My dad, John A. Janowski, Jr., T Division, for photographs, stories, encouragement and sharing things he saved from his

time in the US Navy aboard the Worcester

Eugene Visconti, ship’s photographer, for sharing many photographs

Phil Harter, T Division, for answering questions and finding information and sources

William Lindeman, T Division, for sharing photographs

Jack Beard, for providing photographs of the seaplanes

Russell Maxwell, USS Brush, for providing photographs and more information about the mining of the Brush

All of the USS Worcester veterans for providing an interesting story to research and compile

Eugene Slover – whose website, www.eugeneleeslover.com, provided a wealth of information on naval artillery and gun fire

control systems

And thanks to my family, especially my wife, for their patience and understanding as I spent many hours in front of the

computer.

MAJ – 06/2006

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Table of Contents

Preface & Thanks iii

Design, Construction and Commissioning 1

Introduction 1

Design 1

Construction 8

Commissioning 8

Operational History 10

Atlantic Fleet Service 10

1948 10

1949 11

1950 13

Korean Theater Service 15

Assisting the USS Brush 17

Fire Support, Interdiction and Mines 18

Return to the Atlantic Fleet 20

1951 20

1952 21

1953 22

1954 22

1955 23

Pacific Fleet Service 23

1956 23

1957 24

Reserve Fleet Service 24

1958 24

Final Disposition 25

Awards 25

Commanding Officers 25

Weapons 28

Main Battery – 6”/47 Caliber Guns 28

Secondary/Anti-Aircraft Battery – 3”/50 Cal. Guns 31

20mm Guns 33

Radar and Fire Control Directors 34

Mk 13 Radar – Main Battery Surface Fire Control 34

Mk 27 Radar – Projectile Ranging 34

Mk 37 Gun Fire Control System 35

Mk 56 Gun Director & Mk 35 Radar 39

Mk 63 Gun Director & Mk 34 Radar 40

Search Radar 41

SG-6 - Surface Search 41

SP - Height Finding 41

SR-2 – Air Search 41

SR-6 Air Search 41

Aircraft 42

Catapult launched seaplane 42

Target Pilotless Aircraft 43

Helicopter 45

Drawings – Guns & Directors/Main Deck Arrangement 47

Drawings – Inboard Profile 49

Drawings - Outboard Profile 51

Data 53

References 54

Photographs - Credits 54

Drawings 54

Maps 54

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List of Figures

Figure 1 - Historical Data Plate Drawing (from NARA Microfilm) 1

Figure 2 - Scheme "A" - 31 July 1941 - 4 Triple Turrets (NHC) 2

Figure 3 - Scheme "B" - 31 July 1941- 6 Twin Turrets (NHC) 3

Figure 4 – Scheme “C” – 31 July 1941 - 4 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC) 4

Figure 5 – Scheme “D” – 18 October 1941 - 5 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC) 5

Figure 6 – Scheme “E” – 11 July 1942 - 5 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC) 6

Figure 7 – Scheme “J” - 31 May 1943 (revised further in June and July

1943) – 6 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC) 7

Figure 8 – Worcester during construction (NARA) 8

Figure 9 - Boatswains pipe the first watch to duty following ship's com-

missioning (NARA) 8

Figure 10 - Color guard salutes the flag after posting at the stern - June

26, 1948 (NARA) 9

Figure 11 - ETs outside Radio 2 (WL) 10

Figure 12 – Worcester in the North Atlantic (NHC) 11

Figure 13 - Atlantic Storm - December 1949 (WL) 12

Figure 14 - Atlantic Storm - December 1949 (WL) 12

Figure 15 - Storm Related Damage - December 1949 (WL) 12

Figure 16 - Storm Related Damage - December 1949 (WL) 12

Figure 17 - Anchored off St. Mark's Square Venice, Italy (EAV) 13

Figure 18 - Firing 6" Guns (EAV) 14

Figure 19 - Port Said, Egypt - Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal

(JAJ) 15

Figure 20 - Carriers Valley Forge & Leyte of Task Force 77 at Sasebo,

Japan 1950 (NHC) 16

Figure 21 – Powder Handling aboard USS Worcester (NHC) 16

Figure 22 - USS Brush lies low in the water after hitting mine (RM) 17

Figure 23 - Transferring USS Brush Casualty (EAV) 17

Figure 24 - Providing medical aid to Brush wounded (EAV) 18

Figure 25 - Worcester transits Panama Canal - Nov. 1950 (EAV) 20

Figure 26 Anti-radiation washdown system test 1952 (NHC) 21

Figure 27 – Worcester in Long Beach, 1956 (NHC) 23

Figure 28 – USS Missouri, USS Roanoke, USS Worcester (NHC) 24

Figure 29 - Venice 1950 (EAV) 25

Figure 30 - Deck Operations (EAV) 25

Figure 31 - Midship - weapon systems locations 26

Figure 32 – Foremast, Forward Stack, Stub Mast and Aft Stack, 3”/50

Mount in Foreground (JAJ) 27

Figure 33 - Foremast, Foreward Stack, Mk 37 Director in foreground

(WL) 27

Figure 34 – Section through 6”/47 dual-purpose two-gun turret (NavPers

10797-A) 28

Figure 35 – Plan view of 6”/47 two-gun turret gun house (NavPers

10797-A) 29

Figure 36 – Plan view of upper projectile flat in 6”/47 two-gun turret

(NavPers 10797-A) 29

Figure 37 – Plan view of powder –handling flat in 6”/47 two-gun turret

(NavPers 10797-A) 30

Figure 38 - 3"/50 Cal. Twin Mount (NavPers 10797-A) 31

Figure 39 - 3"/50 Cal. Twin Mount aboard USS Worcester (WL) 31

Figure 40 - 3"/50Cal. Twin Mount - Personnel Stations (NavPers 10797-

A) 32

Figure 41 - Preparing to fire 20mm Guns (CB) 33

Figure 42 - Mk 27 Radar (ice covered) located between gun barrels (WL)

34

Figure 43 - Mk 37 GFCS Element Interconnection (NavPers 10798-A) 35

Figure 44 - Mk 37 Director with Mk 25 Radar (NavPers 10798-A) 36

Figure 45 - Mk 37 Director with Mk 25 Radar (left), Mk 63 Gun sight (cen-

ter, bottom) (WL) 37

Figure 46 - Mk 1A Computer (NavPers 10798-A) 37

37

Figure 47 - Mk 6 Stable Element and Mk 1A Computer (NavPers 10798-

A) 38

Figure 48 - Mark-1A Computer (CB) 38

Figure 49 - Mk 56 GCFS Diagram (NavPers 10798-A) 39

Figure 50 - Mk 63 GFCS Diagram (NavPers 10798-A) 40

Figure 51 - Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk Seaplane (JB) 42

Figure 52 - Target drone on its catapult (JAJ) 43

Figure 53 - Target drone maintenance (JAJ) 44

Figure 54 - Target drone launch (JB) 44

Figure 55 - Helicopter operations (EAV) 45

Figure 56 - Helicopter operations (EAV) 46

46

Figure 57 - Helicopter Operations (JB) 46

Figure 58 - Elizabeth Taylor visits the Worcester (EAV) 55

Figure 59 - USS Worcester - CL-144 (EAV) 55

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Design, Construction and

Commissioning

Introduction

The USS WORCESTER, CL-144, was formally started as a project by

the Bureau of Ships when a request for designs was made by the

General Board on May 13, 1942.

Design

The design process actually started in 1941 in an effort to produce a

light cruiser armed with rapid-fire 6”/47 caliber dual-purpose guns. The

dual-purpose 6” gun was first proposed in 1936. It was considered for a

few ship designs, but was too heavy when the limitations of the naval

armament treaties were considered. The 6”/47 gun was revived in June

1941 with a request from the General Board to the Bureau of Ships and

the design of the Worcester class started in earnest. This resulted in

eleven different preliminary plans being prepared.

There were many issues to be resolved during the design process –

ship size, speed, armor configuration, cost and number of guns. The 6”/

47 twin gun turret increased from 260 tons to 360 tons and size from 16’

6”to 18’ 6”. This caused problems that the designers had to overcome.

The General Board wanted to change all of the CLs 143-149 from light

cruisers to heavy cruisers with 8” guns if the Bureau of Ordnance could

supply the 8” turrets. The Bureau of Ordnance couldn’t and it was

suggested that 3 of the ships have 8” guns and 4 of the ships use 6”

dual-purpose guns so that all the ships could be delivered in 1946. The

suggestion was followed and the final development and construction of

the Worcester class started.

The final design differed from the tenth design scheme’s sketches. The

design fulfilled the requirements of several functional needs:

• All guns used for anti-aircraft fire as well as for surface targets

• Destroyer-like maneuverability

• Carry out scouting operations

• Lead a flotilla of destroyers

• Keep the sea in any kind of weather

• Large fuel capacity for long voyages

• Fuel smaller ships

• Speed to overtake other vessels and keep up with fast carriers

• Provide armor protection against gunfire and carry superior

guns capable of out-shooting the enemy’s cruiser units, and still

repel mass air attacks.

The following pages show some of the design sketches from the US

Navy’s Bureau of Ships, Preliminary Design Branch, Spring Styles

Book #3 1939-1944.

Figure 1 - Historical Data Plate Drawing (from NARA Microfilm)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 2 - Scheme "A" - 31 July 1941 - 4 Triple Turrets (NHC)

Plan emphasizes speed and number of main battery guns, with reduced protection.

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 3 - Scheme "B" - 31 July 1941- 6 Twin Turrets (NHC)

Plan emphasizes speed and number of main battery guns, with reduced protection. Hull sections depict three different armor schemes, two with

deck armor only and one with deck and side armor.

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Figure 4 – Scheme “C” – 31 July 1941 - 4 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC)

Plan emphasizes somewhat smaller size and enhanced protection, at the expense of speed and number of main battery guns. It also carries no

aircraft.

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 5 – Scheme “D” – 18 October 1941 - 5 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC)

This scheme emphasizes deck armor over speed and number of main battery guns.

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 6 – Scheme “E” – 11 July 1942 - 5 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC)

This design represents an effort to limit ship size by reducing armor protection.

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 7 – Scheme “J” - 31 May 1943 (revised further in June and July 1943) – 6 Twin Gun Turrets (NHC)

Prepared during the development of what became the Worcester (CL-144) class. It features twelve main battery guns and a flush deck hull, with

aircraft facilities located aft. Versions with one and two smokestacks are shown.

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Construction

Figure 8 – Worcester during construction (NARA)

The building of the Worcester was authorized through appropriations

obtained by War Bonds sponsored by the City of Worcester,

Massachusetts. The WORCESTER was the first of four in her class,

planned to be built, but only two would be completed, the

WORCESTER (CL-144) and the ROANOKE (CL-145).

The WORCESTER’s keel was laid on January 29, 1945 at New York

Shipbuilding and Dry-dock Corporation in Camden, New Jersey.

Commissioning

Figure 9 - Boatswains pipe the first watch to duty following ship's

commissioning (NARA)

The Worcester was christened and launched on February 4, 1947,

sponsored by Miss Gloria Ann Sullivan, daughter of Mayor and Mrs. F.

G. Sullivan of Worcester, Massachusetts The Worcester was

commissioned on June 26, 1948 at the Philadelphia Naval Base with

Captain T. B. Dugan Commanding.

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Statistics at Commissioning:

Displacement 14,000 tons

Length 680 feet

Width 71 feet

Draft 26 feet

Power 120,000 SHP

Steam Plant 4 x 620 PSI boilers

Engine Geared steam turbines, 4 screws

Maximum speed33 knots at flank speed

Ship's Complement1,070 men

Construction cost$30,000,000

Figure 10 - Color guard salutes the flag after posting at the stern -

June 26, 1948 (NARA)

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Operational History

This operational history was developed from the Worcester’s entry in

the U.S. Navy’s Dictionary of American Navy Fighting Ships (DANFS),

entries in the ship’s deck log and memories from some of the crew

members. Members of the USS Worcester Association contributed the

“memories”.

Atlantic Fleet Service

1948

After commissioning, WORCESTER was assigned to Cruiser Division

(CruDiv) 10, and spent the first year of her commissioned service

completing her fitting out, conducting shakedown training off the

eastern seaboard of the U.S., and undergoing availability type training.

Upon completing her fitting out, she departed on 13 September for trials

in Delaware Bay, and arrived at Norfolk Naval Base 20 September. She

departed Norfolk for Boston on 30 September for presentation of the

ship’s silver service. She then departed Boston on 4 October headed

for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arriving on 7 October 1948 to begin her

shakedown period. She operated out of Guantanamo Bay and

Cristobal, Canal Zone until 10 November. Then she departed

Guantanamo Bay on 9 December for the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard,

and on 15 December went in for final fitting and overhaul. This is when

her 3-inch guns were installed.

Figure 11 - ETs outside Radio 2 (WL)

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1949

Figure 12 – Worcester in the North Atlantic (NHC)

WORCESTER then departed Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 11 May

1949, enroute to Norfolk Naval Base, arriving on 12 May. She departed

Norfolk on 18 May headed to Guantanamo Bay for a period of refresher

training before her first Mediterranean Cruise. She arrived at

Guantanamo on 21 May. The following ports were visitied during this

cruise:

Kingston, Jamaica on 18-19 June

San Juan, Puerto Rico on 4 July

Culebra, Puerto Rico for gunnery drills on 5-7 July.

She departed Culebra for Norfolk, arriving 11 July. Then departed

Norfolk on 15 July enroute Boston, arriving 18 July. Departed Boston 22

July for Newport, Rhode Island for a Reserve Training Cruise arrived 22

July. The Reserves came aboard and she departed Newport 26 July for

New York, N.Y. She arrived New York on 29 July, and then departed 1

August for Newport again, arriving 6 August Departed Newport again

on 21 August for Norfolk, arriving 23 August She loaded ammunition at

Norfolk and departed 27 August headed back to Newport, Rhode

Island, arriving 28 August 1949.

FIRST MED CRUISE -

On 6 September 1949 Worcester departed Newport, R.I. for her first

Mediterranean Cruise. She arrived in Gibraltar, B.C.C. (British Crown

Colony), on 16 September 1949, where she became part of the U.S.

Sixth Fleet, with the carrier LEYTE (CV-32) and the Heavy Cruiser DES

MOINES (CA-134). She departed Gibraltar on 22 September and

visited:

Malta on 26 September

Arancia Bay, Sardinia on 28 September

Golfe Juan, France on 30 September

Malta on 12 October

Bizerte, Tunisia on 15 October

Malta on 20 October

Argostoli, Greece on 22 October

Crete on 25 October

Iskenderum, Turkey on 28 October

Athens, Greece on 2 November

She departed Athens on 9 November enroute Trieste, Free Territory via

the Adriatic Sea. A WW-II floating mine was spotted and then punctured

and sunk by rifle fire. She arrived at Trieste 12 November; then Venice,

Italy on 19 November; then on to Gibraltar, B.C.C on 30 November. At

Gibraltar, she was detached from the Sixth Fleet, and departed thru the

straits of Gibraltar enroute Norfolk Naval Shipyard, arriving on 10

December 1949. Her first Mediterranean Cruise was successfully

completed. On December 13, 1949 WORCESTER departed Norfolk

arriving at Newport, RI on 15 December.

In December of 1949, the Worcester sailed through a storm in the North

Atlantic. Photographs of the storm and the damage from the storm

follow. The forward gun director (Fig. 16) was removed from its position

on the deck near the bow (Fig. 15) and relocated to a position located in

front of turret #1.

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Figure 13 - Atlantic Storm - December 1949 (WL)

Figure 14 - Atlantic Storm - December 1949 (WL)

Figure 15 - Storm Related Damage - December 1949 (WL)

Figure 16 - Storm Related Damage - December 1949 (WL)

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Figure 17 - Anchored off St. Mark's Square Venice, Italy (EAV)

1950

WORCESTER departed Newport on 9 January 1950 with some Navy

Reservist’s aboard for a 2 week Caribbean Cruise, stopping at San

Juan, Puerto Rico 14 January. She departed San Juan on 16 January

enroute back to Newport, R.I., arriving 21 January. Departed Newport

24 January for the Philadelphia Navy Shipyard. Arrived 25 January, and

then departed Philadelphia on 11 February to return to Newport on 12

February. She then departed Newport on 20 February, enroute to

Norfolk, arriving Norfolk 21 February 1950. On 23 February 1950,

WORCESTER departed Norfolk to participate in Operation PORTEX, a

joint Army, Navy/Marine and Air Force exercise off the coast of Puerto

Rico until 12 March, when she departed Vieques, P.R. to form up for

Operation CARIBEX-FIFTY. At the completion of CARIBEX-FIFTY on

22 March, she departed for Norfolk, arriving 24 March. Departed

Norfolk 27 March for Newport, R.I. arriving on 28 March. She then

departed Newport 17 April for NavShipYard, Philadelphia, arriving 18

April for a short overhaul. She departed Philadelphia on 2 May, enroute

Norfolk, arriving 3 May to load ammunition and make a same-day

departure with “Task Force 88” to relieve units of the Sixth Fleet.

SECOND MED CRUISE - WORCESTER arrived Lisbon, Portugal on

13 May 1950 to begin her second cruise with the Sixth Fleet. She

departed Lisbon 16 May enroute to Palmas Bay, Sardinia, arriving 20

May, then departed 21 May for Malta Operations Area for Operation

MEDLANDEX.

Ports visited:Augusta Bay, Sicily - May 25 - May 31, 1950

Bizerte, Tunisia – June 1 – June 5, 1950

Naples, Italy – June 8 – June 16, 1950

Malta Operation Area – June 16 – Jun 18, 1960

Genoa, Italy – June 21 – June 26, 1950

On 25 June 1950 the North Korean army invaded South Korea.

Departed Genoa on 26 June for La Spezia on 26 June, then departed

for Golfe Juan, France on 29 June, arriving 3 July. Then departed Golfe

Juan enroute Crete for another “MIDLANDEX” Exercise on 15 July,

then on to Athens, Greece, arriving Phaleron Bay, Greece on 20 July.

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Figure 18 - Firing 6" Guns (EAV)

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Korean Theater Service

Figure 19 - Port Said, Egypt - Mediterranean entrance to the Suez

Canal (JAJ)

While on her second tour to the Mediterranean, Korean hostilities broke

out and WORCESTER received orders to depart for the Far East

Theatre. On July 27, 1950, WORCESTER departed Phaleron Bay and

joined Destroyer Division 21, which included: BERRY, (DDE-858);

KEPLER, (DDE-765); NORMS, (DDE-859); and McCAFFREY, (DDE-

860). The detached high-speed taskforce departed for the 7,800 mile

trip to Korean waters, via the Suez Canal, passing Port Said, Egypt on

29 July, then thru the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and

arrived Colombo, Ceylon on 7 August 1950. They departed Colombo on

9 August for Okinawa, passing thru the Bashi Channel to Buckner Bay,

Okinawa, arriving 19 August. They had been routed thru the Bashi

Channel to be available to counter any invasion attempt on Formosa by

the Communist Chinese. After refueling from the tanker NAVASOTA

(AO- 106), they departed Okinawa on 20 August and arrived Keelung,

Formosa 21 August 1950 to join the Formosa Patrol. She was at anchor

in Keelung from 22 thru 26 August On 27 August 1950, WORCESTER

departed Keelung to join Task Force 77 (TF-77), the fast carrier task

force, consisting of PHILIPPINE SEA, (CV-47) and VALLEY FORGE,

(CV-45), then operating in the Yellow Sea off the coast of Korea. In the

ensuing days, the carriers launched air strikes against North Korean

ground targets while the screen provided protection against the

possibility of North Korean air attacks. Her helicopter also performed

plane-guard duty, standing by in the air to rescue any ditched pilots

from nearby waters. On September 4, WORCESTER’S radar picked up

an un-identified contact at 13:31 hours. The combat air patrol, (4-

Vought F4U Corsairs) from VALLEY FORGE, (CV-45), reported the

contact as a twin-engine bomber with a Red Star marking. At 13:45

hours, the F4U’s vectored to the “bogey” by FLETCHER (DDE-445)

splashed the bomber 47 miles away. The following day, WORCESTER

went to General Quarters at 11:08, and commenced maneuvering at 20

knots, to avoid possible air attack, when her radar picked up an un-

identified target closing on the formation from the east. Three minutes

later, WORCESTER fired three rounds of 6” in the direction of the

intruder to warn her off. It turned out to be a British “Short Sunderland”

flying boat on patrol. At 21:43 WORCESTER secured from Battle

Stations and resumed her patrol with TF-77. On September 6,

WORCESTER retired from her screening duties and transferred her

helicopter to PHILIPPINE SEA, (CV-47) to clear the ship for a practice

anti-aircraft firing drill. Then she recovered the “Chopper” and set

course for Sasebo, Japan, for replenishment of her ammunition, fuel,

stores, and provisions. She remained in Sasebo until 05:32 on 10

September when she departed for the Yellow Sea and formed up with

TF-77 on 15 September, to support the amphibious assault on North

Korean forces in the Inchon and Seoul areas of Korea (Operation

Chromite). A daring strike, aimed at outflanking the North Korean

invaders by a strategic landing behind their lines in South Korea,

masterminded by General Douglas McArthur. WORCESTER screened

the fast carrier task force as their planes bombed North Korean targets

ashore. On September 20, she was detached to conduct shore

bombardment with TG-95.2 in the vicinity of Pohang Dong. She

proceeded to the objective via the Straits north of the Quelpart Islands

and west of Tsushima, to the rendezvous with the HELENA, (CA-75), 3

miles off the east coast of Korea and 12 miles north of Pohang Dong.

She relieved the HELENA in her Fire Support duties at 06:00 on 24

September.

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Figure 20 - Carriers Valley Forge & Leyte of Task Force 77 at

Sasebo, Japan 1950 (NHC)

At 08:05, WORCESTER began shore bombardment, shelling nine

North Korean troop concentrations ashore. Directed by Korean Military

Advisory Group (KMAG) personnel ashore, WORCESTER delivered

Call-Fire throughout the day, with pinpoint accuracy, at troop

concentrations and command post’s. At dusk, she was relieved by

SAMUEL N. MOORE, (DD-747), the nighttime fire support ship, and

departed to seaward of the fire support area, for the night.

Figure 21 – Powder Handling aboard USS Worcester (NHC)

WORCESTER returned the following morning and resumed her Fire

Support duties, adding to the already beaten and retreating North

Korean forces. Throughout the 25th, WORCESTER, using “KMAG”

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spotting from ashore, delivered Fire Support for the advancing U.N.

Forces, breaking up communist troop concentrations with her precise 6-

inch fire. The ship’s War Diary at one point recorded: “Spotter reported

troops dispersed. “KMAG” reported that all firing has been very effective

and instrumental in enemy retreat.” WORCESTER spent the night

hours of the 25th and into the 26th, patrolling eight miles of a stretch of

coast between Yonghae and Utchin. The rapid advance of the U.N.

Forces on the 26th, negated fire support from WORCESTER’s guns

until September 27, when she received a report that the USS BRUSH,

(DD-745) had struck a mine off Tanchon, North Korea at 12:20. The

USS SAMUEL N. MOORE,(DD-747) took over On-call Fire Support

duties, and the WORCESTER immediately steamed at up to 27 knots

for 100 miles to provide assistance.

Figure 22 - USS Brush lies low in the water after hitting mine (RM)

Assisting the USS Brush

Figure 23 - Transferring USS Brush Casualty (EAV)

Upon arrival, the BRUSH was down by the bow, with a 3-degree port

list, and there were five dead and 30 injured. At 01:01 on the 27th,

WORCESTER commenced taking on board the more seriously

wounded of the destroyer’s crew via high-line transfer. Two Corpsmen

were transferred to the BRUSH to prepare the wounded for transfer. By

02:28, fifteen stretcher cases, all suffering from burns, were received on

the WORCESTER.

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Figure 24 - Providing medical aid to Brush wounded (EAV)

The WORCESTER and BRUSH altered course for Japan after damage

control shored up bulkheads around the damaged area, and later that

day, took on four more stretcher patients and six ambulatory patients,

plus one corpse. They were later joined by the salvage vessel USS

BOLSTER, (ARS-38) and destroyer DeHAVEN (DD-727), and

continued to Sasebo, Japan, arriving at Sasebo the afternoon of 29

Sep., 1950. As she was being made fast to her buoy in Sasebo harbor,

WORCESTER received this message from the BRUSH: “With us you

are not only Big League, but World Champions. The kindness,

consideration and eagerness to help, of WORCESTER’s ship’s

company, will never be forgotten by the BRUSH.”

Fire Support, Interdiction and Mines

On September 30, WORCESTER departed Sasebo to return to Korean

waters, and at 06:00 on October 1, joined the task force south of the

41st. parallel, to resume her fire support and interdiction duties to

support the advance of the U.N. Troops. As she patrolled off the coast,

WORCESTER launched her helicopter to conduct anti-submarine and

anti-mine patrols, and frequently stationed lookouts on the bow of the

ship with their eyes peeled for mines. Periodically the screening

destroyers found and destroyed mines drifting nearby. Recent

encounters with the horned spheres had resulted in all operations being

carried out at the 100-fathom curve, which meant maximum gun range

for the ships when “Call-Fire” was requested. On 7 October,

WORCESTER picked up 3 North Korean POW’s, and transferred them

to USS ROCHESTER (CA-124). WORCESTER, as flagship for TG-

95.2, returned to Sasebo on 8 October, and Rear Admiral C.C. Hartman

removed his flag and staff from the WORCESTER while she was re-

fueling, rearming and loading provisions. On 9 October, WORCESTER

became a Flagship again, when Rear Admiral Allen E. Smith brought

his flag and staff aboard as Commander TG-95. At 12:48 on 10

October, WORCESTER got underway to return to the East Coast of

Korea, this time to screen mine-sweeping operations at the important

port of Wonson, and to support the advance of the 3rd. Republic of

Korea (ROK) Army Division. Early on 11 October, the operation truly

became International, when the British destroyer JAMES COCKADE

(D-34), the Australian destroyer HIMIAS WARRAMUNGA,(D-123), and

the Canadian destroyer HMCS ATHABASKAN, joined WORCESTER’s

group, which already included the British Light Cruiser JAMS CEYLON

(C-30) and heavy cruiser JAMS HELENA and the U.S. Heavy Cruiser

ROCHESTER (CA-124), and destroyers HERBERT J. THOMAS (DD-

833) and MADDOX (DD-731). On 12 October the Battleship MISSOURI

(BB-63) joined, bringing her heavy 16” guns to the task force. While

MISSOURI’s helicopter searched the projected bombardment track for

mines, the U.N. Force formed up for battle. At 11:50, when a shell from

an unobserved shore battery fell 5,000 yards short of the group, it

apparently signaled the beginning. WORCESTER hoisted the Blue &

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White U.N. Flag to the foretruck and commenced firing at exactly noon

on 12 October For the next 90 odd minutes, WORCESTER’s 6” guns

hammered at iron works and railroad tunnels in the port installations of

Chongjin, just 50 miles from Communist China. WORCESTER’s 6”

guns expended 1,065 rounds in the shore bombardment on 12 October

On 13 October; she was at Songjin, and shelled port facilities and

railroad installations with 150 rounds of 6” (Songjin is now listed as

Kimchaek). On 17 October, she returned to Chongjin and fired an

additional 105 rounds of 6” at what was left of the port facilities. Both of

these targets were over 100 miles north of Wonsan, and were shelled to

damage North Korean supply lines. Over the next few days,

WORCESTER and the ships in company with her proceeded to rain

destruction on targets of opportunity near Wonson, targets that ranged

from railroad marshaling yards to rolling stock, and adjacent warehouse

areas. Also on 16 October, in an action reminiscent of the “Battle of the

Pips”, in WW-II, the HELENA, WORCESTER and accompanying

destroyers fired at unidentified radar targets, ”Blips”, on radar screens

that were approaching from the north. They were never visually spotted

or confirmed, but were probably 2 flocks of geese. WORCESTER then

returned to Sasebo to pick up mall and some passengers, then returned

to the Wonson Task Force to transfer the mail, VIP passengers and her

helicopter unit to the ROCHESTER, (CA-124), then at 17:23 on 21

October, in company with LIMS HELENA, and screened by USS

SUTHERLAND, (DD-743) and USS ENGLISH,(DD-696), she cleared

Korean waters to join up with USS COLLETT,(DD-730). WORCESTER

then was escorted only by USS COLLETT and continued on to Sasebo,

Japan. She arrived at Sasebo 23 October and disembarked Rear

Admiral Smith, his Flag and Staff, to the Destroyer Tender USS DIXIE,

(AD-14). WORCESTER then completed her transfer of helicopter

support personnel, spares, and equipment to Fleet Activities, Sasebo,

and at 17:0 1 on 23 October, departed Sasebo for Yokosuka, Japan,

arriving 08:23 on 25 October After refueling, replenishment, liberty for

her crew, and cleaning of two boilers, WORCESTER departed

Yokosuka, Japan on 27 October 1950, enroute Pearl Harbor, Honolulu,

Hawaii. The day after she sailed, WORCESTER received a radio

dispatch from Admiral Turner Joy, Commander, Naval Forces, Far

East, which said: “Upon the WORCESTER’s departure from the Far

East, I wish to extend a hearty ‘WELL DONE’ to the entire Ship’s

Company. Your rapid deployment from the European Station, to

the Far East, followed by your immediate and most effective

participation in the Korean effort, clearly demonstrates that your

status of ‘War Readiness’ was excellent.”

Korean Service Statistics (from the Souvenir Edition of the ship’s

newspaper “Worcester’s Rooster”)

• Departed Philadelphia - May 2, 1950

• Arrived Philadelphia – November 21, 1950

• 203 days

• 47, 617 miles

• Underway 3,462 hours, in port 1,754 hours

• 5,300,826 gallons of fuel oil

• Refueled 43 times underway

• At General Quarters 76 times

• Ammunition expended

o 6” – 1,977 rounds

o 3” – 900 rounds

o 20mm – 8,179 rounds

• Transited Suez and Panama Canals

• Crossed the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans

• Used 6,890,663 gallons of fresh water

• Consumed 300,000 lbs fresh meat, 54,000 lbs butter, 160,000

lbs sugar, 232,800 eggs and 1,900,000 cups of coffee

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

Page 20

Heading Home

Figure 25 - Worcester transits Panama Canal - Nov. 1950 (EAV)

WORCESTER then departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 4 November for

the Panama Canal Zone, arriving 15 November. She departed the

Atlantic side of the Panama Canal on 16 November, enroute the

Philadelphia Naval Base. She arrived at Philadelphia on 21 November

1950, having circumnavigated the globe. She departed NavBase

Philadelphia on 27 November, enroute Norfolk, arriving 28 November to

unload ammunition, then departed 29 November for Boston Navy Yard.

WORCESTER arrived at her homeport of Boston on 1 December 1950.

Return to the Atlantic Fleet

1951

After a needed overhaul in the Boston Naval Shipyard, she departed

Boston on 20 March, enroute Norfolk, arriving 22 March to load

ammunition, and then departed 30 March for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,

arriving 2 April for some refresher training in the Caribbean. By this

time, her armament and fire control systems had been battle tested and

her fighting weight tipped the scales at 17,000 tons. During anti-

submarine training out of Guantanamo Bay, a depth charge was rolled

off the fantail and exploded at the wrong depth. The result was a

propeller shaft strut bearing was damaged and she was forced to return

to Norfolk. She departed Guantanamo 28 April enroute Norfolk, arriving

30 April and put into dry-dock on 1 May in Newport News. She left dry

dock on 4 May, 1951 with a new Skipper in command. Captain H.H.

Henderson turned over command of the WORCESTER to Captain C.A.

Buchanan. Moving from dry dock in Newport News to Norfolk, he had

been ordered to tie up on the port side of the USS ROCHESTER, (CA-

124). Since tugs were not available to assist the Captain, he took the

ship in alone and managed to crush all the fenders between the two

hulls and then wiped out all projections on the port quarter of the

ROCHESTER.

THIRD MED CRUISE - After necessary repairs were made, provisions

re-stocked, and ammunition loaded, WORCESTER departed Norfolk

on 15 May 1951, for Augusta Bay, Sicily, to begin her third

Mediterranean Cruise, arriving Augusta Bay on 22 May. Other ports

visited on the 1951 Cruise were: Athens, Greece on 1-8 June; Taranto,

Italy on 14-18 June; Genoa, Italy on 22-29 June; Cannes, France on 2-

9 July; Golfe Juan, France on 9-16 July; Izinir, Turkey on 23-28 July;

Suda Bay, Crete on 2-12 Aug;; Golfe Juan, France on 18-22 August;

Cannes, France on 22-27 August; Marseille, France on 28-31 August;

Genoa, Italy on 8-12 September; then Gibraltar, B.C.C. on 22-26

September. Worcester departed Gibraltar on 26 September cleared the

Strait of Gibraltar and headed west for it’s home port of Boston to

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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complete it’s third Mediterranean Cruise. She made port in Boston

harbor 4 October 1951. WORCESTER then departed Boston on 18

October, enroute Norfolk, and arrived 20 October to unload

ammunition, then departed Norfolk for Vieques, Puerto Rico, on 31

October to 1 November, then returned to Boston Navy Yard on 17

November for an overhaul period.

1952

Figure 26 Anti-radiation washdown system test 1952 (NHC)

She left Boston 21 January and re-joined the Atlantic Fleet for Cold

Weather Exercises with Cruiser Div. Four, off the coast of

Newfoundland. On 31 January 1952, WORCESTER tied up at Norfolk

Navy Yard to load hoses, spray nozzles and pumps, plus assorted

radiological monitoring equipment and some N.R.C. specialist’s. On 4

February she departed Norfolk for open water to undergo “Atomic

Washdown” tests. The spray nozzles were arranged in a pattern to

completely envelope the ship in a cloud of water to wash off radiation

fallout. With the tests completed, she returned to Norfolk on 8 February

to off-load all the hoses, nozzles, pumps, radiological instruments and

N.R.C. personnel. WORCESTER departed Norfolk 11 February,

enroute Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arriving 14 February for refresher

training. WORCESTER received orders 17 February to paint ship and

proceed to Galveston, Texas as a Host Ship for the Mardi Gras. She

departed 19 February and arrived Galveston 23 Feb, for the Big

Celebration. She departed Galveston 27 February and arrived

Guantanamo 4 March. She departed Guantanamo 8 March to continue

Fleet Exercises and gunnery drills on Little Culebra Island on 9 March

then returned to Guantanamo 12 March. WORCESTER then departed

Guantanamo Bay on 16 March for its homeport of Boston. Leave and

liberty for the crew, and shipyard repairs were made in preparation for

her next cruise.

FOURTH MED CRUISE - WORCESTER departed Boston on 22 April

1952, on a cloudy, foggy morning to begin her fourth Mediterranean

Cruise. She headed east into the Atlantic to join other ships of the Task

Force, and proceed to the Mediterranean Sea. The Task Force

consisted of the Carriers CORAL SEA (CVB-43); WASP (CVA-18);

cruisers SALEM (CA- 139); BALTIMORE (CA-68); WORCESTER (CL-

144); fleet tanker PAUKATUCK (AO- 108); and several destroyers,

including ISHERWOOD (DD-520); MULLANEY (DD-528); STODDARD

(DD-566); HALE (DD-642); DENNIS J. BUCKLEY (DDR-808);

NEWMAN K.PERRY (DDR-883); RODMAN (DMS-21) and HOBSON

(DMS-26). About 500 miles south of the Azores, the carrier WASP,

destroyer’s minesweepers HOBSON and RODMAN left our formation,

and staged numerous simulated air attacks on our Task Force to test

our air defenses. The WASP was recovering aircraft from the after-dark

attack, when the flanking plane-guard HOBSON and the Carrier WASP

collided while making a heading change, which resulted in the bow of

the WASP cutting the HOBSON in half, between the stacks, and sinking

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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it. The collision also resulted in extensive damage to the bow of the

WASP. After survivor recovery operations were completed, the WASP

limped back to the New York Navy Shipyard for repairs. Over 100 lives

were lost on the HOBSON. The Task Force then continued on to the

Mediterranean. The ship was escorted thru the Strait of Gibraltar by

dozens of dolphins, and arrived at Oran, Algeria on 3 May, the first port-

of-call for the 1952 summer Cruise with the 6th Fleet. The next stop

was Arancia Bay, Sardinia, 14-19 May; then to St. Jean Beaulieu,

France, 23-31 May. Next was a run past Stromboli, thru the Strait of

Messina, and dropped anchor at Taranto, Italy, 2-5 June; then down to

Messina, Sicily, 6- 10 June. We then joined with NATO Forces at Malta

on 13 June for a NATO “MLEDLANDEX” Exercise, and then departed

for Naples, Italy, 16-22 June. While docking in Naples, an old WW-I

Battleship was departing from the other side of the pier. The next stop

was Cannes, France, 2-15 July. On Bastille Day, the Carrier USS

WASP arrived after being repaired by removing a section of the bow

from HORNET while it was in dry-dock at New York. Then WASP was

placed in dry-dock and the damaged section was removed. Then the

matching bow section from the HORNET was welded in place on the

WASP. The Carrier TARAWA (CVA-40) could then be relieved, after

being held over until the WASP could be repaired and return to the 6th

Fleet operation. Departed Cannes, enroute Athens, Greece, 24-31 July,

then on to Izmir, Turkey, 1-6 August WORCESTER then re-joined the

NATO Forces for an exercise at Suda Bay, Crete on 8-9 August, then

visited Tripoli, Libya, 13-18 August, then back to Taranto, Italy, 23 Aug-

3 September She then visited Barn, Italy, 14-16 September, and

witnessed a beautiful fireworks display. The next stop was Trieste,

F.T.T., 17-19 September, which was still a joint-occupied city. Then on

to beautiful Venice, Italy 20-24 September She pulled anchor in the

Grand Canal in Venice on 24 September and headed for Gibraltar,

B.C.C., arriving 2 October She then bid the 6th Fleet good-by and

departed Gibraltar on 5 October she was again escorted thru the Strait

of Gibraltar by dozens of dolphins, arriving Boston on 17 October 1952,

to complete WORCESTER’s Fourth Mediterranean Cruise. After a brief

stay in Boston, she got underway again with Cruiser Division Four, for

exercises in the North Atlantic for two weeks, then returning to Boston

for shipyard overhaul until the spring of 1953.

1953

WORCESTER departed Boston on 7 April for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

on a summer Midshipman Cruise, arriving Guantanamo 11 April, then

on to Port Au Prince on 2 May, back to Guantanamo on 4 May, then out

to San Juan, Puerto Rico on 16 May, and back to Guantanamo on 19

May. She departed for Boston on 22 May and arrived Boston 26 May.

WORCESTER then departed Boston for Norfolk, arriving 9 June, and

then returned to Boston 22 June. She departed Boston again on 7 July

1953 for Norfolk, arriving 9 July. WORCESTER then departed Norfolk

12 July on a Midshipman Cruise. The first stop was Bergen, Norway on

27 July; Copenhagen, Denmark on 3 August; then Guantanamo Bay,

Cuba on 26 August; and returned to Norfolk on 3 September. She then

departed Norfolk and arrived Boston 5 September 1953. In September

1953, WORCESTER departed Boston to take part in “Operation

Mariner”, in North Atlantic waters, which was the largest peacetime

Naval Maneuvers on record.

FIFTH MED CRUISE - A month later, on 9 October, she joined the Sixth

Fleet at Cagliari, to begin her fifth tour of duty in the Mediterranean Sea.

Ports visited were: Istanbul, Turkey on 21 October; Athens, Greece on

28 October; Suda Bay, Crete on 31 October; La Spezia, on 10

November; Golfe Juan, France on 21 November; Naples, Italy on 3

December; Cannes, France on 28 December

1954

Worcester continued her fifth Mediterranean cruise arriving in

Barcelona, Spain on 9 January, 1954; Lisbon, Portugal on 19 January

Worcester then returned to Boston on 3 February, 1954 to complete the

WORCESTER’s fifth Mediterranean Cruise. WORCESTER then left

Boston for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arriving 14 February; then

departed for New York, arriving 30 March, then back to Boston on 7

April, 1954 for a shipyard overhaul period. She departed Boston on 7

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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June for Norfolk, arriving 11 June, then returned to Boston on 22 June.

She then departed for Bar Harbor, Maine, arriving 3 July, and returned

to Boston on 6 July, then on to Norfolk 9 July. On 12 July 1954,

WORCESTER departed Norfolk with 320 NROTC Midshipmen on an

eight week training cruise to Dublin, Ireland on 26 July; Portsmouth,

England on 4 August; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on 26 Aug; and returned

to Norfolk on 2 September Then departed Norfolk and arrived Boston 4

September, and then back to Norfolk to off-load ammunition. Then she

returned to Boston on 28 September for a shipyard overhaul period.

1955

On 24 February 1955, WORCESTER departed Boston for Guantanamo

Bay, Cuba, arriving 2 March for refresher training. Then departed for

Port Au Prince, arriving 19 March then returned to Guantanamo 21

March. She departed for Boston with a stop at Mayport, Florida on 9

April, and arrived Boston on 16 March 1955.

SIXTH MED CRUISE - On 4 May 1955, WORCESTER departed

Boston and embarked on her Sixth Mediterranean Cruise for NATO and

the Sixth Fleet operations, and arrived at Gibraltar 14 May. Other ports

visited were: Lisbon, Portugal on 18 May; San Raphael, France on 28

May; Naples, Italy on 1 June; Cannes, France on 15 June; Marseille,

France on 1 July; Toulon, France on 8 July; Palermo, Italy on 22 July;

Rhodes, Crete on 5 August; Salonika on 11 August; Leghorn on 25

August; Barcelona, Spain on 10 September; Gibraltar, BCC on 17

September, then back to Boston on 30 September 1955, to complete

the Sixth and Last Mediterranean Cruise for the WORCESTER. After a

short yard overhaul period, she departed Boston 30 October for

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba arriving 4 November; then for a good-will visit

to Kingston, Jamaica on 11 November; then back to Boston on 22

November in time for Thanksgiving for her crew and Liberty in her home

port of Boston for the last time.

Pacific Fleet Service

1956

Figure 27 – Worcester in Long Beach, 1956 (NHC)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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On January 18, 1956, WORCESTER departed Boston for the last time,

passed west-bound thru the Panama Canal on 23 January, and arrived

at her new home port of Long Beach, California on 1 February 1956.

After staying in port for a month, WORCESTER departed Long Beach

as a unit of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and embarked on a four month tour

to the Far East, an area it had previously visited under less friendly

conditions in 1950. Ports visited were: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 5

March; Yokosuka, Japan on 22 March; Kobe, Japan on 9 April; Hong

Kong on 28 April; Subic Bay on 7 May; Manila, Philippines on 19 May;

Keelung, Formosa on 23 May; Buckner Bay, Okinawa on 2 June;

Yokohama, Japan on 9 June; Yokosuka, Japan on 15 June, then

headed east for Pearl Harbor on 1 July. On 8 July the “WANDERING-

WOE” as her crew affectionately called their “Home Away From Home”,

returned to Long Beach, where officers and enlisted men enjoyed

stateside leave and liberty. She then departed for San Francisco,

arriving 10 August; and returned to Long Beach 16 August 1956. For

the next few months, WORCESTER acted as a training ship and

participated in three Naval Reserve Cruises. Reservists from six Naval

District’s were given an insight to shipboard life, as well as extensive

military training. On 19 October 1956, she entered the Long Beach

Naval Shipyard, where she underwent her regular overhaul period.

1957

At the end of this overhaul 4 February 1957, preparations were made to

begin refresher training under commander Fleet Training Group, San

Diego, California. On 9 April 1957, WORCESTER departed Long

Beach for her final cruise. A Far East Cruise, serving as Ambassadors

of Good Will for the United States. She visited Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on

16 April; Kobe, Japan on 4 May; Yokosuka, Japan on 11 May;

Shimoda, Japan on 17 May; Buckner Bay, Okinawa on 25 May;

Nagasaki, Japan on 3 June, Yokosuka, Japan on 21 June; Sasebo,

Japan on 8 July; Yokosuka, Japan on 22 July; Hong Kong on 6 August;

Hokadate, Japan on 12 September; Yokohama, Japan on 17

September; Yokosuka Japan on 20 September; and Kobe, Japan on 29

September. She then made a last return trip to Long Beach, arriving on

19 October 1957.

Reserve Fleet Service

1958

On 2 September 1958, WORCESTER departed Long Beach and

steamed for the Mare Island Naval Shipyard to commence the de-

activation process. On December 19, 1958, WORCESTER was de-

commissioned at Mare Island, California and placed in reserve status,

“Moth-Balled”, for re-activation if needed, and berthed at San

Francisco. She was transferred to Bremerton, Washington, Naval

Shipyard before being struck from the U.S. Navy list of active ships in

December 1, 1970. The Worcester and her sister, Roanoke, had been

considered for several different projects including conversion to

missiles and as fleet flagships, but the Reserve Fleet was viewed as a

drain on Navy maintenance finances. She was then sold for scrap to the

Zidell Explorations Inc., of Portland, Oregon on July 5, 1972 for

$495,950.

Figure 28 – USS Missouri, USS Roanoke, USS Worcester (NHC)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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The revolutionary light cruiser that never had a chance to prove herself

in her designed role had proved herself and her crew well, in a

secondary role in Korea, was broken up for scrap. She was the last of

the “All-Gun”, Light Cruiser concept designs, the new cruisers being

armed with missiles.

Final Disposition

Approximately 200 tons of her armor plate was sent to the Fermi

National Accelerator Lab (www.fnal.gov) in Batavia, Illinois, west of

Chicago, and the armor is being used for absorption shielding in the

particle accelerator. USS ROANOKE (CL-145) also supplied 200 tons

of armor plate, along with the Heavy Cruisers MACON (CA-132); FALL

RIVER (CA-131) and BALTIMORE (CA-68) with 300 tons of armor plate

each. Five Essex Class Carriers; PRINCETON (CVA-37); ANTIETAM

(CVA-36); BUNKER HILL (C VA-1 7); PHILIPPINE SEA (CVA-47); and

LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CVA-39), each supplied 600 tons of armor plate to

Fermi Lab.

Awards

The WORCESTER was awarded two battle stars for her “Korean War

Service” – in theater August 28, 1950 – October 28, 1950

North Korean Aggression (8/28-9/12 & 9/18-10/23)

Inchon Landing (9/13-9/17)

Commanding Officers

T. B. Dugan, Captain USN 6/26/48 - 6/24/49

R. E. Wilson, Captain USN 6/24/49 – 6/6/50

H. H. Henderson, Captain USN

6/6/50 – 5/4/51

C.

A. Buchanan, Captain USN 5/4/51 to 1/5/52

J. B. Cochran, Captain USN 1/5/52 to 12/12/52

H. H. McIlhenny, Captain USN 12/12/52 to 2/8/54

H. J. Armstrong, Captain USN

2/8/54 to 5/3/55

G.H. Wales, Captain USN 5/3/55 to 8/1/56

R. C. Williams, Captain USN 8/1/56 to 12/19/57

T. W. Hogan, Captain USN 12/19/57 to 12/19/58

Figure 29 - Venice 1950 (EAV)

Figure 30 - Deck Operations (EAV)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 31 - Midship - weapon systems locations

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Figure 32 – Foremast, Forward Stack, Stub Mast and Aft Stack, 3”/

50 Mount in Foreground (JAJ)

Figure 33 - Foremast, Foreward Stack, Mk 37 Director in

foreground (WL)

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Weapons

Main Battery – 6”/47 Caliber Guns

Figure 34 – Section through 6”/47 dual-purpose two-gun turret

(NavPers 10797-A)

6”/47 Caliber Mark 16 Dual Purpose Gun Characteristics

Date of Design 1943

Gun Length 289.0 inches

Bore Length 282.3 inches

Rate of fire 12-20 rounds per minute

Powder Charge Charge 32 lbs

Cartridge 28.2 lbs

Total weight 60.2 lbs

Maximum Pressure 18.5 tons

Projectile Velocity 2,500 feet per second

Approximate barrel life 1,500 rounds

Maximum Range (130 lb HE

shell)

26,000 yards

Turret weight 208.5 tons

Gun elevation range -5 to +78 degrees

Elevation rate 14.8 degrees per second

Turret train range Approx. -150 to +150 degrees

Train rate 25 degrees per second

Loading Angle Any

Available Shells 130 lb APC

105 lb HCC, HE, AA

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Figure 35 – Plan view of 6”/47 two-gun turret gun house (NavPers

10797-A)

Figure 36 – Plan view of upper projectile flat in 6”/47 two-gun turret

(NavPers 10797-A)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

Page 30

Figure 37 – Plan view of powder –handling flat in 6”/47 two-gun

turret (NavPers 10797-A)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

Page 31

Secondary/Anti-Aircraft Battery – 3”/50 Cal.

Guns

Figure 38 - 3"/50 Cal. Twin Mount (NavPers 10797-A)

Figure 39 - 3"/50 Cal. Twin Mount aboard USS Worcester (WL)

3”/50 Caliber Mark 27 (dual) & Mark 33 (single)

Gun Characteristics

Date of Design 1945

Gun Length 159.7 inches

Bore Length 150.3 inches

Rate of fire 45 rounds per minute

Powder Charge 3.7 pounds

Total weight of shell 24 pounds

Fusing VT

Maximum Pressure 17.0 tons

Projectile Velocity 2,700 feet per second

Approximate barrel life 2.050 rounds

Maximum Range (15 lb HE

shell)

14,600 yards

Maximum AA Ceiling 30,400 feet

Turret weight 31,435 lbs (Mark 34 single)

32,400 lbs (Mark 27 twin)

Gun elevation range -15 to +85 degrees

Elevation rate 30 degrees per second

Turret train range 360 degrees

Train rate 24 degrees per second

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Page 32

Figure 40 - 3"/50Cal. Twin Mount - Personnel Stations (NavPers

10797-A)

USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

Page 33

20mm Guns

Several mounts were installed for the shakedown cruise for gunnery

practice. Some of the mounts were removed when the 3”/50 Caliber

mounts were installed. There were 20mm guns aboard the Worcester

when she was in the Korean theater – almost 8,200 rounds of 20mm

ammunition were used.

Figure 41 - Preparing to fire 20mm Guns (CB)

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Page 34

Radar and Fire Control Directors

Mk 13 Radar – Main Battery Surface Fire

Control

The antennas for this radar system were located on the centerline of the

ship. This radar was used for locating surface targets (See midship

photograph on Figure 31).

Mk 27 Radar – Projectile Ranging

The antennas for this radar system were located on the front of each of

the six turrets between the two gun barrels.

Figure 42 - Mk 27 Radar (ice covered) located between gun barrels

(WL)

Mk 13 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 3cm (X band)

Antenna 8’ x 2’ parabolic

Target acquisition & tracking Antenna was rocked on the

vertical axis

Power 50kW

Range Battleship 40,000 yards

Destroyer – 31,000 yards

Submarine – 10,000 yards

Bomber – 30,000 yards

Manufacturer Western Electric

Mk 27 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 10cm

Antenna 2 1/2’ x 1’ parabolic

Power 50kW

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Mk 37 Gun Fire Control System

The Mk 37 GFCS is made up of 4 main elements: Mk25 Radar, Mk 37

Director, Mk 1A Computer and Mk 6 Stable Element. These devices

function as a system to provide the following functions to the ship’s fire

control:

1. Continuous automatic gun positioning

2. Continuous automatic fuse setting

3. Continuous sight-angle and sight-deflection indication at

the guns

4. Continuous-aim, selected-level and selected crossfire level

5. Star-shell fire control for target illumination

The director using either radar or optics provides the computer with

information on the target’s range, elevation and speed. The computer

uses the stable element as a stable reference point and calculates the

gun orders and fuse setting for the shells to be fired. This was all

accomplished with gears and cams and took into account: the effect of

gravity on the projectile’s path; drift; wind; pitch, roll and forward/

backward movement of the ship and several other factors.

Figure 43 - Mk 37 GFCS Element Interconnection (NavPers 10798-

A)

The following tables and illustrations provide information on each of the

elements of the Mk 37 GCFS.

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Page 36

Figure 44 - Mk 37 Director with Mk 25 Radar (NavPers 10798-A)

Mk 25 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 8cm (X band)

Antenna 60” Parabolic Dish

Target acquisition & tracking Spiral scan for target

acquisition

Power 250kW

Range Up to 150,000 yards

Manufacturer Western Electric

Mk 37 Director Characteristics

Designed 1936

Designed by MIT Radiation Lab

Optics 15’ Stereo Rangefinder

Slewing sight

Targetting telescopes

Tracking Horizontal – up to 400 knots

Vertical – up to 250 knots

Weight 29,700 lbs above deck

10,200 lbs below deck

Crew 6 above deck

6 below deck

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Figure 45 - Mk 37 Director with Mk 25 Radar (left), Mk 63 Gun sight

(center, bottom) (WL)

Figure 46 - Mk 1A Computer (NavPers 10798-A)

Mk 1A Computer Characteristics

Target Speed 15 to 800 knots

Guns Controlled Primary - 6”/47 Cal.DP

Secondary – 3”/50 Cal

Target Type Surface and Aircraft

Weight Over 3000 lbs

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Figure 47 - Mk 6 Stable Element and Mk 1A Computer (NavPers

10798-A)

Figure 48 - Mark-1A Computer (CB)

Manufacturer Ford Instrument Company

Mk 6 Stable Element Characteristics

Purpose: To provide a reference point for ballistic calculations

unaffected by the movement of the ship.

Weight Almost 900 lbs

Gyroscope RPM 8,500

Manufacturer ARMA Corporation

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Mk 56 Gun Director & Mk 35 Radar

Figure 49 - Mk 56 GCFS Diagram (NavPers 10798-A)

Mk 35 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 3 cm

Antenna 48” Parabolic Dish

Target acquisition & tracking Spiral scan for target

acquisition and conical scan

for tracking

Power 50 kW

Range 30, 000 yards

Manufacturer General Electric

Mk 56 GFCS Characteristics

Designed 1943

Designed by MIT Radiation Lab

Optics Slewing sight

Tracking Up to 630 knots, 30° lead

angle

Weight 7,600 lbs above deck

11,500 lbs below deck

Crew 2 above deck

2 below deck

Other elements Mk 42 Ballistics Computer

Mk 30 Gun order computer

Mk 51 Gun sight (backup)

Solution Time Approximately 2 seconds

Guns Controlled Primary - 3”/50 Cal

Secondary – 6”/47 Cal DP

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Figure 50 - Mk 63 GFCS Diagram (NavPers 10798-A)

Mk 63 Gun Director & Mk 34 Radar

Mk 34 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 3 cm

Antenna 30” Parabolic dish mounted on

gun

Target acquisition & tracking Conical scanning

Power 25-35kW

Range 25,000 yards

Manufacturer Western Electric

Mk 63 GFCS Characteristics

Designed Tested 6/1944

Designed by MIT Radiation Lab

Tracking Range 7000 yards, 20° lead

angle, up to +350 or -800

knots

Weight 1975 above deck

2025 below deck

Crew 4 above deck

2 below deck

Other elements Mk 51 director/Mk 29

computing sight

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Page 41

Search Radar

SG-6 - Surface Search

SP - Height Finding

SR-2 – Air Search

SR-6 Air Search

SG-6 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength Xb band – 6,300 mc/s

Antenna Cut paraboloid

Rotation 5 or 15 RPM

Power 125kW

Range Surfaced submarine 12 nm

Destroyer 20 nm

Battleship 22 nm

Manufacturer Raytheon

SP Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 10 cm

Antenna 8’ parabolic dish

Rotation 6 RPM

Power 1000kW

Range 35nm fighter @ 10,000 feet

70 nm bomber @10,000 feet

Manufacturer GE

Other Developed 1942

SR-2 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 50 cm

Antenna 15’ x 5 ½’ cut paraboloid

Power 300 kW

Range 100 nm bomber @10,000 feet

80 nm fighter

Manufacturer RCA

Other Tested 4/1945

Only 18 built

All replaced due to poor

performance

SR-6 Radar Characteristics

Wavelength 25 cm (L Band)

Antenna 10’ x 2 ½’

Rotation 2.5 or 5 RPM

Power 500 kW

Range 100 nm bomber @10,000 feet

80 nm fighter

Manufacturer Westinghouse

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Aircraft

Catapult launched seaplane

The Worcester was one of the last US Navy ships built with catapults

and floatplanes. The catapults were removed before the 2

nd

Med

Cruise and the floatplanes were replaced with helicopters and remote

controlled target drones.

Figure 51 - Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk Seaplane (JB)

Curtiss SC-1 “Seahawk” Characteristics

Role Scouting, gunfire spotting

Crew 1

Entered service 10/1944

Length 36 feet 5 inches

Wingspan 41 feet 0 inches

Height 12 feet 9 inches

Weight (empty/loaded) 6,320/9000 lbs

Engine 1 Wright R-1820 Cyclone

Radial, 1300 HP

Maximum Speed 313 MPH

Combat Range 625 miles

Guns 2 x .50 machine guns

Bombs 650 lbs

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Target Pilotless Aircraft

Figure 52 - Target drone on its catapult (JAJ)

Target Pilotless Aircraft “Target Drone Denny”

Characteristics

Role AAA target practice

Length 9’ 3”

Wingspan 11’ 5 ½”

Weight (empty/loaded) 6,320/9000 lbs

Engine 35 HP

Maximum Speed 140 MPH

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Figure 53 - Target drone maintenance (JAJ)

Figure 54 - Target drone launch (JB)

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Helicopter

Figure 55 - Helicopter operations (EAV)

Sikorsky HO3-S “ Dragonfly” Helicopter Characteristics

Role Scouting, gunfire spotting,

rescue, mine detection

Crew/Passengers 1/3

Deployment started 1946

Length 57’ 8”

Height 12’ 5/16”

Rotor diameter 48’

Weight (empty/loaded) 3,810/5,500 lbs

Engine 1 Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-

5, 450 HP

Maximum Speed 107 MPH

Combat Range 275

Manufacturer Sikorsky

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Figure 56 - Helicopter operations (EAV)

Figure 57 - Helicopter Operations (JB)

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Drawings – Guns & Directors/Main Deck Arrangement

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USS Worcester – CL-144 History and Technical Reference

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Drawings – Inboard Profile

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Drawings - Outboard Profile

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Data

Specifications at commissioning:

Displacement - 14,000 tons

Length - 680 feet

Width - 71 feet

Draft - 26 feet

120,000 SHP – 4 x 620 PSI boilers

Geared steam turbines

4 screws – 12’ 8” diameter

Maximum speed 33 knots at flank speed

Ship's Complement - 1,070 men

Construction cost - $30,000,000

Armament (as built and early 1949):

Main battery:

• 12 x 6-in/47 Mk16 dual purpose guns mounted in six 2-

gun turrets

Secondary battery:

• 5 x dual 3-in/50 Mk27 caliber mounts port side (3-in/50s

were installed in December 1949)

• 5 x dual 3-in/50 Mk27 caliber mounts starboard side

• 1 x dual 3-in/50 Mk27 caliber mount bow

• 2 x single 3-in/50 Mk33 caliber mounts on blisters on

each side of the fantail

• 6 x 20mm dual mounts were installed for gunnery

practice during the shakedown cruise. Some of these

gun mounts were removed when the 3-in/50s were

installed as noted above.

RADAR and Fire Control (as built and early 1949):

Main Search Radars:

• SR-2 - type radar - located on the mainmast

(removed due to performance issues and replaced

by the SR-6)

• SR-6 - type radar - located on a stub mast forward of

aft stack – moved to mainmast when SR-2 was

removed, stub mast was removed at that time

• SG-6 - surface search radar - located on the

mainmast

• SP-1 - height-finding radar - located on the aftermast

Fire Control Radars/Fire Control Systems:

Qty

Radar

System

Fire Control

System

Weapon System and

Location of Director

2

Mk 13

Mod 0

Mk 37

Mod 77

Surface fire control via 2

centerline Mk 37s

4

Mk 25

Mod 2

Mk 37

Mod 77

6" guns (2 on centerline,

2 on waist)

4

Mk 35

Mod 2

Mk 56

Mod 10

3"/50 guns, except bow

and aft mounts

6

Mk 27

Mod 0

--

Mounted on 6" turrets -

projectile velocity and

ranging

1

Mk 34

Mod 6

Mk 63

Mod 11

Bow 3"/50

2

Mk 34

Mod 6

Mk 63

Mod 11

Aft 3"/50s

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Armor:

• 5” tapering to 3" Main Belt

• 1" main deck with 3 1/2" overbelt to cover magazines

and machinery

• 6 ½” Face, 4" crown and 2-3" rear on Turrets

• 5” Barbettes

• 4" Bulkheads

• 5” Conning Tower

References

Friedman, Norman; U.S. Cruisers – An Illustrated Design

History, October 1984

Friedman, Norman, US Naval Weapons, 1983

Friedman, Norman, Naval Radar, 1982

www.history.navy.mil/danfs - U.S. Navy, Dictionary of

American Naval Fighting Ships

www.history.navy.mil – US Navy History Branch web site – also

has online copy of History of United States Naval Operations:

Korea the two maps of Korea are found there

www.warships1.com – many photographs are available at this

web site as well as information on the ships

www.navweapons.com - information on naval weapon systems

www.ussworcester.com – USS Worcester Association’s web site

– contains an enhanced version of the DANFS entry for the

Worcester

US National Archives, College Park, MD – microfilm of the

ship’s plans

www.eugeneleeslover.com – website containing information on

naval artillery and gun fire control systems – has posted NavPers

10797-A and 10798-A which contain information on the

Worcester’s guns and gun fire control systems.

Photographs - Credits

Cover – US Navy, Historical Branch, NH91832

Title – US Navy, Historical Branch, NH97344

Dedication – John Janowski, Private Collection

Other photographs & drawings as noted in the captions:

EAV – Eugene Visconti, private collection

JAJ – John A. Janowski, Jr., private collection

WL – William Lindeman, private collection

JB – Jack Beard, private collection

RM – Russell Maxwell, private collection

NAVPERS – US Navy Publication (scanned figures from

www.eugeneleeslover.com

)

Drawings

The line drawings in this book were created from microfilmed

copies of the builder’s plans.

Maps

• World Map “Approximate Course of USS Worcester from 3 May

1950 to 21 November 1950 during cruise around the world”

Worcester’s Rooster Souvenir Edition

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Page 55

• Map of Korea “The Period of Crisis” – history.navy.mil online

“History of United States Naval Operations: Korea”

• Map of Korea “The Advance into North Korea - history.navy.mil

online “History of United States Naval Operations: Korea”

Figure 58 - Elizabeth Taylor visits the Worcester (EAV)

Figure 59 - USS Worcester - CL-144 (EAV)

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